Gephyrophobia: Fear of crossing bridges is now in the spotlight
Big bridge: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which stretches for four miles, can be a scary place for someone with gephyrophobia, the fear of crossing bridges. Enough people have fear problems there that a special program is available to hire drivers to take gephyrophobes across the bridge.I’ve learned a new word this week: gephyrophobia (pronounced JEFF-ri-o-FO-bia).
Of course, it’s the fear of crossing bridges. Last week’s bridge collapse has most people a little more on edge when going over a bridge, but for some people it’s been like that for years.
And the medical definition of gephyrophobia is pretty interesting. This comes from MedicineNet.com: Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. Their fear may result partly from the fear of enclosure (claustrophobia) or the fear of heights (acrophobia). Phobic drivers may worry about being in an accident in busy traffic or losing control of their vehicles. High bridges over waterways and gorges can be especially intimidating, as can be very long or very narrow bridges.
Old and new: Here's another cool Chesapeake Bay Bridge photo that gives a better scale of the incredible height of the bridge. (Photos from Maryland Transportation Authority)USA Today had a story about a program for gephyrophobic drivers in the Chesapeake Bay Bridge area of Maryland. That bridge is four miles long and for years, Maryland’s Transportation Authority had a special program for gephyrophobic drivers. With call ahead, they could be met at the bridge by a bridge driver who would hop in their car and drive it over the bridge. Last year, more than 4,000 people took advantage of that program. That number grew so high, private contractors have now been hired to provide the service. What once was a free service now costs $25 a trip.
At the Mackinac Straits Bridge in Michigan, a five-mile suspension span that’s the third-longest bridge in the country, about 1,200 people take advantage of a similar, free driving service to cross that bridge.
But last week’s headlines may also be a blessing in disquise for those with gephyrophobia. A Washington Post story on the condition reports that therapists haven’t been swamped with calls from people with the condition.
"Before this happened, people who were anxious about it might have come in to work on their fear of bridges and tunnels because it was an irrational fear," said Jean Ratner, who runs the Center for Travel Anxiety in Bethesda, Md. "But with that bridge collapsing, their fears seem justified. It doesn't seem so irrational anymore."
What do you think about gephyrophobia? Have you ever experienced it? Any tips for people on how to deal with it? Share your thoughts here at Science Buzz.
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I just happened to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for the first time this past Friday on my way to Delaware for a wedding. Traffic from Washington DC to the bridge was horrible (which I guess is the norm during the summer), but as soon as we got on the bridge it became even worse due to a three-car accident in the left lane. According to MapQuest the entire trip was supposed to take 2 hours, but instead took 4 hours! But despite that, and the fact that we had watched hours of the Minneapolis bridge collapse on the news over the two previous days, driving over it wasn't that big a deal. On the return trip to Washington we opted to drive up through Wilmington and down through Baltimore, not because of any fear of the bridge collapsing, but rather intense anxiety of being stuck in another two-hour traffic jam. Our return trip took only 2.5 hours.
I'm not understanding the pronunciation given for this word.
shouldn't it be jeff-i-ro-fo-bia?
oddly enough, this word isn't in my dictionary.
Thanks!
According to A Charlie Brown Christmas (written by St. Paul native Charles Shultz), it's JEFF-ih-ROW-be-uh.
I turned down a teaching job in Accoumack, Va because of that dang Chesapeake Bridge and tunnel. I already have asthma, and just getting over the bridge collasping in New Orleans (one i use to travel on in and out of New Orleans), then with the latest bridge collaspsing a few months ago. That bridge is too long and all the talk about the levies and the poor conditions our nations bridges are in, and the sorry way that they are maintained and checked for safety..........no way. If i have to cross over a bridge it would have to be a surprise......willfully, I am not crossing.
Only about four years ago did I realize I get the jitters when crossing large scale bridges. The irony is that I studied Civil Engineering in college and graduate school - who would have know that some 10 years later, I'd develop gephyrophobia (learned a new word, too). I don't actually feel like the structure will collapse. It's more just the imposing bulk of some bridges that gets me scared. I have trouble breathing, sometimes even gasp and my heartrate increases. It's awful and very annoying at the same time because I have to go out of my way in some cases just to avoid them!!! I wonder what triggered this fear. I guess it's good to know I'm not the only one who has this phobia.
