Almost twice as many women in Spain as men suffer from amaxophobia or phobia of driving or riding as a passenger in cars, trains or other vehicles.

People often develop amaxophobia after being involved in or witnessing a serious traffic accident, or if they lose a loved one in a car accident.

According to a survey done by the Mapfre Foundation's Institute for Road Safety, 8.5 million people in Spain - 33% of all those who have a driving licence - admit to being scared of driving in certain circumstances, including bad weather, heavy traffic, nighttime driving and journeys they've never done before.

Some 1.5 million people - 6% of all drivers - suffer from "incapacitating amaxophobia", i.e. they are completely unable to take the wheel of a car.

The majority of those affected are women over 40, who have either suffered or witnessed a serious accident.  Many of those affected have had their driving licence for more than 15 years, don't drive very often and admit that they panicked at the thought of having to take the wheel just a few years after passing their test.

According to the report, amaxophobia also affects drivers who fear the lack of control, who are insecure and who regularly feel stressed or depressed.  Those affected often suffer other phobias and are fearful of flying or being enclosed in small spaces.

According to the experts, they tend to be highly responsible and conscientious people, perfectionists who like to have everything under control, including driving.  At the slightest sign of risk, they prefer not to drive and invent excuses not to leave the house, meaning that they turn into people used to changing their plans at the last minute.

Those who have no choice but to drive with this condition, do so with anxiety, nervousness, tachycardia and sweaty palms.

More than half of those affected drive only sporadically, making short journeys along roads they know well, and with a number of other limitations like always having someone with them, not driving at night or in the rain, or when traffic is particularly heavy.

Like other phobias, amaxophobia can be treated and cured, but the first step is recognising it amongst family and friends.