Don't bring bad karma your way.

Especially the merging. Had to do it today and I think I had a panic attack (got home ok). Will NOT drive on those roads again. Didn’t use to panic about this, I’m 62. Totally fine with local driving.

construction on I-35 which is two minutes from my house. I hear ambulances wailing every single day as yet another accident has occurred. Scares me. Drivers are crazy around here.

She couldn’t drive due to recent surgery. She drives those roads all the time and must be an aggressive driver, as she was screaming at me for not passing a truck, stopping at a yellow light, etc. (we were running late). Told her I will do anything for her or the kids except drive on 78 or 22 from now on.

It seems to happen most when I'm tense or upset.

I think it's mainly because we realize how mortal we are and as we get older, it weighs on us more than it did when we were young.

I've had thoughts like these too. I try to not let them bother me.

When I was 35 I was immortal and possibly bulletproof.
At 77 I realize I am no longer immortal and certainly not bulletproof.
Life is much more precious now than it was back then.

She self-diagnosed that it was confidence issues.

She did several things, starting with taking a defensive driving for seniors course at the local community college. There was classroom and experiential learning that focused on how reaction times change, the effects of diminishing night visual acuity, and what adjustments should be made in braking patterns, attention to signs, turning radius, evaluation of road conditions, etc.

They also offered a discount on "older driver fitness exams" which included vision and hearing tests, reaction time for visual and auditory stimuli, reflexes, cardiac acceleration tracking, and general fitness.

And they provided resources: An updated road sign recognition guide, an 'emergency resources' card to carry in the glove box or door pocket, and a certificate of completion that some insurance companies will provide a discount for (not hers, though. She was pissed about that!)

Anyway, that seemed to help her quite a lot with what she called the "worry flashes" while driving.

helpfully,
Bright

There is a whole series of 'confidence builders' in flight training.
(Former flight instructor here)

And then it passes and I realize how fortunate I have been with all the stupid shit I have done over the years. It’s weird, like why am I here? Reminds me of how quickly it can all go away. It’s helped me really. I appreciate things more.

...self-centered assholes who think they are more important than anyone else on the road, and do not bother with directional signals and routinely run red lights, and all manner of other stupid and dangerous things, I find driving to be very nerve wracking. I trust no one in a car.

I have seen people back up in forward moving traffic, or someone in the lane to my right make a left turn in front of me across 3 lanes of traffic.

It makes me crazy!

a woman who was texting and never even saw the red light. Honestly, no matter our age, I think a lot of us are getting nervous about driving, considering how many crazy people there are out there.

...wait because I know at least 3 drivers, and probably 5, are going to run the red light.

I was in an accident last year and now when I go through that intersection, for a split second, I’m reminded all over again. I fear these fools on their phones while they are driving. I see way to many people looking down while driving.

I had the green light and started off slow. I had a driver run their red light. If I had of been faster or one of the jack rabbit starts she would have hit right at my door. I still don't know why I hit the brakes, it all happened so fast she was just a blur.