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Member
Member Since Jun 2014
Location: Boca Raton, Florida
Posts: 89
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Aug 30, 2015 at 09:03 PM
#1
A few days ago, I got my license and I was driving to get something to eat on a very congested road. I don't really remember what I was doing, whether I was distracted or my reflexes weren't quick enough, but next thing I knew, I rear-ended a car. Nobody was hurt, but I vividly remember the moment when I realized my brakes weren't strong enough to stop me completely. Thankfully, the woman didn't call the police or insurance and I just paid her $60 cash for a very minor injury. But now every time I drive, even if I stop 100 feet back, I feel that same feeling. Like I'm completely helpless and that my brakes aren't going to stop me. Is this just a natural reaction? I know it happened a short time ago, but honestly, I'm so afraid to drive now because I feel like I'm going to wreck every time I do.. Is this natural or is it just PTSD from the accident? Thank you for your replies!
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 avlady, kaliope, Open Eyes
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Legendary Wise Elder
Community Liaison
Member Since Jun 2011
Location: somewhere, out there
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Aug 31, 2015 at 10:43 AM
#2
it is totally natural......you just got your license......with more experience and learning to trust your car..as it continues to stop when you put on the brake...and it will stop every time IF you give it enough distance to stop.....the feeling will subside. it may help you to go to a parking lot and practice braking over and over so you can learn to judge distances, get that feeling taken care of, learn the pressure of your brake, go fast and press as hard as you can for quick emergency stops and such. it is a scary thing driving a big hunk of metal and not being able to stop in time. you need to learn to master it.
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| avlady, Mrs. Mania
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jul 2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,954
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Aug 31, 2015 at 11:56 AM
#3
I have done this so many times (I am Britain's worst driver) when I started to drive - now I leave a big gap at least two cars length and practice anticipation. Practice being the operative word.
I also, a few times a year, find a country road, flat on both sides and dry, and practice full emergency stop from 30 mph to standstill so I have a really good feel for my brakes (now cars have ABS you don't get into skids much). |
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| avlady
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Wise Elder
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Member Since Jan 2013
Location: angola ny
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Sep 01, 2015 at 08:56 AM
#4
oh i'm so sorry to hear about this, at least no one was hurt. i've been in several accidents as a passenger and pedestrian, and sometimes i can't evn cross the street on foot, believing someone is going to come near me. i also suffer as a passenger believing i'll be hit again because i can feel it in my reflexes too. i hope you get over this, it takes time.
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New Member
Member Since Sep 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 1
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Jan 16, 2016 at 01:01 AM
#5
Yeah I completely agree that it is going to take time. My cousin works with a DUI lawyer and often tells me about similar cases where people who have been hit once by a car or something similar take couple of years to get over it and start walking or driving peacefully.
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Member
Member Since Jun 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 488
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Jan 22, 2016 at 09:55 AM
#6
I crashed my car 3 days after I got my license. I came around a curve and drove straight into a car. The lady was severely injured and her son sustained minor injuries. I lost it. When I went to court, I got my license taken for 30 days. I didn't even go get it back. 3 months later they sent it in the mail. When I got it, I still didn't drive for almost 6 months. Then it was my mom forcing me to get back behind the wheel. I'm still terrified of driving left of center and tend to ride the right side.
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| avlady
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Grand Member
Member Since Jun 2008
Location: WYLTK
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Feb 08, 2016 at 11:39 PM
#7
it's a scary feeling, one that's tough to get rid of. I was just in a bad car crash four months ago. some distracted idiot rear-ended me going 60mph when I was stopped (claims he never saw me)! I had/have lots of injuries, head to toe. I was driving again a few days later, but the fear is still there. For me, there is no logic to this car crash accident that I can rap my head around - the weather was fine and roads were dry - just can't figure out why it happened. So even now, the fear I feel when a car is behind me is almost overwhelming at times, like my heart stops! I almost freak out, hoping and praying that they see me. I've even pulled off into a right-hand turn lane, just so the vehicle could go around me instead of following me. I have no idea if I will ever get over this fear... (and I've been driving for almost seventeen years now)
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| avlady, Mrs. Mania
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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: Northeast USA
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Feb 09, 2016 at 08:05 AM
#8
You were lucky no damage was done and the other person did not make a big deal out of it. I can relate to your realizing that you were not going to stop soon enough when it happened. I had that happen myself many years ago and from then on I never got close to the car in front of me when driving. You should still drive but now you will pay attention and slowly develop into a more careful driver subconsciously.
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| avlady
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Grand Member
Member Since Jun 2008
Location: WYLTK
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Apr 10, 2016 at 10:02 PM
#9
Quote:
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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