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AIBU?

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Woman stepped out in front of my car

154 replies

User5306921 · 27/09/2025 00:15

I was driving on a relatively busy road. I was going straight but there was a right turn ahead of me.
The traffic going in the opposite direction was at a standstill.

I noticed a woman with her head in her phone, standing at the edge of the footpath.

I'm not sure why, probably the way she was too close to the edge of the path, but I slowed down a bit, I was doing maybe 20 miles under the limit on the road.

The woman literally stepped out on the road right in front of my car. I braked suddenly, thankfully didn't hit her, and she continued walking across, head down, still looking at her phone.

I got an awful shock. The car going in the opposite direction (who had stopped in the traffic jam) threw his hands up in the air. I don't know if he was gesturing at me or at her.

I was so shaken. If I had hit her would my licence be revoked? I don't have dashcam.

Many years ago, I remember my driving instructor telling me to watch out for people on footpaths in case they step out in front of me. I am very watchful when I see elderly people or young kids.

I can't get it out of my mind.

AIBU - It would be my fault if I hit her and I'd lose my licence.
YANBU - This would have been the pedestrian's fault.

OP posts:
tartyflette · 27/09/2025 00:23

A pedestrian stepping out from the pavement and into the road without looking at all is almost certainly at fault.
Lucky you spotted her, sussed what she was going to do and slowed down. Horrible experience for you.

Bobiverse · 27/09/2025 00:19

Did she think you were letting her cross because you slowed down?

If you hadn’t slowed so you were travelling safely at or below the speed limit like you were, and she stepped out and you didn’t have enough time to brake then it wouldn’t have been your fault. They do investigate it. They don’t just say “you’re fault as you’re driving.”

steff13 · 27/09/2025 00:19

I don't know about the laws there, but here in the US it would have been her fault. In fact there was a 7th grade girl a few years ago in my town who ran out in front of a car trying to cross the street. The driver wasn't speeding and she attempted to stop but wasn't able to. She wasn't cited because she wasn't doing anything wrong.

You said she just kept walking did you not honk at her because I would have laid on my horn.

FaceBothered · 27/09/2025 00:17

Of course it would've been her fault from what you've said here?

Why wouldn't it be?

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