I am a fairly new driver in my late 30s and in the last month or so I've had my first car I've been driving almost every day. I really enjoy the experience and it helps I have a half decent car to drive. I waited several years to learn as I didn't bother to learn living in London nearly my entire life so I guess this is catching up for all that lost time.
However despite this, since I started I have developed what I would call new driver paranoia. Every week, I keep having this thought that my mistakes are being captured and watched on camera and I have had a few sloppy moments. I then go on Google maps and examine the area and try and see if there are any cameras or cctv in that specific area!
Anyway, I have received one fine so far for going down a "no motor vehicles" zone which was really annoying as the car sat nav led me down a strange road where this was (still my fault though)! And I think I may have one more to come for going down another no motor vehicles zone...sigh.
But at least these ones are just fines, and I can deal with the fines, I just can't have any points and I think that's what's stressing me out. You get 6 points and your license is revoked. And I realise this is for more serious offences but still, I am anxious because it seems harsh. I feel like this could easily happen with alot of people out there. That said, I don't speed, infact I'm very careful with this and I will never run a red light or drive recklessly, obviously but the thought or slipping up and being caught is causing this tension. It is a disruptive feeling because my driving itself is fine, I'm feeling very confident in my actual ability and skill and I do believe I drive well, it's just worrying about the odd mistake here or there and I guess being at the wrong time and wrong place.
I know most of you have been driving for many years most likely but I wonder if anyone had these same feelings when you first started to drive. I should say driving in London also can be a whole different experience than the rest of the country, where I believe the experience is so much less stressful.