A lack of driving practice during the height of pandemic lockdown has had the knockon effect of creating a nation of worried drivers according to new research.

A survey by the AA Driving School has found that three out of four drivers have felt anxious behind the wheel in the last year and more than two thirds have done nothing to address those feelings of anxiety.

Seven per cent of those who did take action decided to cut down on their driving while one per cent stopped driving altogether according to the research data.

While being out of practice is one of the most likely reasons for being worried while driving, other reasons included crashes and near-misses, with the Mental health charity warning that if left untreated these fears could develop into a phobia.

Robert Cowell, Interim Managing Director of AA Driving School said: “The last year has been very stressful for a lot of people and it is understandable some of the stress has manifested itself when they are driving.

“It’s natural to feel some occasional nerves driving if you’re out of practice, but it can become a bigger problem if you don’t address it.

“If you find you are feeling anxious when you are driving, the best thing to do is to recognise that. There are lots of things you can do to help yourself, depending on your circumstances and how badly you are affected. For some drivers taking a trusted passenger will be all that’s needed to calm their nerves and boost their confidence. Others will benefit from professional lessons.

“Relaxation techniques like breathing exercises can work well for some and there’s always support available through medical professionals if anxiety starts to hinder your daily life.”

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