[jyoisu]

So i started driving not too long ago, havent gone on any big streets yet but sometimes im a bit paranoid. I always feel like im going to hit something or someone...not that im a terrible driver but i think i have HORRIBLE space judgement. Like i seriously cant tell how close or how far i am to something. Say when im going down a narrow street, i get nervous when there are cars parked on both sides because it seems like im gonna hit a car even though they're probably like 2-3 feet away from touching my car.When i park i cant tell how far i am from another car or how far i am from the curb. At this rate i think im going to be freakin paranoid if i have to park at a real parking lot with loads of cars and people around. So my question is, how do i improve on space judgement? Ive tried using the mirrors and looking through passenger seat window but sometimes its hard...especially when im on reverse it'll look like im really close to hitting a car but in reality i actually have alot of space. Is it because im new to driving? Will i eventually get used to this?

[SHARK]

You have my problem, known as Overdefensive Driving.

Get on the freeway, and just drive around. I think the freeway really makes you less cautious once the stress of it hits you and leaves you. That's how I fixed it... sort of. I have problems parking paralllel to a curb though, I tend to be far.

[[K]Jae]

Don't worry about it. I went through the same thing when i started first driving. You be more comfortable with your car as you drive more and park. It helps to have friends watch you park so they know the distance but you'll soon understand the length of your car and how far away it actually is. My dad took me to a residential area where he taught me to parallel park for an hour or two. You can try doing that for a bit to get a understanding of how you can park.

[ChingGoo]

yup, drive around & park more.

[kelvin6]

I'm teaching someone how to drive right now and all I can say is that what you are experiencing now is normal. It will take time and more driving and parking before you fully understand or get used to it. What you're going through is normal and don't stress too much over it.

[sacky]

when you drive more you'll become more comfortable. trust me. around where I live there are tons of construction at the moment and there are medians and barrels EVERYWHERE. before I used to freak out thinking I would hit them, but now I just go through the road like its nothing.

[Orijinalx]

you can practice using cones. Just goto an empty parklot and lay out cones. See how close you can get to the cones without hitting them. You'll start to see how much space you actually have, but like everybody else has said, it's normal to feel that way at first. You just have to get use to your car, and you'll be fine.

[BoAFriend]

Lol I have this issue, too and I've been driving for like 2 years already. x.x I mean mine isn't to be the point where going down a street I feel like I'm gonna hit something all the time, but I have it in certain situations - mainly in the innermost left lane (or carpool lane when I can use it); I keep feeling like the left side of my car is going to scrape or hit the freeway divider. For this reason alone, I usually avoid driving in the innermost lane of the freeway, usually staying in the second to inner most lane. Sorry if that garble of words confused you.

Anyways I would say for you, at least you are a beginner driver, so you have a long way to go. I can definitely say that as you keep practicing, you'll develop a more confident and alert sense of your surroundings.

Spacing/spacial judgment I think one just has to develop through practice. I used to be a mediocre parker, like sometimes I'd be too much to the left or too much to the right when I parked into a space and my mom would go off on me, but the more I practiced parking, the better a sense of judgment did I develop. But look at me with the freeway thing - I'm terrible, but it's because I haven't driven in that lane a lot.

So just practice. You should be fine

[MPowerKai]

Get some plastic cups and try to run them over with desired tire, this will give you a better feel for your vehicles size

[Meenuh]

I'm exactly like you. Literally exactly. I freak out. My driving intructor told me that everytime a car is near me I tend to hold the wheel A LOT tighter which is apparently dangerous.

I panic a lot too. T~T I'd make stupid decisions because i'd panic and just rush things. Blah.

I hope you aren't like me though. I've given up on driving altogether. I'm really really scared of driving. Apparently you just get used to it and feel comfortable more by driving more. My dad kept telling me I had to keep driving but no.. I just can't do it. I freak out even MORE now.

[Honey.bee]

Oh, I get that feeling even if i'm not the one driving. It gets me so nervous that I never forget the put the belt.

[azn099]

hopefully it goes away over time when you have more experience. if it doesn't then umm just practice more i guess. i really don't know what else to tell you.

[CupOfNoodles]

just don't be scared, i was scared at first, but once you overcome it, you'll be fine.