That's a natural reaction, being triggered by driving after a car crash. It's deeper than a mind over matter kind of anxiety. You might want to work with a therapist to process it.

Have you tried taking professional lessons? A driving instructor can give you feedback on if you're going too slow, too fast, or just right. They've also seen plenty of nervous drivers. If you're issues are more than "average", you can go to your doctor and ask if therapy or medication would help. But I'd start with an instructor.

Hi there, Ash. Welcome to DS.

I am a very confident driver, experienced with a big variety of vehicles, but I get the driving jitters after a frightening traffic blunder or while driving vehicles I am not comfortable with. I know, not the same thing as what you are experiencing, but. . .

For what it's worth, I stop as often as I need to when I have the driving jitters. If I have to stop every 100 feet, so be it. I feel like a threat to public safety when I don't, multiplied by infinity when there are children in the car. When I stop, I get out of the vehicle and do some stretches and shakes until my nerves are steady again.

Hope you find what works for you, Ash. It is not an easy handicap in our carbaric world.

Hi and Welcome Ash.... I agree that some therapy can help you through this .... It wasn't very long ago and I can understand why it would be upsetting
I think it may take some time and practice to get your confidence back .... And driving lessons as Patti wrote could be a big help.... Big hug.....xo

Thank you guys for the comments, big help! I will be sure to try thos things how and see if they help.

I've taken motorcycle course twice and flunked it both times because the instructors made me too nervous. Talk about humiliating,..... though back on Oregon when I bought a motorcycle I had a learners permit, all it took then was passing a written test, I rode that sportster for many miles through the Umpqua forest and had no problems except the bike had an electrical problem and ate the battery down when not riding it,...so I didn't think taking the course on it was an option or important.. I admit,..... I needed practice,...but didn't think it would be a problem.. But that was all,... Now because of the way they treated me at those courses I feel like a total basket case, I got $300 in courses $99 first try in Oregon,... $200 second try here in Texas,..... Both times I had to take the course on bikes they had,.... First one had bad front end wobble so in a curve when it started vibrating & shaking I lost it and dropped the bike,..... That really did a number on my self confidence, self confidence is real important in most things,..... Next time I am going to make sure I got a bike Of my own that suits me,..... Not one that doesn't feel right,....practice at anything builds confidence and that's always important,.... Before I take a course again through someone else I hope to have a bike that responds well to me and I've found a safe place to practice until I know I got it.,...I .knew right off the second course that bike they gave me was not responding for me the way the sportster had when I was riding that through that amazing forest,...... But I bet,..... Like a good teacher the right instructor would help a lot too,..... They make a lot of money on those courses now days,.... They said in the book if the bike don't feel right for you find one that does,.......a good person would of seen the trouble i was having with that particular bike and told me wait until I find a bike that feels right and maybe have given me half my money back ,..... Or something of that nature but a jerk would never do something so decent so,.........I am not going to just throw up my hands and give up I hope,......what ever answer there is for u I pray the good lord brings it your way,..... In the meantime I hope you don't feel too much stress about it,...... Hang tough,.... U r still young,..... U got that working in ur favor!....... Me I am getting old but am mean as a snake,..but now,.... I am that guy in the commercial who crashes the bike and a caption comes on........'. Don't be this guy!.'...lol.........just have to see. Peace & love,.....& 'onward through the fog' and all that.... Lol