I found out a few years ago that I suffer from this phobia (gephyrophobia). Mine is related to a fear of heights (acrophobia), but the fear of bridges is much worse than any fear of heights. For me it is only manifest when driving across the high arch type of bridge where your car is aiming up in the air and you can't see over the crest of the bridge. I can walk across such a span with no problem, but when driving, the fear becomes one of losing control of the vehicle and smashing into other cars on the bridge. It's easier if no other vehicles are on the bridge while I'm driving across. A long and/or narrow bridge that does not arch is not a problem, but any arch in the bridge is magnified in my perception while on the bridge. Ski lift chairs are not much of a problem for me but I don't like roller coasters or ferris wheels. This appears to have started after age 40 and I cannot recall any particular incident which may have triggered such irrational fear.
I know how you feel, I had no problem with driving over anything in any weather condition. ( especially lightening storms) About two years ago plus, I drove my mom over from Staten Island to NJ over the Outerbridege Crossing and experienced the most heart gripping experience.... I nearly stopped in the middle. ...Did not drive over anything more that a creek for nearly 20 months....
This can fear can be dealt with and it really helps when family / friends understand what you fear... Some may find it funny or strange, you should immediately dismiss anyone who calls it stupid.... this is a really a fear of loss of control and should never be ignored.. There are people that count on you being in control and safe.
Take the bridges on (small ones first ) and take a deep breath, listen to Peter Framptom ( OK showing my age ) or whatever tune makes you feel good. Have someone you trust with you, talk it out while your driving......
Still cannot do the Verrazano like I used too, but I can now do the Driscoll over the Raritan going to the NJ shore..
These things do happen, I do not condemn myself, I just take one mile or overpass at a time... If that mile goes over a bridge without a problem, I've just about won.
I had been driving over the Bay Bridge for years without a problem. When I heard that there were people who were too scared to cross I thought "wow, what a strange fear!" and went on zooming across, enjoying the view of the Bay with the seagulls flying right up there with you.
Then about a year ago I noticed that I would feel a little anxious as I drove over -similar to the other comments posted here, it wasn't a fear that the bridge would collapse; it was more like vertigo compounded by the looong span of the tall bridge. It was a pretty mild feeling though, until the most recent time crossing. This last time that I drove over I actually started to panic - sweaty palms, racing heart, feeling light-headed. The worst part, mentally, was the realization that there was no emergency pull-off so if I actually wanted to stop my car it would cause a traffic jam, or even an accident.
Luckily I found a spot to drive behind a tractor-trailer which took up my view and distracted/calmed me down enough to cross. I did drink coffee that morning, which I usually don't do, so I'm hoping that it was just the exaggerating stimulant effects of caffeine playing on my usually-mild nervousness about crossing the bridge.
However, now I'm concerned about trying to cross again, and I have to attend meetings on the shore every so often. I'm thinking of taking the extra time to go up and around through Harford/Cecil instead which is really inconvenient but better than possibly freaking out on the Bay Bridge!
Final thoughts: if you are crossing the bay bridge and someone is going slowly over in the right lane, don't tailgate them! They might be realizing that they too are now in the unfortunate class of gephyrophobic drivers.
I live in New Jersey and my boyfriend lives on Long Island.. Up until recently I was able to cross bridges no problem, I've always been a little anxious but that was all- I've driven over many in NJ (getting onto the Parkway and to Long Beach Island), many in PA and MD (going back to school, even the Del Memorial and going into OC).. I've driven over the Verazzano, Goethals, GWB, and Throgs Neck.
Last week when I was leaving NY I had a panic attack on the Verazzano. I'm not sure why, because I've driven over twice before. I am also afraid of heights which may be a reason why.
Today I had to drive back into NY, and I had two little panic attacks on the GWB and Throgs Neck, which is VERY strange because I have driven over them too many times to count.
And to what Rick said, about my car aiming up in the air, I think that is what did it for me also. The GWB is pretty flat and never gave me a problem, and is short enough that I don't reach a peak in the attack, I begin to get it and then I see the end of the bridge and I start to feel calm.
None of the websites have been helpful, they say to go on medication (which I am not going to do because I drive over bridges during my college breaks).. or to pull over, which isn't an option on a bridge and probably contributes to my fear. Is all that is left for me to try is adding license plate numbers and reciting baby names??
THAT TROGS NECK IS A BEAST.
Panic attack going, panic attack coming.
Take the Whitestone, alot easier.
I was in the san francisco area just 2 weeks be fore the 1988 (?) earthquake -- the one during the World Series. I drove back and forth across the Bay Bridge several times. That's the one that collapsed. As close as I would like to come! After the 35W bridge went down (20 minutes before I was due to cross it!) I had some problems crossing Missippi bridges although it mostly passed in a month or so.
