The thing about driving is that you have to concentrate on what you’re doing, so trying to forget about it isn’t an option. Maybe driving on very short trips and trying to build it up might be the way. I used to get very nervous about long trips, even on trains and even when I was driving myself. Luckily, I don’t have a problem now. I didn’t do anything specific about it – I just got better. Except that I haven’t been on a plane for 8 years now and I’m dreading the next time.

While I’m now totally relaxed about driving, even long distances, I pride myself on my level of concentration. I know some people who are too relaxed about driving and seem oblivious to the fact that a lapse in concentration could lead to an accident that could really hurt. We need more drivers to have a healthy respect to the dangers.

I don’t have blind faith that other drivers will obey the laws, you know, actually stop at stop lights, yield when told, take their proper turn at 4-way stops, etc. My SO says he drives with the law (not always!) and expects others to do the same. Last night, coming home from dinner, a driver didn’t even slow down at a wide intersection for his red light. Only a few seconds separated us from getting seriously t-boned as this guy was booking it.

Really, folks, if you don’t care about your lives, give a rip about the rest of us!