Hey guys, I hope some of these tips might help those who are scared of driving because of their MD or those who are already drivers and are experiencing difficulty with their MD. I just want to put it out there that I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT recommend driving if you know for sure that you will not be able to control your daydreaming. However, as a young driver who has now been driving for 2 years now, I know that sometimes it takes baby steps before you will feel comfortable driving and this applies to everyone— not just those with MD. Either way, practice can make perfect (or at least better), and so the main thing is knowing how to go about practicing in a safe way. Hope some of these help :)
1. Take driver’s training classes: Driver’s training classes can be expensive (at least in Canada they are), but trust me when I say they pay off. The in-car sessions are especially helpful as you have a professional right in the passenger seat with you and more often than not, the trainer has a break on their side too so they have a fair bit of control over the car. Also, many trainers are experienced with even the worst drivers and so they know exactly how to respond if something goes wrong. Even if you’ve already taken driver’s training, you can often pay for extra sessions if you need them. It’s a great way to get more comfortable driving and teach your mind not to wander.
2. Count things while you drive: Count road signs. Count hydro poles. Count the number of red cars you see. Whatever works for you. As long as you can keep your mind attentive and stay observant of your surroundings, counting can be a great way to keep from daydreaming.
3. Open a window: This tip is not always my number one recommendation, simply because an open window can be just as big of a distraction as texting for some people. (It really depends on you as a driver). However, on the flip side, a lot of people find an open window helpful to keep themselves aware of what’s going on around them, especially in the city where there’s a bunch of sounds to keep you on your toes.
4. Air Conditioning: Just like the window one, this isn’t my number one recommendation. But sometimes staying just a bit uncomfortably cold will keep you more awake and prevent your mind from wandering. Just don’t crank it too cold to the point where you are shivering because shivering and driving is not a good combination.
5. Listen to podcasts or an audiobook: If this doesn’t trigger you to daydream, it can be a great way to keep your mind occupied while simultaneously paying attention to the road.
6. Talk to the drivers around you: I don’t mean this in a road-rage-type way, but rather as a way to keep you alert and observant. I tend to say things like “Oh hi buddy! You need to merge into my lane? Come on in!” or “Please don’t cut me off! Thank-you, greatly appreciated”. Sometimes it’s really sarcastic commentaries on what’s happening around me, but it works so that’s all that matters.
7. Get a passenger: Get a passenger who will talk to you or at least keep you alert and aware of your surroundings. Especially if you’re someone who can’t daydream around other people, this works pretty well to have someone else in the vehicle with you.
8. Play music that you can’t, or know you won’t daydream to: For me, I have music that I absolutely can’t daydream to for the life of me. If this is you, then play this music to keep you occupied without having to sit in silence and risking your mind wandering.
** These are just a few recommendations that have helped me or that I’ve heard from other drivers. Once again, please don’t drive if you know you’ll daydream!! It’s one thing to feel a bit uncomfortable and to have nerves about driving when you have MD, but it’s another to actually daydream and not be able to stop. If you can, start by driving on back roads where there is little to no traffic, or in empty parking lots. (As someone who lives in a small town, this is where all driver’s trainers start their students). If you feel a bit uncomfortable, it might just take a bit of practice to feel better about it. But If you are really anxious and/or daydreaming within the first few minutes of getting into a vehicle, I would not recommend driving at all. I know it can be frustrating, but it’s always better safe than sorry. Please stay safe and good luck to any and all drivers!! Feel free to add your own tips :)