It’s something many people do on a daily basis without thinking twice about it, but a new survey has revealed how driving is leaving many Gen Zers absolutely petrified. Changing a flat tire is their biggest fear, while parallel parking, hill starts, and merging onto the highway were also found to terrify hundreds of young drivers. The findings come as no surprise to many Gen Zers, who regularly post on social media about their driving phobias. In fact, their fear of parallel parking is so acute that 45% of Gen Z say they would rather drive farther away and walk for 10 minutes than to even attempt the task. Other basic tasks that frightens Gen Zers include putting air in the tires, checking the oil level, and even using a car wash. More than 1 in 10 said they missed a dream job because they were too scared to drive, while 10% have turned down a promotion that would have required more time on the road. Experts point to the fact that turning down promotions and missing interviews because of a driving phobia is more of a broader societal issue than a driving issue. Confidence comes with experience, but if drivers are avoiding the road, they’re never going to bridge that gap. Driving is one of the most common phobias in the U.S., with surveys indicating that roughly 66% of Americans experience some sort of anxiety behind the wheel.
