the present invention is directed to a flat display device and the driving method thereof having a plurality of display picture elements which are defined by liquid crystal cell portions formed between the scanning and the signal electrodes arranged in the form of a matrix wherein at least scanning electrodes of said scanning and signal electrodes are driven from both terminals of the electrodes by individual driving circuits . a circuit is also included that creates a short circuit across the electrode thus protecting the flat display panel from degradation due to excessive current flowing across the panel before the voltage waveform is stabilized .