I‘ve been silent about it but yeah, I’ve started driving again. I’ve been driving everyday going to work and driving back home since January 2010. After a minor accident last year which is still fresh in my mind and still a big deal for me despite only having that teeny little dent and a 2cm hole in front of my car, I gathered whatever courage left and held the steering wheel again. But I am still afraid – if your heart is beating at least twice the maximum normal heart beat rate, it is impossible to forget that moment.
For a while after that I’ve been the eternal passenger or to put it in a different light, my husband had been my personal driver for months. I refused to touch the steering wheel again unless the drive is short (like in nearby supermarket) and only if it’s Friday morning when most of the people are still asleep and I have the roads all to myself. I feared changing lanes, merging, gaining speed, the sudden cutting of vehicles in front of me, flashing of lights of stupid drivers behind. I was scared and scarred for life.
I shouldn’t have spent $$$ on my driver’s license in Japan if I knew I wouldn’t get on the drivers seat again.
Anyway my husband gave me an ultimatum. Either I drive again or we will sell the car and I’ll have to endure taking the bus to work everyday. Think of the almost 50C summers in July-September! I did that last year and got toasted outside. M got a new job last January and his company provided him a car so our own little car was gathering dust in the parking lot.
So to cut the long story short, I’ve gathered some guts and start to feel confident again, erasing my fear slowly each day. This is Dubai where the traffic situation varies DAILY – sometimes there are jerks in the road, along with heavy traffic and sometimes drive is as smooth as silk.
I’ve come into terms with my phobia and can even play my favorite songs and sing to them. Bring on the David Guetta and Lady Gaga CD.
Grace (6)
jahon (6)
Charlotte | Life's a Charm! (4)
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement (4)
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you!
And how’s the new job going for M? Better hours?
Hey grace,
I can totally imagine how you feel. We in a bad accident with my mom on the passenger seat next to me a few months back. the car was written off and mom has been having palpitations ever since! It took me a huge effort in coaxing back into coming out…!
Just be confident – you’ll be alright… Lady Gaga is surely one way to beat axienty attacks on road…also picture urself as someone in a video game, it helps u drive a little defensive..
U’ll be alright… Good luck though!
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Good on ya for getting back in the saddle.
Although with Dubai traffic, anyone would be a bit anxious .)
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Well done for getting back on the road – and Lady Gaga should see you through!
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So proud that you are working through your phobia
I have to admit that I am quite jumpy in the car. Since our accident several years ago I twitch at everything, especially when I am the passenger. There is just something that changes after you are knocked over 6 lanes of traffic into oncoming cars. Keep it up and it does get easier with time. Hugs coming your way.
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After i bumped the car to the light post, really had the hard time to get back to driving practice again. I was about to park it but instead of the break i stepped on the accelerator, so bad! As in na ginerbiyos ko oi…
‘Till now, still afraid to hold the steering wheel…maybe i should quit drinking coffee…hehe
Really nice article I must say.. It happens when a person got bad accident and it creates a horrible image or fear in person’s mind which called phobia.. Several people are suffering from different kind of phobias. But by taking the proper precautions we can overcome the phobias .
I like the article ….
Good for you. Soon you will be driving without any worries
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Wishful thinking–that I’m filthy rich so that I can afford a chaffeur and be a passenger forever.
I’m also trying to overcome that phobia Grace, now I’m taking driving lessons again because I don’t have a choice my office is too far and my transpo costs is equivalent to a 4WD amortization . It’s really bad when my early years of driving flashback again where I try to save the dog and bump the child instead.
OMG, please tell me nothing bad happened to that child!! My worst fear is an accident that involves a human being!!
Several people are suffering from different kind of phobias. But by taking the proper precautions we can overcome the phobias .
Good thing it’s not that major mao undang ko drive balo naka Pinas kinahanglan jud grabe ka kaalerto kay dili lang sakyanan imo bantayan . Pero dari balik na pud ko kay kinahanglan jud kay grabe ka layo ako office mao nagdriving na ko hopefully unta makakuha nako ug lisensiya within this year just started by the way passed already the parking and signal test.
Well good for you Grace!! It’s definitely scary to face something like that, especially when you’ve been in an accident and still remember everything scary about it.
I know your a good driver and I have no doubt you’ll pick up everything as quickly as if you’ve never been away
One day at a time my friend!
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It’s terrible when road accidents happen and most people may not feel confident behind the wheel any more. Sometimes one can have the same problem after a long break of driving for long period too. My advice is take some refresher driving lessons. I’m from UK not from Dubai but I’m sure the driving school will offer some sort of refresher lessons. It can be very helpful getting back your confidence.
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Well done for biting the bullet and going for it. I’m a driving instructor here in Bournemouth, England, and I have quite a few pupils who come to me for refresher or ‘confidence booster’ lessons. If there’s a local black spot you’re not sure of, going over it with a professional who can explain things calmly to you might help. Keep at it, the more you drive the more natural it will become.
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Really nice article I must say.Several people are suffering from different kind of phobias.It happens when a person got bad accident and it creates a horrible image or fear in person’s mind which called phobia.