Safe driving: Top 5 tips to overcome the fear of driving

How long have you been driving a car here in the Philippines? Can you say that you are now a better driver than before? Do you ever experience feeling stressed out when driving in EDSA and when passing through expressways?  Does your body ever experience feeling nervous and anxious about going to a place that you have never been too?

Driving at night and during bad weather. Well, we at Philkotse.com totally understand your feelings. that is why we would like to help you overcome your fear of driving by getting to the root cause of the problem. Here are some tried and tested tips to help you become more confident and less anxious while on the road.

Most drivers who feel afraid and nervous on the road are newbies

1. Stay away from bully drivers

Some of us get very anxious and nervous when we encounter bully drivers on the road, which is very common here in the Philippines. Due to heavy traffic, most drivers are always in a rush to get ahead from other vehicles even if it sometimes means breaking the law or getting into an accident.  

Honestly rude drivers are kinda scary and difficult to deal with. However, you really have no choice but to deal with them. What you can do is to let them go ahead and ignore them. Because if you try to get even it may cause you to get into an accident which can be very difficult to settle.

Constantly practicing will make your driving experience a lot better over time

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2. Always be in control of the situation

If you are the driver it means that you are the captain of the ship and you should be in control of your driving. Being a driver also means that you have a bigger responsibility to your passengers, to the pedestrian and also to other vehicles around you. Do not allow anyone to be a backseat driver and by telling you what to do and how to drive.

If you are the driver it means that you are the captain of the ship and you should be in control of your driving

Stay away from backseat drivers because they are out there to ruin your day. You need to address this issue with your passengers because annoying passengers can cause you to lose your confidence and focus on the road.

Backseat drivers, in general, are very irritating in the sense that they tell you how to do things behind the wheel. Well, it is quite common here in the Philippines especially if your companions also knows how to drive.

If you happen to be with a backseat driver better tell that person to refrain from making any comments while you are driving because it makes you uncomfortable and you tend to feel more nervous than can cause road accidents.

>>> Read more: [Philkotse pick] What are the 4 best cars for beginners?

3. Build up your confidence

Driving takes confidence and courage and it takes time to build those attributes. First, you need to have more practice before driving on busy roads. Have someone who is more skillful than you by your side.

Therefore, you would not feel that nervous or scared especially when driving in open highways where the vehicles are running faster than their usual speed. Never stay in fast lanes unless you have plans of overtaking.

Also, you need to hone your driving skills through constant practice. If you feel that you still need to learn more then go ahead and enroll in a driving school so that a professional driving instructor can answer all your questions and teach you techniques on how to drive like an expert.

Driving takes confidence and courage and it takes time to build those attributes

Even if you are already driving there is nothing wrong in polishing your skills by enrolling in a driving school. It is better to get lessons from a professional driving instruction than from someone who just knows how to drive.

>>> Check out a list of driving schools in the Philippines and related information.

4. Choose your routes

It is okay for a driver to accept his weaknesses on the road because this type of attitude lowers the risks of accidents by at least fifty percent. Remember that you have the power to choose on what route to take when you are driving.

Nobody should force you to pass by EDSA or other busy highways if you are scared and intimidated with the fast-moving buses and other types of vehicle that can cause you to feel nervous and scared at the same time.

You have to remember that learning how to drive on challenging roads and main highways do not happen overnight, you need to muster the courage and increase your level of confidence in order to become successful.

It is okay for you to take less difficult routes in order to avoid getting nervous

5. Do not force yourself to drive if you are not up to

Driving will require you to have the right amount of focus and presence of mind on the road. That is why if you are feeling sad, angry, nervous or too emotional to go behind the wheel then it is best for you not to push through. When our body and mind are not conditioned to drive then we are at risk of making poor decisions on the road that may lead to accidents.

>>> Must read the guide to balance road rage and teen problems.

Also just to add, did you know that most drivers lose their confidence on the road every time they get involved in an accident no matter how small it is? They feel like they are no longer capable of driving and they end up being passengers or commuters instead.

Driving is a skill that may come easy or natural in some individuals but all drivers have the right to feel scared or nervous sometimes. But you have to remember that it is very important to for you to build your confidence slowly but surely so you can muster the courage to drive alone.