What is Vehophobia?
MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER SHARES INSIGHT ON VEHOPHOBIA
With figures such as these, together with over 6 million reported traffic accidents on US streets, avenues, and roadways, it’s no wonder people acquire a sense of fear when in or around motor vehicles. This fear is called Vehophobia, and it affects millions of people around the world.
But how do you know if you suffer from vehophobia and what can you do to help deal with potentially socially debilitating illness?
- A sudden sense of anxiety when taking to the wheel of a motor vehicle
- Shortness of breath when inside a vehicle as a passenger
- Rapid heart rate while driving or as a passenger in a moving vehicle
- Muscle tension and/or thorax discomfort
- Dizziness accompanied by an urge to vomit
The above listed symptoms of Vehophobia can worsen with time and greatly reduce a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle properly. This is an aspect of Vehophobia that enhances the chances of being involved and even causing an accident. Fortunately, those suffering from Vehophobia can today opt for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft. Unfortunately, getting into a vehicle with a stranger behind the wheel can be just as frightening for someone suffering Vehophobia. Sadly, taking an Uber or Lyft is no guarantee that the passenger will not be involved in a car accident (see UBER/LYFT ACCIDENTS). The most common cause of Vehophobia appears to stem from being involved in a car crash, which can be traumatizing to accident victims in many ways, especially when the traffic accident includes personal injury, extensive therapy, or surgery. In fact, it is quite traumatizing to accident victims when accidents result in permanent injury such as scarring, permanent gaits, or even loss of bodily functions. Other factors which may trigger sensations of vehophobia can include:
- Witnessing a severe crash that involves injured parties, bloodshed, fires, etc.
- Growing up and spending time in a car with aggressive drivers
- Dangerous roadway conditions
- Intense traffic
HOW TO TREAT VEHOPHOBIA
Fear and anxiety go hand-in-hand with almost all phobias, with therapy, meditation, or yoga being highly effective ways to ease vehophobia conditions. Pharmaceutic drugs are also effective but can only be prescribed as a temporary solution or for specific moments. Pharmaceutical drugs can never be prescribed for long term relief of vehophobia.
VEHOPHOBIA IN FLORIDA
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there are 7, 670,861 registered motor vehicles in Florida. With such a high number of vehicles such as motor cycles, cars, and trucks on the avenues, streets, and roadways every day, vehophobia is not very rare in Florida, which ranks #1 as the most dangerous state for drivers (see Why is Florida the Most Dangerous State for Driving?).
If you, a friend, or relative was involved in an accident, in Miami, the attorneys at the Perazzo Law Firm, highly suggest contacting their North Miami Beach law offices immediately for a FREE initial consultation.
