How to Increase Your Confidence Behind the Wheel

People have different attitudes toward driving. For some, it is relaxing and entertaining, and they love spending time behind the wheel. Others get stressed out over traffic jams or have a fear of highways. We are all different, but confident drivers (not over-confident) are less likely to get involved in accidents. Below you will find a few tips on how to become a better, more organized, and relaxed driver.

 

Learn to Plan Your Route

One of the stress triggers of drivers is being late due to the traffic. If you spend a few minutes planning your route, maybe run through Google Maps to see the scenes you are going to see, you will be more familiar with the route, even if you have never been on a long drive before. Plan your stops and your alternative routes, so you feel confident that you have everything covered. Get some relaxing music on, just in case you do get stuck in traffic.

 

Know Your Anxiety Triggers

It is also crucial that you understand what stresses you out before the drive. If it is being afraid of running late, allow an extra 5-10 minutes. If you arrive early, you can reward yourself with a hot drink or a muffin, and if there is a hold-up, you can still make it. Other people simply don’t like busy roads, and if that is you, you should try to find a back way to avoid anxiety behind the wheel.

 

Take Advanced Courses

If you have had a couple of near misses or bad feedback, chances are that your confidence has suffered. It is your responsibility to build yourself up again. Contact an advanced driving course provider who will take you out, assess your style, and provide you with expert recommendations on how to become a better and safer driver.

 

 

Use a SatNav

If you are preparing for a long drive alone, you might already feel bored and lonely. Using a SatNav will help you make the most out of your journey, and you will not get confused and distracted, missing the junctions because you are too caught up in your own thoughts. For some people, navigation systems provide extra reassurance and comfort.

 

Invest in a Dash Cam

No matter how good a driver you are, you don’t have an influence on other people’s behaviour on the road. This is why you need to invest in a dashcam. If you suffer an accident, self-doubt might creep in. When you have the recording at the time you contact a lawyer, you will be able to prove that you were not at fault, and avoid taking the blame for other people’s mistakes.

 

If you would like to become a more confident driver, you will just need to take a few small steps to build your confidence up and reassure yourself. Reduce the number of anxiety triggers when you get in the car, carefully plan your route, and get a dashcam to monitor your driving.

 

 

markmunroe

markmunroe

Founder, CEO at ADDICTED Media Inc
Mark Munroe is the Creator and EIC of ADDICTED. He's ADDICTED to great travel, amazing food, better grooming & probably a whole lot more!
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