Car Envy and the Phobic Driver

Enough already; it's time for me to start driving. That's the thought that recently went through my head as I waited for the bus in Miami. I was running late, but low on cash. With no cash machines in sight and only $1.50 on me, I opted for a frugal bus ride. (No quick, but expensive taxi ride for me!) Unfortunately, the bus was late and I was late for an appointment.

Waiting for the bus, I looked and hoped for friends in cars and I stared at other drivers with outright envy! My destination was so close; yet so far.

And I thought about a quote from Black Girl in Paris, a novel by Shay Youngblood.


"You can't stop living your life. Everybody is scared, but you can't let fear rule your life."

--Black Girl in Paris, a novel by Shay Youngblood. page 45

Clearly, I've let fear rule my life for too long. I arrived for my 11:00 appointment at 11:20. Not good!

Meanwhile, this August 2003 report from the BBC is also helpful:


"Driving on motorways causes millions of people to panic, research suggests.
As many as one-third of drivers admit to being anxious while using motorways, with older and younger women said to be the most affected.

Around 12% of 1,078 motorists surveyed by the RAC Foundation said they went out of their way to avoid motorways.

Symptoms of "motorway anxiety disorder" include increased heart rate and raised blood pressure, making people more prone to mistakes, the foundation said.


Other symptoms are excessive sweating, tension, headaches, stomach cramps and digestive problems.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

The most anxious 12% experienced anxiety levels more significant than if they were attending a job interview, visiting the dentist or going on a first date.

Professional male drivers between 28-55 tended to experience the lowest levels of motorway anxiety disorder, the foundation said.

Nervous drivers are more likely to make mistakes such as leaving the indicator on, driving at excessively low or fast speeds, staying in low gears and driving to close to the car in front.

Sarah Forrow, campaigns manager of the RAC Foundation, described the anxiety levels as worrying.

She said: "For many nervous drivers who venture onto the motorway there is a high risk of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"They drive in an indecisive way which reinforces their fears, annoys other drivers, and can increase the risk of accidents on the motorway.

"We would urge anxious drivers to drive with a calm passenger, leave plenty of space between their vehicle and other vehicles, and practise their driving regularly."

Calming music

Conrad King, psychologist for the RAC Foundation, said for people to experience anxiety on the motorway was "quite natural and understandable"

He said: "This anxiety becomes a problem when drivers fail to get enough practice on the motorways, and so don't ever fully eliminate their fears.

"Some drivers build up their fears so much that they create new completely irrational fears which serve to reinforce their original anxiety."

He added anxiety can be managed through appropriate post-test driver training, regular driving practice, breathing exercises and listening to calming music."