does anyone else get nervous when driving?

Yep. When approaching the one-year-mark, I felt like I was dodging a bullet almost everyday.

Driving even more cautious and looking around more, and I'm pretty freakin' cautious as it is. It was like paranoia.

My final first-year-months were during winter so that didn't help I'm sure.

Seeing trucks crashed and wondering what they did wrong. Were they going to fast? How fast were they going? Am I going to fast? Am I even suppose to be driving under these conditions?

Maybe it's the anticipation of actually getting through a full year without incident.

In any case, I know how you feel.

 

I remember one of my CDL instructors used to say, "fear will keep you alive". Not all fears are healthy but some fear is necessary so you will not be over confident and take risks which might end up in an accident. Replace your fear with caution.

 

This is an excellent question and thread. IMHO AZS nailed the fundamental method for controlling your fear, at the point of contact of your control: your hands on the steering wheel.

"White Knuckle" driving is the antithesis of relaxed driving. Grip the steering wheel like you are holding a wounded sparrow. Soft enough to not hurt it, but firm enough that it can't struggle and hurt itself more.

The next thing you need to do is RELAX your arms. Let them hang like suspension bridges.

Finally, when your steer pull DOWN, never push up. I also consciously bring my "pull down" elbow in to my chest AND then REALLY relax my opposite hand and arm. This will really help making smooth turns at speed.

Fear gives you tunnel vision. Being relaxed helps widen your attention to your surroundings.

I taught similar relaxation methods for fear control when I taught mountain climbing. It helped many a student and client overcome their fear and be able to SEE the handhelds and footholds and MOVE without effort.

 

I never really had an issue with nervousness in the truck although I think I can blame being a goalie in hockey for so long for that. With the entire weight of the game falling on you and when you make a mistake it is reflected in a big way, there is no time to be nervous, or angry, or frustrated, because that will only make the situation worse.

You know what you have to do and at the end of the day that is just drive the darn truck. It is very possible to push emotions aside to get the job done, which is exactly what needs to happen. Still be aware of what can go wrong and prepare for it, but don't fear it.

Another thing that can help is something I was told when I started riding a motorcycle. "image that everyone in a cage is about to do the most idiotic thing you can possibly think of, because they are probably about to do just that. " It helps you be prepared for car that's going to cut you off, slams on their brakes, swerves at you, or decides they need to be in your lane and somehow miss the great big truck beside them.

 

You'll be fine....nervousness is normal....but don't let that feeling turn into fear. Let it turn into respect , not only for weather/road conditions , but the amount of rest you've had , your load/weight etc , and always respect for the "other guy"....Not matter if your career is 5 days long or spans 50 years , if those butterfly's ever settle down down hang it up , and hand the keys over to the boss. It's normal to have those feelings hand , just control them , don't let them control you! Best of Luck !

 

I get nervous when the green and white are following me!!! I have been pulled over by mobile MTO(DOT for you US boys) many times and pulled into scales many more times and never had any issues. If one follows me though(wether he's pulling me over or just going back to the barn for shift change/coffee) I still get nervous!

 

Well put driver.

 

If you have fear of driving and getting in an accident, but you are a safe driver, I would get a dash cam system to make sure you are not blamed by someone else who causes an accident. I would give you an added bit of confidence that as long as you are doing your job the right way, you will not be considered at fault for some idiot that gets tangled up with you. Keep working on it brother...

 

smith and YOU tell him to sit in middle lane and be a "rock in the stream"

i wonder if he should take advice from a guy who retired because the 14hr rule scared him

 

Hi Macneil, boy, you got that right! The definition of paranoia, like a police car in my rear view mirror. I think everybody get's nervous at some time or another. For me, it's driving on ice or snow, or the 1 time I hauled a load of gasoline. I could tell right away, that wasn't for me!