Ah yes... this is typically normal though, as the human mind often desires control off itself. Without it, the mind can be lost. Its a conscious state of self reasoning I believe... one which we often must learn to let go off though with PTSD. Normal though... most people in the world struggle with it, and even when you do learn to let go and relinquish control to another with full trust, you still struggle keeping it that way.

You will often find soldiers, police, fire officers, etc, those who work in roles where you build team skills, you build team work to the point were if one fails, you could all die, so your brain learns to rely upon another and trust fully. Still can be challenging at times, and often the weakest link will be the one who cannot let go off that trust, or fails to perform their duty correctly. Sorry, just rambling in thoughts as it comes to me...

My sentiments most closely relate to your view Marlene. I am quite perturbed
by the possible outcomes of others behind the wheel, whether I'm a passenger
or pedestrian. If a passenger in a car, I consider my conversation with the
driver a distraction to their driving. If driving, I trust my ability to converse
and still control the vehicle in emergencies.

Still, one change I have found is that I no longer make a habit of turning up the
radio like I used to. Occasionally, if I have to drive a long distance on a stretch
of country road, it's soothing to have Waterloo Sunset or a little Jim Croce come
up on the playlist (at my "elderly" sort of volume levels), but in city commuting,
now, for me, even the car radio stays off for concentration.

It is as if I feel as though I am unintentionally loading a dangerous weapon by
compromising my driving concentration. As little the chance of danger maybe, I
would greatly regret the thought of accidentally running over some innocent person
(no matter how foolishly they ran across the road in front of me) and having one
tiny reason for doubt/guilt. The radio stays off thank you, and if someone wants
to have a chat, then I'd rather be doing the driving if I want to concentrate on what
they're saying. If they're driving, I'm looking out the window on all sides, and not
interested in the conversation.

The "cone of silence" was always a great place for indepth discussion, although
nowdays, I'd rather park somewhere than expect my friends to multi-task in a
hazardous mobile circumstance. Busses and trains pose no problem to discussion,
generally out of the driver's hearing range, those. Talk up a storm then.

Sean.

I voted for passenger only. I'm still learning to drive and so I concentrate a lot while driving, and talking is hard. It's interesting though that other people have the same thing with driving, I feel sooo much more comfortable speaking in a car. I think you're right Bec, it's not just the eye contact but having your back covered as well. Good point.

I voted for driving as long as traffic isn't heavy. I'm not a good passenger- I need the control of driving. I can talk better when I'm doing something else - driving, walking, etc. it seems to help me focus my thoughts.

If I absolutely have to talk, driving is the ONLY time I do it. I'm in control, I'm calling the shots. And it most definetly helps when you don't have to look at the person you're talking to. Not that I'm shy - I'm kinda aggressive. But nothing pisses me off more than seeing pity in the person's eyes that I'm trying to talk to. So definitely, I like to drive.

Neither for me. I have a strict no talk policy as it distracts and kids lose control of themselves (I never drive without kids in the car). Riding no good either, I am too scared someone is going to drive poorly and am usually scared to death.

driving or being driven in a car make me sick to my stomach if my stomach is empty. When I am driving I am concentrating on the road. It's kind of nerve wrecking sometimes but I've always driven crappy cars so when I get a better one soon it shouldn't be as big of a deal.

I find myself talking to myself, full of anger, about isues that bother me. Not always when someone's with me. There have been a few times I have had flashbacks while driving, and while it doesn't affect my driving, it generally scares the hell out of my passengers!

I am only more open and honest with myself when driving a car but also only when there is noone else in the car. Generally, the only time if have available to be on my own is when driving to and from work and i find it ok to be open and honest with myself but not with others

I am more open as a passenger... for the reasons marlene outlined I guess. Not as a driver, because im an awful driver and still learning... it would be dangerous if I did anything other than try not to kill someone.