by Claire Lumb (23 Nov 05)

Ten million drivers in the UK are so nervous about driving that it prevents them from making effective use of the roads, and affects their daily lives. They suffer from "Driving Anxiety Disorder", and sources of anxiety include motorways, busy urban networks and bad weather conditions.

The RAC Foundation's research shows that both young and elderly female drivers suffer the highest levels of anxiety, while professional male drivers between 28 and 55 are least likely to suffer. Tailgating is the biggest fear for both men and women on motorways. Almost half of female drivers fear breaking down on the motorway, with another 28% worrying most about HGV overtaking. The speed and density of traffic in cities such as London frightens many women so much that they give up driving completely. Anxiety can lead drivers to make mistakes, to drive too slowly or even to speed out of panic, all of which can reinforce a negative driving experience.

The Foundation is supporting National Anxiety Disorders Awareneness Week to reassure drivers that they are not alone, and to offer advice and support. It has identified three main groups of anxious drivers: Stressed Survivors, Anxious Avoiders, and Phobic Forsakers.

Stressed Survivors find driving an ordeal but stick with it. They fear getting lost, breaking down or being intimidated by other drivers and get easily upset behind the wheel.

Anxious Avoiders will go out of their way to avoid any situations that make them feel nervous, such as motorways. 20% of women avoid motorways completely, adding hundreds of miles a year to their journeys.

Phobic Forsakers have given up driving completely after developing a phobic response to everyday driving situations such as crossing a bridge or witnessing an accident. As many as one in three people involved in non-fatal accidents have post-traumatic stress disorder, persistent anxiety, depression, and phobias one year after the incident.

"It's easy to believe that every other road user is a confident, capable driver, but it's simply not the case," says Sheila Rainger of the RAC Foundation. "In fact, one in every three drivers we surveyed admitted that they felt anxious and stressed about driving on motorways. Driving anxiety is entirely treatable and there is lots of help available."

The Foundation says that the first step is for anxious drivers to try some self-help tips. Stressed drivers should relax before every journey, plan the route to avoid getting lost, check all equipment in the car, leave lots of time for journeys. In addition, anxious motorists should consider getting advanced training to improve confidence.

"Nervous drivers may be qualified to be on the road but lack the confidence," says Vince Yearley, a spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists. "Our network of IAM volunteers around the UK are used to dealing with drivers who may have not been at the wheel for many years, perhaps because a partner always drove, and they have been recently bereaved. They offer friendly advice and sound driving techniques: the result is often that nervous drivers gain the experience they need, in a constructive and supportive environment."

The RAC Foundation recommends that Phobic Forsakers seek expert advice from a group like the National Phobics Society. Sympathetic support from an expert in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be very helpful and put phobic drivers back on the road to recovery.

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