Help me get over my fear of driving over tall bridges?
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The idea of that tube being 3.6 miles under water was just too creepy.
I feel the same. The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) in Europe has had a few fires and equipment malfunctions, trapping people down in the tunnel for hours. No thank you! When I was traveling from England to France I took the ferry crossing instead. It was a beautiful ride and much more enjoyable than sitting on a train speeding through a dark tunnel.
Baby steps... Don't look out over the scenery. Imo, it is best to slow down to the recommended speed limit, stay in your lane and focus on following the cars ahead of you. Break it down into what you have to do for the time being and block the rest of it from your mind.
What is the difference between a standard, low bridge or a super high bridge like the one that crosses the Chesapeake bay? Then think, what is the difference between that and just a regular overpass? A drop of 150 or more ft to the water isn't going to be any worse then a drop of 25 ft to the concrete.
Also, look at how many vehicles have crossed these bridges and how long they've been around. How often do you hear of anything happening? It seems you here more of "jumpers" then wrecks.
I am 55 and have crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge many times in my life ( Its considered one of the so called most scary bridges) This year, for the first time ever I was delayed because of a major pileup in the fog. The fog was a super thick pea soup as it was enough to delay my wife's flight returning from FLL to BWI the night before.
**** happens but my point is after all these years that was the only incident that affected me to the point of having to go around the bay. Yes, there have been other accidents, some bad, but take any 5 mile stretch of a major highway and there are bound to be accidents over the years.
Perhaps, pick a tall bridge and go for a ride on a clear day later in the morning when there is no traffic. Cross it several times, over and over and get comfortable with it.
What is the difference between a standard, low bridge or a super high bridge like the one that crosses the Chesapeake bay? Then think, what is the difference between that and just a regular overpass? A drop of 150 or more ft to the water isn't going to be any worse then a drop of 25 ft to the concrete.
Also, look at how many vehicles have crossed these bridges and how long they've been around. How often do you hear of anything happening? It seems you here more of "jumpers" then wrecks.
I am 55 and have crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge many times in my life ( Its considered one of the so called most scary bridges) This year, for the first time ever I was delayed because of a major pileup in the fog. The fog was a super thick pea soup as it was enough to delay my wife's flight returning from FLL to BWI the night before.
**** happens but my point is after all these years that was the only incident that affected me to the point of having to go around the bay. Yes, there have been other accidents, some bad, but take any 5 mile stretch of a major highway and there are bound to be accidents over the years.
Perhaps, pick a tall bridge and go for a ride on a clear day later in the morning when there is no traffic. Cross it several times, over and over and get comfortable with it.
If you're going to do that, just make sure it's not a toll bridge.
What is the difference between a standard, low bridge or a super high bridge like the one that crosses the Chesapeake bay? Then think, what is the difference between that and just a regular overpass? A drop of 150 or more ft to the water isn't going to be any worse then a drop of 25 ft to the concrete.
Also, look at how many vehicles have crossed these bridges and how long they've been around. How often do you hear of anything happening? It seems you here more of "jumpers" then wrecks.
I am 55 and have crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge many times in my life ( Its considered one of the so called most scary bridges) This year, for the first time ever I was delayed because of a major pileup in the fog. The fog was a super thick pea soup as it was enough to delay my wife's flight returning from FLL to BWI the night before.
**** happens but my point is after all these years that was the only incident that affected me to the point of having to go around the bay. Yes, there have been other accidents, some bad, but take any 5 mile stretch of a major highway and there are bound to be accidents over the years.
Perhaps, pick a tall bridge and go for a ride on a clear day later in the morning when there is no traffic. Cross it several times, over and over and get comfortable with it.
No, just no. My heart is pounding just reading the bolded sentence. Do not think about it. One low dose Valium tablet should do the trick.
No, just no. My heart is pounding just reading the bolded sentence. Do not think about it. One low dose Valium tablet should do the trick.
I don't think about it. I actually like that bridge (Yes, I'm strange). Maybe it wasn't a good way of making a point, but I was just trying to compare tall to low as many are afraid of tall bridges, or long bridges. But what is the difference? So, if one comfortably crosses a highway overpass or a small creek multiple times in a day, just think that the longer and taller bridge is no different. As many as there are, how often do you hear of one falling? Or a vehicle going off (ignore the recent news please). And if you can't, imagine how many vehicles had just recently crossed that bridge without incident!
I liken it to air travel. I was scared of flying but would not let it affect me going places. I had a job on a charter fishing boat that we took to Venezuela for the winter a couple of seasons. Sinse the boat was there all winter and my visa required me to leave the country for a few days after 3 month's I had the boss get me a ticket to Miami and I rented a car to drive to MD. Made sense at the time as I did not need to be on a plane from Miami to Ocean City.
Yep, Bambi cured my fear of flying because while driving back to Miami, I plowed into her and totaled the rent a car! I always heard there was more of a chance of getting in a crash going to and from the airport in you car.
I have had a phobia of heights all my life. I have never driven over a bridge and don't plan to. I have gone over bridges when someone else is driving and even though I'm anxious I concentrate on looking at the scenery which helps me until we are over the bridge.
I tried counseling, group therapy, etc. Nothing helped me.
Even reading this post starts my heart beating fast!
Just to let the OP that the reason I posted what I did what to let OP that he/she is not alone. Some people do get helped but in my case the therapy didn't work for me. Probably a deep-seated fear.
It can't hurt to expose yourself slowly to driving over bridges. Maybe the more confident you feel the more you will get over your fear. Best to you!
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My heart is pounding just reading the bolded sentence. Do not think about it. One low dose Valium tablet should do the trick.
