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Afraid to drive.
I am female, 16 and have my permit. I want my licence so bad, I want to go out and do things without my parents. Now, I'm not afraid to drive as much as I'm afraid that I'll get hurt or worse, hurt someone else. I don't know why, but I think about that and I feel like I never want to get my licence. But I want to be able to drive on my own I just have a big fear holding me back and I don't know how to get rid of it! Any ideas to help me get over this fear and just go do it, just go out and drive? Thanks
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Want to answer more questions in the Technology category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Cars?
Yeah, tooling around in a 2000 or more pound piece of metal can be scary in a sense because of the damage you can do. But just relax, always look over your shoulder to make lane changes (can't trust your mirrors because they have blind spots) and stay within the speed limit, leave a good gap between you and the car in front of you and you should be golden.
One more thing: when at the front of a lefthand turn, when the light changes to green, wait a second before proceeding into the intersection in order to ensure that no drunk drivers or felons fleeing the cops are speeding through it. I have been driving for 35 years and haven't had any accidents. So you can take my advice to the bank.
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Haha! I can relate. I didn't get my license till the summer after senior year for the same reason. The best way I would say to get over your fear of driving is to drive with someone your comfortable with. Perhaps you could take driver's ed at your school if they offer it. My boyfriend actually taught me to drive because I got uber nervous and he made me comfortable. My parents would get upset over silly mistakes... Just gotta keep going. Good Luck!
xoxo,
dottie4
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The advice given by the others are all good. I'll just add the following.
Lee Iacocca the former President of Chrysler Corporation once said; "You can Lead, Follow or Get out of the way". One can interpret this statement in different ways which makes this statement a favorite of mine.
Applying this statement to your question; you could interpret for you to think about this. No one wants to be responsible for hurting someone else, therefore you are going to drive responsibly. By driving responsibly you can be a leader and not follow the ways of other young people who drive irresponsibly.
If you are responsible and show others the way you are a leader and not a follower. What is left is fear. Will fear of the unknown cause you to step aside, which leads to another statement I like: "The only thing you have to fear is fear itself". You can influence the future by being responsible but I don't believe you can change the future, not after what I experienced.
I never saw myself being disabled by a car wreck. I have over 3 million safe miles of driving. Then one day I'm sitting at a traffic light and wham I'm rear ended by someone doing 60 mph. My injuries are not disfiguring but they were and are career ending all because someone else was in a hurry. I always knew this was possible I just never felt it would happen to me and therefore never let it paralyze me with fear.
So what you have to decide is will you:"Lead, Follow or Get out of the way".
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I turned sixteen this year and at first I felt the same way you were. I hated driving because it wasn't a precise thing. Also the other drivers on the road I have learned aren't very... focused.
What I have to keep in my head every time I drive is that there is nothing I can do more than to just keep on my side of the road and break when I see another car. Now this works for me because I live out in the country and since then ( a couple months of driving now) I have really improved, I no longer look in my mirror to see the yellow line, I do the speed limit and I rarely stop when I meet another car.
The thing is you can't do anything more then your best. Always keep to your side of the road. That's my main advice, with practice you'll learn its not that hard and will increasingly become more confident with your driving.
As for parents, they are there, whether we want them to or not. At first my dad and mom would have to tell me exactly what to do ( got on my last nerve) but they DO know more about driving then me. But now they hardly say anything now that I have learned how and in a few more months I'll get my license, just like you will. For now put up with your parents and just try to take their advice.
CD
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Trust me, I know EXACTLY how you feel! I passed my test a few months ago and have been driving since, but I still have this problem.
The best thing you could do, is go with a professional driving school (I went with the AA being in England)this way, you can learn, and theyhave control of the car too, so if you mess up they can save everyone, like superhero's! They also will let you know when you are ready to do your test.
Other than that, just be confident and careful, stick to the speed limits, stop when your meant to stop and be aware of everything around you and you will be fine, feel free to inbox me for advice.
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Personally, I feel safer knowing that I'm in control of the car and not sitting in the passenger sear putting my life in someone else's hands. Trust yourself.
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