A 26-year-old never obtained a driver's license after plans were derailed by the pandemic and has relied on parents and a boyfriend to provide all transportation. The boyfriend's new office job will remove that support, prompting the person to consider moving to a walkable city instead of learning to drive. The person fears piloting a vehicle that could cause substantial harm if mishandled. The reply acknowledges similar driving anxiety but describes practical coping strategies: avoiding pressured lane changes, limiting distractions on unfamiliar routes, treating any alcohol as disqualifying, and gaining perspective that small mistakes seldom cause catastrophe.
"I'm 26 and I'm terrified to drive. I never got my license, and when I was initially planning to get it, the pandemic happened, so I never did. Then, I just kept putting it off. For my entire life, either my parents or boyfriend drove me places. Now my boyfriend is starting a new office job and won't be available to drive me around anymore."
"But I also drive regularly. So there's hope. Now, yes, I do refuse to change lanes under any amount of pressure, or in a way that involves shoving my car in front of another one. I'll just keep driving until I get to a point where I can get to where I need to go without risking my life. I won't talk on the phone if I'm going somewhere new and need to concentrate."
"I'm with you! I feel like nobody talks enough about the "piloting a giant machine that could cause a lot of harm if I do it wrong or make a mistake" part of driving. How are so many people so casual about it? As you can tell, I have my fair share of driving anxiety. But I also drive regularly. So there's hope."
Read at Slate Magazine
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