When I am driving I get lost all the time. WHY??

Question

The city where I live is not very big or hard to navigate. I get lost in parking lots. I never remember where something is even if I drive there 10 times. I sometimes turn out of a restaurant going to opposite direction of my house and don't realize I am going the wrong way until I have gone miles. I feel like I have no sense of direction, but also that I may have ADD or something.

Answer 1

I find that what helps me most is looking at a map of where I'm going first, before I start. On the map, follow the path to where you want to go and memorize some street names and directions.

Then when you start out, focus on what you are doing and use your GPS in map mode (not directions mode), and use it as you go along to supplement your preparation with the map.

It seems to me, from your description, that you are not focusing on your directions, but have your mind on other things. Don't try to multi-task while driving, as many women are apt to do.  

Answer 2

you may be dyslexic and have ADD?

Well if you don't have any problems with school or college and are getting good grades and are very smart?  ADD is where you are very distracted unable to focus and would have problems in school.  You weren't very specific before so there could be a number of things.  Does it seem like in your head you are always thinking?  Like your brain is always on and its hard to relax or shut it off.  Because that could be OCD?  Or you could just be one of those people that are very smart like book smart but when it comes to maps and locations maybe your brain can't function.  It could be a number of things and perhaps if it is so bothersom you should see a neurologist, physchologist, or talk with your family doctor.

Answer 3

Then you're even more dumb then.  Are you blonde by any chance?

Answer 4

If you are a new driver then don't worry about it.Alot of noobie drivers concentrate on the road too much and lose track of their location.It will come in time.

Answer 5

maybe u dont know ur city as well as u think. or u could talk to a doctor?

Answer 6

When to Stop Driving

We want to continue driving as long as we can do so safely. However, for many of us the time may come when we must limit or stop driving, either temporarily or permanently. The following advice may be able to assist you or someone you care about.

Warning Signs

What are the warning signs when someone should begin to limit driving or stop altogether?

Feeling uncomfortable and nervous or fearful while driving

Dents and scrapes on the car or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs etc.

Difficulty staying in the lane of travel

Getting lost

Trouble paying attention to signals, road signs and pavement markings

Slower response to unexpected situations

Medical conditions or medications that may be affecting the ability to handle the car safely

Frequent "close calls" (i.e. almost crashing)

Trouble judging gaps in traffics at intersections and on highway entrance/exit ramps

Other drivers honking at you and instances when you are angry at other drivers

Friends or relatives not wanting to drive with you

Difficulty seeing the sides of the road when looking straight ahead

Easily distracted or having a hard time concentrating while driving

Having a hard time turning around to check over your shoulder while backing up or changing lanes

Frequent traffic tickets or "warnings" by traffic or law enforcement officers in the last year or two

If you notice one or more of these warning signs you may want to have your driving assessed by a professional or attend a driver refresher class (see resources at the bottom of this page). You may also want to consult with your doctor if you are having unusual concentration or memory problems, or other physical symptoms that may be affecting your ability to drive

Most drivers monitor themselves and gradually limit or stop driving when they feel that a certain driving situation or driving in general is not safe. However, some people fail to recognize declining abilities, or they fear stopping to drive because it will make them permanently dependent on others for the necessities of life, and it may reduce their social and leisure activities as well. Conditions such as dementia or early stages of Alzheimers' disease may make some drivers unable to evaluate their driving properly.

Step 1 – Assess the situation. See the 15 warning signs listed above. It will help to personally ride with the person and observe driving habits first hand.

Step 2 – Begin a process of having conversations about driving with the driver. As people age they tend to look first to family members (spouse and children) for candid advice concerning their well-being and health issues. Have conversations early and often. Start the conversation out of a sincere sense of caring for the person's well-being and base it on things you have observed.

Step 3 – Suggest various options, depending on the degree of impairment. One size does not fit all and while stopping driving may be the only answer in some cases, stopping driving too early can cause a person's overall health to decline prematurely. includeYou may want to:

Take a classroom refresher course such as the AARP Driver Safety Program

Order the AARP Driver Assessment Guide, "Older Driver Skill Assessment and Resource Guide: Creating Mobility Choices." (See ordering information below.)

Seek additional information from other Web sites on topics such as behind-the-wheel assessment, counseling from private or public sources, remedial training, and/or adaptive equipment from an occupational therapist. (See our Web Resources listing.)

Limit driving to certain times of day or familiar areas.

Encourage the driver to consider and gradually begin using other methods of transportation such as rides from family and friends, public transportation, paratransit services, taxis or other public or private transportation options in your community. Accompany the person during initial trials of alternate forms of transportation.

Contact local motor vehicle office. Your state Department of Motor Vehicles may have programs to evaluate individual driving abilities or may offer special licensing alternatives. Remember, their goal is not to take licenses away, but to help people keep driving as long as they safely can. Contact the state for more information.