cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/43565899
Context: I’m 19 and have had my driver’s license since last summer. I was never interested in driving, but my family pressured me into signing up for driving school (they said it’s a basic skill), so I did it and got my license - somehow - despite never feeling safe or in control behind the wheel during the learning process. I haven’t driven much since then, but on the few occasions I did, I still felt out of control. Two weeks ago, I had a pretty bad car accident due to failing to yield the right of way (I struggle with multitasking). I got hit by two cars. Thankfully, my boyfriend was with me. He’s a bit older and much more confident, extroverted, brave, and uninhibited - he managed to handle the situation with the other drivers and deal with all the protocols for me because I was completely overwhelmed and just crying. Thankfully, no one was hurt, so I only got my license suspended for 60 days, a fine, and I have to pay for the damages. My dad settled all of that already. Now I don’t want to ever drive again. But my dad says it’s fine and that every driver gets into an accident at some point.
I support your decision not to drive, and I can relate to your situation, I had a simular experience back when I was fresh out of driving school. I would advise you to at least drive a bit, with someone who has experience in driving and who you trust. Roads that you know, that you feel comfortable. I’m a bit worried that you otherwise develop a more deep fear of driving all together. And depending on the region you’re living in, you might be required to drove, to get a loved one to a doktor, for example. And you don’t need to drive all the time, or never, you can also decide just to switch sometimes, depending on how you feel. The first time after an accident is defenetly the hardest. But I’m happy that I did it at some point. Even tho I mostly use public transport today. Just cause I knew, if I would need o drive at one point, I could.