Just like many of you, I used to be able to cross just about any bridge without a second thought, until 4 years ago when driving my SUV across the Delaware Memorial Bridge from Delaware to NJ. The winds were strong that day, and I suddenly had a panic attack heading toward the middle of the span (sweaty palms, light-headed, racing heart,etc.).
Now ever since that day I can't cross a suspension bridge without getting panicked for days ahead of time thinking about it, or having the same attack when actually crossing it. I haven't tried drugs or any serious therapy...yet at least.
One of the strangest things is that I can cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to this day without a second thought still, so this has to be height-related...I think.
Drive more often with same bridge that may relief fear of crossing tall bridges.
I AM PRETTY FOR SURE I HAVE ALOT OF PHOBIAS IM PETRIFIED OF THUNDERSTORMS I HIDE WHEN I KNOW ITS COMMING,AND I PANIC THREW THE WHOLE THING,
IM ALSO AFRAID OF ELEVATORS I WONT GO IN ONE ALONE OR UP TO HIGH REGUARDLESS
IM AFRAID OF GETTING INTO A CAR BUT I PUSH MYSELF ONCE IN A WHILE IM AFRAID OF GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT
I AM REALLY SCARED OF TRACTOR TYRAILERS AND BUSSES SO I DONT GO ON HIGH WAYS AT ALL
ITS EASIER FOR ME TO TAKE THE CITY BUS WHERE EVER I HAVE TO GO ITS WEIRD I KNOW
IM ALSO AFRAID OF SECOND FLOORS SO I HAVE TO HAVE MY BEDROOM ON 1ST FLOOR IM AFRAID THERES GONNA BE A FIRE
I REALLY WANT TO GET OVER THESE FEARS I HAVE BAD NERVES AND PANICKATTACKS ALSO IF IM IN A STORE SOMETIMES I DO FINE AND SOMETIMES I FEEL LIGHT HEADED
IM SCARED OF DRS SO I DONT GO
IM AFRAID OF BLOOD WOPRK SO I HAVNT HAD IT DONE IN 3 YEARS
IM SCARED OF DENTIST AND I REALLY NEED TO GO BUT I CANT
IF ANYONE HAS ANY WAYS OF HELPING ME PLEASE EMAIL ME AS SOON AS POSSABLE AT DICK5853@YAHOO.COM THANKS
Mine is related to a fear of heights (acrophobia). The MD bay bridge east bound is not a good trip from me. The 3 miles to get to the top is nerve racking. The problem is I can see right through the side retainer metal railing to below. With no place to look but to your side, it just creates a sence of climbing the big hill of a roler coaster for 3 miles going up. If they just could block the side walls with some view removing material that allows wing through would help big time. I think a number of driver and myself would be OK by just blocking the side walls view to the buttom. This sounds like it would not be a major cost to implement. Ofcoarse I was able to drive any briage any time until I reached age 50. Then this brige crossing problem started, but only with the MD Bay Bridge. But this is the only bridge that a driver is forced to see the hight, all the other bridges I drive like Golden Gate, Varizano and others do not create this hight sensation like the MD bay bridge does. I hope somebody reads this and fixes this problem as I would like to buy a summer house in Rohobeth but this MD Bat bridge is causing me to reconsider.
Please help!
Like many of you, I am terrified of the Chesapeake Bay bridge that crosses over to Maryland. It is a fear of heights and being trapped if we have to sit in traffic on this thing. It is imposing just looking at it from a distance knowing that you have to get in line and go over it. I keep thinking "what if we get stuck on this up in the air in traffic and cannot get off of it for a long time". I think that I would get sick. I crossed it last year as a passenger and had to take a tranquilizer. Trust me, it helped, but not completely. If the traffic would have stopped I would have still had a full blown panic attack. We are planning a trip again this summer to the eastern shore and I am already nervous about having to cross this bridge. I wish my husband would take the long way around it but he won't. My fear of it is so bad, that I am considering going someplace else on vacation. That is awful. I sympathize with everyone who has this fear.
Has anyone else had this problem and do they know a cause or cure? I get very dizzy and light headed while driving up a steep bridge. My speed decreases the whole time i am climbing the bridge yet, when i get to the top, I am fine. My speed picks back up and I drive down with no problems at all. I don't know if I am experiencing vertigo or what. It's just odd that I am fine on most bridges, it is only when I am climbing a steep bridge.
