Stress when driving can come from the inability to relax and if you are stressed other negative states of mind and attitudes are accentuated.

Stress when driving can arise out of:

• Lack of confidence in your own ability.
• Heavy traffic in town or on the motorways.
• Being late for an appointment or work.
• Being afraid of having an accident.
• Problem passengers in the vehicle (children, having an argument etc.).
• Unsure of your route.
• Fatigue.
• Distractions (road accidents, mobile phones, eating- drinking-smoking).
• Problems at home or at work.

De-stressing tips

When driving become more aware of how you feel and what you do.

• Have a clear picture of the state you want to move towards.
• Use self-assessment to look at your driving performance, ask yourself:
  • What did I notice about that section of my driving?
  • How did it affect other road users?

This technique is not easy, however, in time it really works.

• Learn to relax when driving.
• Do you have to travel by car? Are there alternatives?
• Plan your journey and the route, Write it down.
  • Use Multimap-Street map-Auto Express etc. Is it the best route, use a good up-to-date map to check.
  • Have an alternative route just in case.
• Allow plenty of time for delays & bad weather.
• Plan your rest breaks – every 2 hours on long journeys.
• Make sure you car is fit for the journey, fuel, oil level, coolant, tyres, lights, a clean screen, washers & wipers, Are all your windows clean?
• Make sure you are fit to drive, plenty of sleep, avoid alcohol & medicines.
• Consider an overnight stop on long journeys.
• If possible share driving with a second person.

Reading: Paul Ripley's Expert Driving by Paul Ripley and Peter Amey. £9.99 ISBN 0716030098
               Very Advanced Driving by A.Tom Topper. £4.99 ISBN 0716021277.