I'm now in my 70s and driving makes me more anxious than it used to.

[raccoon]

Im sure part of it’s my age but I wonder if part of it’s that I haven’t been doing as much driving since Covid.

Your experience?

[gademocrat7]

1. Yes, I feel more anxious driving.

I am 70 and it feels like people are more aggressive on the roads now than before COVID.

[polmaven]

4. You are EXACTLY correct!!

I have been seeing younger drivers being a lot more aggressive lately, although it seems to have started pre-COVID...at least it seems that way to me!

[LoisB]

10. Drivers are much more aggressive, turn signals are obsolete and everyone drives a 50-ft.

behemoth of an SUV or truck that they absolutely MUST park next to my Ford Focus.

[Glorfindel]

2. I gave up driving entirely a few years ago

Moving from south Mississippi where the roads are flat and level to north Georgia where the roads are crooked and curving contributed to my decision. My fear of heights (edges) also came into play. I'm perfectly happy with not driving, but thank goodness I have family who will let me tag along to the grocery store, etc.
I'm 76 years old, by the way.

[multigraincracker]

3. I started to slow down in my mid 60s.

I've learn to look both ways and then look both ways again. I drive the speed limit or 5 under.
I've been rewarded with lots of other drivers holding up one finger to let my know I'm the #1 safe driver.

I did pull into a rest area once and a guy came up to ask me if I knew what the speed limit was. I answered, yes, do you know what the minimum speed limit is. He didn't know.

[polmaven]

6. Lol!!

[Lydiarose]

22. What nerve!

Good retort!

[rsdsharp]

5. I haven't driven in nearly 20 months.

I last drove in early March 2020. My license expired in early May 2020. I have a cataract that would prevent me from passing the vision test. Between Covid, and other health issues which have required multiple hospitalizations, I haven’t gotten the cataract removed.

I hope to be able to do that soon, but I’ll have to pass not only the vision test, but the written and driving tests. I’m a little concerned about the driving test since it’s been so long since I drove (and will be even longer), and because we have a new car I have never driven except into and out of the garage to and from the driveway — much like Rainman.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

24. Do get that cataract taken care of as soon as you realistically can.

I tell people that cataracts were the very best thing that ever happened to my eyes. I'd been extremely nearsighted from a very young age. Couldn't really see the blackboard at school in first grade. Now, after cataract surgery, I feel as if i can read small signs on distant hills. So, even if you never plan on driving again, do deal with the cataract.

[Joinfortmill]

7. I can relate. Keep getting out there. It helps.

[Faux pas]

8. It

might have to do with where you live. I live in the country. The farthest I go is probably 20 miles round trip. The total population of the three adjoining towns here is about 30 thousand. I'm 72 and I don't get stressed driving around here. I'm sorry you do.

[samnsara]

13. same here..its a 20 mile rt to get milk. When it snows I have to be plowed out of the..

..driveway as i live on a hill. I was nervous in my 50s now 20 yrs later its no better.

[ret5hd]

9. I just know I wanna die in my sleep like my grandpa...

Not screaming like everyone else in the car.

[UpInArms]

11. ...

[Lydiarose]

23. LMAO

That's one the most hilarious jokes I've ever heard! I wonder if everyone gets it?
😂

[Lydiarose]

25. Love it!

Good one ☝️

[samnsara]

12. same here! In fact I wont even go into town unless i ride in with hubby. We live 15 miles from town

... and its along a curvy mtn road so scary anyway. i am finally returning to a weekly class at the adult activity center but other than that I dont feel comfortable driving. I spent most my adult life working at a job where i drove constantly. I'm so risk adverse now!

[raccoon]

14. Me either. When will we get those autonomous cars?

[JohnSJ]

15. I guess it depends where you are. I am not more anxious, but what I see is more drivers

going faster, taking more chances, and running more lights

[KarenS]

16. I quit driving a few years ago,,,,

My peripheral vision is not good and I was just getting too anxious,,,, I am married and my Husband still drives.
Before the pandemic I was using Uber for Hair & nail appts but I haven't used Uber since all of this started,,,, and I am not getting my nails done anymore and my hair is growing out

It is hard to give up that independence but I did.

[happybird]

17. In the last year, when the roads got busy again

after the first phase of COVID, I’ve noticed waaay more stupid drivers. It’s like people forgot how to drive.

It’s a lot of what we used to call “Sunday Driver” stuff, like looky-looing around not paying attention to the road, no turn signals, not looking when yielding or merging. Some extra- aggressive drivers, too.

And, for the love of gawd, don’t get me started on the traffic circles that have been popping up everywhere around here. Most people don’t seem to understand how they work. Yield, people. YIELD.

I’ve always been a very defensive driver (I trust my driving but not other people’s), and that has been kicked up a couple notches to very-super-extra defensive driving.

[Martin68]

18. Earlier in the pandemic I noticed some pretty wild driving that I ascribed to the fact that the

roads were almost empty. I haven't noticed that recently.

[Lars39]

19. How is your upper arm strength?

Muscle loss can cause jerky steering movements that can make you hesitant or fearful to drive.
There are therabands on Amazon and plenty of ways to use them on Pinterest and YouTube. 🙂

[flotsam2]

20. Gettin' there...

For the summer I did just very few medical trips and a half dozen visits to my brother and sister in law (a 52 mile round trip). After the first snow (in New Hampshire) I won't drive 'til spring because neuropathy in my feet-in an emergency I can't really tell on which pedal my feet are on...or if my feet are any pedal at all. I'll register and have my car inspected next month, but I'm not sure if I'll ever drive again... Relatively young (68 next month) but I'd rather choose to hang up my cleats than make an error and hurt someone.

[Yonnie3]

21. I'm more anxious too, but it is not about me.

There are way too many inattentive drivers on cell phones. Way too many drivers running red lights and too many who believe that stop, yield, and speed limit signs are suggestions.

Almost all my driving is local now and on city streets and rural roads so there is much more interaction with said drivers. I used to drive a lot on interstates and even recently it seems much better than my local driving. I scan my mirrors often so I know when one is coming from behind.