I've always felt a bit nervous with heights and some bridges if the floor of the bridge was grating but last year I drove over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and absolutely freaked! My entire body stiffened, I couldn't breathe, my heart raced, I started driving left of center and reduced my speed to about 30mph. I know the cars behind me weren't thrilled but it was either that or stop my car, lay down on the seat and curl up into the fetal position. Rick (1/09 post) you are so right when you write that the high arch of the bridge makes it worse because it does for me as well. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster approaching the top of the hill before the cars take that sudden drop. Bridges with open sides where I can see how high up I actually am also cause great panic. For me it's not a fear of the bridge caving in but rather the fear that I am going to fall off the side of it. I had to have a driver bring me back over the Bay Bridge as just thinking about the drive brought on sheer panic. I was fine as long as he stayed in the middle lane but the moment he shifted to the far right lane, the panic returned. It seems narrow bridges bring on the same fear. Oddly, there are bridges or over-passes I can drive over without issue. I'm not sure if any of you saw Chris Cuomo on Good Morning America take the Dare and jump off Trump Towers in Atlantic City, NJ. I watched it in my living room and was screaming at the TV when he inched his way to the edge of the building so he could slide off. Panic set in as I could feel the absolute horror and fear associated with that height and I wasn't the one at the edge of that building. I almost feel as if the Bay Bridge incident left me with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and have thought I should seek help for it. This is rather new for me so if anyone out there has found anything that has helped them, please let me know...my job depends on it as you see, I travel as part of my job and the majority of it is driving. Thanks for listening.
I have progressively been getting worse about driving over bridges, through tunnels, or on wide open highways for that last few years. At this time I will make alternative driving routes just to avoid many of them and it always sounded rational to me. I finally asked my primary physician about it the other day after my father and I had a long talk about it. I always felt as though it was a physical health problem because we both have the same issues. I have never had a "fear" of heights or the bridges, I just feel like I can't focus, that I am off balance in these cases. My doctor on the other hand basically thought I was crazy and assumed that I had bigger problems to deal with in my life. She thinks that perhaps I have lost a sense of control in my life and this is how my body reacts to the "big picture". I will admit that I am a bit conservative, not a big risk taker, but lead a very happy balanced life. So by the end of the appointment I left with three different prescriptions for anxiety and anti-depression and to top it off an appointment with the psychiatrist next week. I am not a big believer in daily medications of any sort and am determined to find the real root of my problems. For now i will continue to try and make alternative routes and as someone else wrote earlier, placing yourself behind the big semi does help. I find it helps block the horizon and allows me to focus directly ahead of me, even if it takes me longer to get to my destination, at least I get there in one piece. Good luck to everyone! LH
I have tried to find the courage to travel to america all my life, or going anywhere that might involve heights. I am frightened of flying and of high bridges which I know are silly irrational fears but they have ruined my life as I have held myself back from traveling, always fearing whats around the next corner, if its a bridge or high motorway, if someone can help me in overcoming these crippling silly fears I would be truly thankful as I am of an age now when I cant wait to long in fulfilling my dream of visiting america, thanking you James
Hello James ... I have the exact same fear. I am ashamed to admit it might just ruin my life.
I have had it for a long time (30+ years) and it has restricted my life - alot. Before I got married 8 years ago, I told my wife about this "crippling silly fear"
she was not to impressed, but she has been very supportive - to a point.
If I have been somewhere before, then I know what to expect - I usually am fine to drive and travel, however, bridges and very high over-passes on highways I am very scared and have panic attacks. It is very difficult to deal with. I have tried unsuccessfully to get help with this and I feel it will ruin my life and my marriage. I would give anything to conquer this and wish you the best of luck!
I have never really been comfortable with heights. The older I get, the worse it becomes. Bridges and mountain highways (with overlooking views) are absolutely the worst. My heart is racing now just reading the previous posts. For me it's about a loss of control. I feel that if I am in a car, I am just as helpless as on a runaway horse. What if I have a blowout, the truck behind me hits me, or my driving is compromised due to a panic attack. AND, it's not irrational, I have accumulated enough stories, even ones from close friends, over my lifetime to justify my fears. (I won't dare share any of them and add to yours.)
I work out in the field and am on the road quite a bit. There are a few bridges I can handle (short distance, high and safe sides, visibility of height not so obvious, flat grade, etc.) There are some I won't even attempt, for fear of a panic attack, and will do whatever is necessary to detour around them. I will even become paniced days in advance (I'm afraid I'll miss my planned detour turnoff and wind up being forced over the damn thing). Not only is it interfering with my life, I really WISH I could be one of those folks who enjoys the view.
