Large numbers of people seem to have some sort of phobia – some can remember when the fear began, often through a scary experience in their formative years, but for many the fear seems innate or inexplicable. A study by NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) showed that between 8.7% and 18.1% of Americans suffer from phobias. How phobias affect individuals will depend on a number of factors, whereas some objects of fear, or situations which cause anxiety are easily avoided, others are not. For example, people who are very afraid of heights can often avoid trigger situations, whereas people who are afraid of leaving their own homes often miss out on many life experiences as they cannot avoid their fear the moment they leave their house.
A lot of people suffer from anxiety about travelling, whether by plane, boat or train. Sometimes this is due to an accident or near accident in the past, but is often solely due to a feeling of not being in control of the situation, or of not being able to escape. Although there are people who are afraid of cars and of driving, travelling in a car or truck, or another road vehicle, this phobia seems much less widespread than the fear of flying. This is probably due to our attitude to cars in general; we tend to associate cars as a positive thing. Most young people long to own and drive their first car, for the feeling of freedom and practicality. For people the world over, cars often become the only practical means of transport on a day to day basis, and many begin to take safe journeys on local roads for granted. Young and novice drivers are understandably nervous, but those who have been driving for many years are often far too complacent, neglecting to check cars regularly and even deciding not to put on safety belts for short journeys.
In order to stay safe on the road, it is vital to follow correct vehicle maintenance and be constantly alert for developing hazards. Good drivers will aim to get their car checked over regularly, and will be able to recognise when parts such as brake pads and tires need replacing. Obviously there are tell tale signs, such as brake pads grating or squealing, and visible signs such a tire wear, but it is always best to get a vehicle checked over on a regular basis to stay safer. Avoid a false sense of security in a car – this does not necessarily mean being extremely stressed, but it means always being alert to driving conditions. Even good drivers can be caught off guard, and other road users may not be as capable or sensible. Staying safe is not just about having well maintained parts such as brake pads, or about driving perfectly yourself, it is also about noticing other road users and reacting in such a way to prevent accidents, even if they would not be your fault. Try to feel comfortable yet alert when driving your vehicle. For further information regarding our range of
brake pads and where you can buy them from, please visit http://www.ebcbrakes.com.
