Another “phobia”? Vehophobia

Before we dive into some of the most common driving fears and how they stack up against men vs women, it’s important to understand how they’re defined.

A driving phobia — also known as a  vehophobia — develops when the fear of getting behind the wheel becomes overwhelming, often to the point of avoidance.

Once debilitating anxiety sets in, a person behind the wheel, or even before getting in the car, might experience sweaty palms, dizziness, and shortness of breath, tachycardia and trembling, among other symptoms.

Although there are no particular names for other driving-related fears — including fear of driving near semi-trucks, over bridges, in the snow or at night — these fears can contribute to a person’s overall driving phobia. Below we break down what Americans fear most while driving.

Defensive Driving

Data from a recent survey, conducted by CarRentals.com