I found this page because I really would love to (need to) do something about it and was doing some web-surfing. I understand that therapy using virtual reality is offering some success. I am going to look into it. I suggest the same for all of you.
I have traveled the bay bridge for many years and have enjoyed it. Then in my late forties I had a HUGE panic attack on the westbound bridge. The old eastbound bridge does not feel as open on the sides and does not have the appearance of a drop off as the westbound newer bridge does. The westbound has open sides and you can't see the whole bridge almost as if you are walking a gangplank. I no longer go to the beach. It's too terrifying, the bridge. For me it is not a fear of height, water, falling, crashing, but just a visual effect that my brain has problems dealing with. I think the westbound definitely needs to feel more closed in on the sides and should have had a curve put in it so you can see the other side of the bridge. I have tried three times to cross and after making it to the top and seeing the other side, I start calming down but the terrifying trip before I get to that point is too much to bear. I did try pulling a snout cap down over my head and putting the visors down over the side windows to cut my view as much as possible. It helped a little but not enough to do it again. Anyone know how to get to the beach from southern pa without taking this bridge?
I live in southern PA and I go to Virginia Beach. The bridges and tunnels there are easy to cross. I have not been able to cross the Bay Bridge since I became a mom. I worry about accidents occuring while up that high and so unprotected. The last two fatal accidents on the Bay Bridge are keeping me off that bridge for good but you can get to OC driving up north and over into Delaware.
I too suffer from fear of driving over the MD bay bridge. I go from D.C up 95, around Baltimore or through it and just before the Delaware Mem. bridge I cut over to Christiana Delaware and take route 13 all the way down to Rehoboth or Ocean City, MD. You have to scoot over the C & D canal bridge but that's easy. I fish under the bay bridge all the time and I say to myself 'I can do that', but the last time I freaked out and have never been over it since. Didn't start this stuff until my fifties. I really bugs me. I tried Paxil once and no effect whatsoever. Stopped taking it. I wish they would bring back the car ferries. I feel like such a wimp. I was airborne infantry and fear very little but high narrow bridges.
Yesterday I drove over the Bay Bridge Maryland. I never really new there were that many people with a fear of driving over bridges until I googled up images of the bridge to show some family and landed upon this sight. I've always had a problem but it has gotten worse as I get older. Not only did I have to go over this bridge, I ended up on the single lane going on the opposite side of the bridge(westbound side). My daughter (17) offered to drive over,but that wasn't until we were already on the bridge and I was hyperventilating. I didn't really think it was a good idea to stop at that point!?! Needless to say we made it , but I would have gladly paided the $25 for someone else to do it for me. Being an extreme claustrophic it was interesting to read that that is possibly part of the problem. I'm not afraid of heights at all just driving on bridges. I'm certain the view was beautiful, but it was hard to see through the narrowing tunnel vision I was getting from hyperventilating?!?! I've driven the George Washington a millions times but always on the lower level and it doesn't bother me that much. It definitely has something to do with wide open space around me on other bridges. Good thing I don't have to drive that bridge often.
i drive of the st. georges bridge on my way to the de/md beaches. the panic attacks seem to worsen with age (sweaty palms, shortness of breath, dizziness). if i can find another way around, i'll go that way instead.
Ihaven't really gotten scared of crossing bridges but the 35w crash really freaked me out a little bit because that day i was going to go to Wisconsin and we had to cross the bridge to get to our destination. But our plans changed a few hours before we were going to leave. Our guardians decided they didn't wnt to drive through the night because they had a long day and were probably going to get tired so we decided to go the next day. I think if my parents hadn't thought of that I wouldn't be here right now.
After reading through all of these post. I find that I too and the victim of the notorious Bay Bridge. I am 39 years old and have traveled all over the United States but, a recent transplant to Maryland. One day my family and I wanted to take a trip to Delaware and followed the GPS program right to the foot of the Bay Bridge. it was the most intimidating span that I had ever seen in my life. As I started moving onto the bridge I was able to see nothing but an high arch. I could see the other side to land due to the slight mist. I found it extremely difficult to keep focused on my driving. I tried focusing on the centerline and using my peripheral vision to navigate the 4 mile span. I made one trip across, and one trip back. from that point on my nerves have been absolutely destroyed when approaching a bridge. I grew up in the Pittsburgh area where there are bridges everywhere. I have no problem crossing the bridge is going to the tunnels or anything like that in my own familiar area. But when I hit the open highways I remain stressed out wondering if I'll come across a large bridge. I have never had this before in my life but over the last six months it is nearly incapacitated me, and make me hate driving. If anyone is currently on any kind of medication that seems to help please advise us via this post. Any help on this end would be greatly appreciated.
