PTSD and/or driving anxiety can occur post ____________

• A. Surgery
• B. WAD
• C. Injury at work
• D. MVA

Answer: (D)

Trauma from a motor vehicle accident can trigger PTSD and driving anxiety because the crash directly involves the driving situation and safety, making it a salient memory that can be reexperienced when behind the wheel. PTSD features include intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of driving or reminders of the crash, negative changes in thinking, and increased arousal. After an MVA, driving may become associated with threat, leading to avoidance of driving or heightened anxiety while driving, which is the driving anxiety component. While PTSD can occur after other serious events like surgery or workplace injuries, the link to driving anxiety is most direct when the traumatic event centers on a vehicle crash.