How does Carolyn Scott recommend overcoming driving anxiety?

Hi, I’m Carolyn Scott-Hamilton from The Healthy Voyager. I talk about driving anxiety in a few ways, especially after accidents or when fear has built up over time.

Here are the key approaches I recommend:

• Work with a therapist to uncover the root of your fear (past crashes, fear of independence, trauma, etc.) and, if appropriate, use tools like exposure therapy or EMDR.
• Use gradual exposure: start as a passenger, then short, quiet drives, slowly building up time and complexity.
• Take adult driving classes or confidence-building workshops to refresh skills and feel more in control behind the wheel.
• Reduce extra stressors: pay for easier parking if needed, plan low-traffic routes, and keep your car well-maintained so you trust it mechanically.
• Address the emotional side as seriously as the physical: it’s completely valid to seek professional help and take things at your own pace.

Would you like a simple step-by-step plan you can follow over the next few weeks?