I too have this problem. It did not develop until I went across the CBBT. I could not wait until I was back on solid ground. At first I thought I was getting sea sick, but without being on a boat. I don't have a problem with most bridges, just the larger ones that span long distances. I don't like stopping in traffic on bridges either because I can feel the bridge vibrating when cars are coming from the other direction. I also have problems with tunnels now. Any tunnel that goes underwater or the longer ones that go under the mountain ranges like the ones along the Pennsylvania Turnpike heading west. I'm getting ready to drive back across the PA Turnpike next week and am not looking forward to that part of the ride. When my family goes on vacation down to the Outerbanks, I always make them go the long way to avoid most tunnels & the CBBT and I also make sure I'm driving since I feel worse when I'm not.
I just returned from crossing both ways over the Harry Nice Bridge (Hwy 301 over the Potomac River between VA and MD). We've been stopped before for bridge work and I dread it. Last time I was driving and we were at the very top that thing Rick talked about in his comments, when you can not see over the top and it took deep breathing and lots of talking to myself to keep me from getting out of control. Today, same thing except - stopped high on the bridge - my husband was driving and after one quick look affirming I could not see over the bridge and one quick look over the side confirming if the bridge collapsed that would be the end of us, a deep breath and I opened a book to read while we waited. Not looking and keeping my eyes glued to a book is much better.
I've known for a long time I have a mild case of bridge phobia but until today I did not bother to look up the name - gephyrophobia. I told my husband it's not so much the fear of heights but not being in control and expecting something terrible to happen and no way to deal with it. Deb said the same thing in her posting and described well the feeling of no control.
I wondered what causes this fear and was interested in all the comments. I have had asthma all my adult life and I am quite claustrophobic and not crazy about heights but don't mind being on the high floor of a building or crossing high bridges as long as I can see ahead. Crossing the bay bridge is a little frightening but as long as I look nowhere except straight ahead I can manage. Last year we were in Chianti country in Tuscany where the roads are steep, hairpin curves and no guard rails - I could not get behind the driver's wheel. Fortunately, my husband was a good sport and did all the driving.
Good to have folks to learn from and share with. I've only got a mild case but I can certainly sympathize with others. Good luck!!
I have the biggest fear of bridges and I feel it is really keeping from doing things that I would love to do but it really is a sickness, If anyone has any clues on how to get over this I would love it, my daughter and I was suppose to go away for the weekend to another state, but I cant because what if there is a bridge? Now I have disappointed her because of this fear I would love to conquer.
This is directed at all the people who have a problem with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (the high one not the long one).
Just go up and around. I also have a problem with the bridge. For a while I used to get directly behind a tractor-trailer till it filled my vision (not a safe thing to do) to make it over the bridge.
Now I just go up north on I-95 then take Delaware Route 1 south and by-pass the bridge all together.
With our families, my brother and I go to the Rehoboth Beach each year in separate cars. We stay together traveling east on I-70 until Fredrick MD. Then he takes I-270 and the Bay Bridge and I stay on I-70 and go clockwise around Baltimore to I-95. My route is only 20 miles longer but half the time I get to the beach before he does due to the traffic jams at the Bay Bridge. Here's another hint. Get off I-95 at Havre De Grace and take Route 40 across the Susquehanna River. The I-95 toll booth is on the other side of the Susquehanna River and it will cause traffic to back up all the way across the river. So you'll be stuck on the I-95 bridge for a long time. Use the Havre De Grace bridge to bypass the whole mess.
Been there, Done that.
It's very intriguing that these fears develop more intensely in the 30s and 40s age range.
I am 41 and have recently become very irrational whilst driving across high bridges that have open sides. My hands become sweaty, I cannot breathe properly, my speed slows down to a crawl and I have the bizarre desire to drive off the side !!
I have just returned from touring Europe where the average road /autoroute speed is 120 to 160 kmh ...imagine finding yourself suddenly on a 700m high bridge at these speeds without any warning !!!!
The German bridges are much better having wind deflectors that are not see through ...unfortunately they enjoy telling you the height and length at the beginning of the bridge !!
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