Stress Center Peer Support

Greetings -- I was on a parkway heading north several months ago on Long Island, and due to a merge with another parkway (the Southern State) I found myself heading 60 miles per hour in the left hand lane with a monster SUV tailgating me just inches from my bumper. I wanted to move over into the middle lane and then to the right lane because I needed to exit, but this @@%$@@!# wouldnlt give me enough space to do that without playing Russian Roulette. He stayed on my tail for 7 miles and finally he moved to the right and passed me and I was able to get off the parkway just a half mile short of another parway which would have brought me towards New York City in the left lane. I haven't been able to drive on the parkway since, and this has greatly limited all my activities.

Hi,

I think even without having anxiety, that your experience would scare anyone. I think we have all experienced a jerk like that while driving and it can especially be scary when you are traveling at a high rate of speed. I also am afraid to drive on the highway. I think to tackle my fear I will choose a highway where I can easily get on and off and choose a time of day when it's not as busy. I will also bring someone with me in case I get scared. Practice, practice, practice is the best way to overcome our fears. Set up a plan to go back and try and work towards it. Good luck.

Driving can drive me nutty. I don't drive where I feel uneasy. Should change that to I can't drive when I feel uneasy. I did something the other day, that I wouldn't have done before this program. I drove someone elses car. The traffic was fast and furious, but I made it. You did well to keep calm. My daughter tells me, it you can't get off somewhere you want, just keep driving and eventually, you'll get turned around and all will be ok. Thank goodness for extra support.