British motorists suffer ‘crashback’
If you sometimes think the road is full of nervous drivers, you may be right. New research from motor insurer MORE TH> N reveals that nearly half (41 per cent) of British drivers involved in a car accident suffer from ‘Crashback’ – a condition where they become worried and anxious about driving again, and can even have flashbacks and bad dreams about the accident.Slow recovery
Other symptoms of Crashback include loss of confidence on the road, erratic driving and a reluctance to get back behind the wheel. Nearly 170,000 Brits say that they took more than six months to drive again after their accident, and a further 85,000 say that they are yet to drive again.
MORE TH>N’s research showed that Crashback can be a serious condition, with sufferers taking up to five years to fully recover from the anxiety and stress. Over three million motorists who responded to the survey confessed that they are still unable to drive without thinking about their crash.
As well as affecting their behaviour on the road Crashback victims admit that their personal lives are also impacted, with over one million accident victims feeling stressed and anxious even when they weren’t driving. A further five million revealed that they dreamt about their accident or had flashbacks, and 400,000 people confided that they suffered panic attacks due to the trauma of the crash.
Help’s at hand
More than 1.5 million motorists surveyed admitted that they did not speak to anyone about their crash after it happened, even though it may have helped with their recovery.
Marcia Chambers from FirstAssist Services Ltd, who manages MORE TH> N’s motor accident counselling service, said: “Crashback is a very common condition amongst drivers who have been involved in an accident. Any car crash, no matter how small, can be traumatic, and there’s nothing unusual in feeling upset or anxious after a crash.
“An important part of the recovery process is talking about how you feel. Partners, family and friends are often willing to help, but there is also the option of speaking to a professional counselling service. Trained counsellors understand what people are going through and can help motorists deal with these anxieties and regain their lost confidence.”
Keith Maxwell, head of motor insurance at MORE TH> N, agreed: “With over 200,000 casualties a year on British roads, as well as countless minor collisions, there are a lot of potential Crashback sufferers out there. Although not often talked about, this sort of anxiety and stress can be serious and people need to take time and concentrate on feeling better. Drivers should not feel under pressure to get behind the wheel again before they’re ready. It can add stress, meaning it takes longer to get back to normal, and could lead to unsafe driving behaviour.”
MORE TH>N’S top tips to getting back in the driving seat
1. Don't feel under pressure to drive again until you're ready. Driving while you’re still upset can mean it takes longer to rebuild your confidence.
2. On your first trip out, plan your journey and be realistic about how far you should drive, when, where to, and whether to have someone accompany you.
3. Prepare yourself for the journey, physically and emotionally. Make sure you’re sitting comfortably, clear your mind of negative thinking and take some deep breaths to relax, before, during and after the journey.
4. Give yourself plenty of time for your journey to make sure you’re not in a rush, and allow extra time for comfort breaks on a long trip.
5. If several weeks pass and you are still feeling anxious, worried or upset about driving, speak with your GP. They help people through situations like this all the time.