A review by hannahleelovestoread
Healing Behind the Wheel: Navigating Trauma-Informed Traffic Safety by Janelle Marie

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is a master class in how to recover from trauma induced by a motor vehicle accident.  As the title suggests, the book advises an active approach re-exposing oneself to driving again as soon as possible after the traumatic accident. But readers aren’t left with only that vague advice; this book provides numerous, specific examples of therapeutic methods, lifestyle changes, and self-soothing techniques which are scientifically proven to be helpful in healing post-traumatic stress. 

For me, this was an emotional read. I have been in a physically and emotionally traumatic car accident, as have several of my family members. Numerous solutions suggested in this book were vital to my recovery and that of my loved ones. Some of my favorites were 4-7-8 breathing, exposure therapy, and establishing a safety check routine for each time I drive. I’m so thankful to the author for providing others who live with motor-vehicle-accident-induced trauma with an outlet that could help them live happier lives. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Car accident