Can't believe what an idiot I am!

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I am so mortified. I feel sick with dread!

I used to drive a small car and now drive a bigger car due to having a family and needed the boot space.

Anyway, the problem is I'm
small in stature but I can adjust the seat and everything, however the side mirror and A pillar obscures my view when looking left and right. It feels too big for me but probably just how I am. So I was driving normally and within speed limit, and when I pulled out of a junction after looking both ways, thinking it was clear as I didn't see anything, I pulled out to turn right then a car started hooting loudly to my left. I stopped and I was so close to hitting the car! I felt shocked and so ill. What if it happens again? Imagine if that car had been a few inches forward I would've had an accident!

I feel sick. I feel so angry that I put my little boy who was in the car with me, at risk and other people on the road. I honestly didn't see the car coming. I can't even eat or drink and I am scared to get back in the car again how did I think I was able to drive a bigger car! Am I able to give the car back to the dealer? I have lost all my confidence completely. I've been driving 10 years!

Get a driving lesson in your new car to build your confidence

I just feel sick. It's ridiculous as nothing happened but what about next time? I think I need to change the car again :(

Things like that happen to most people. I'll put money on the same thing not happening to you again cos you'll be hyper vigilant about checking & double checking to make sure you can't see anything coming. Good idea to get a driving lesson if it would help & get back in the car ASAP to help allay the fear.

You can get mirror extenders that expand your blind spot. DH is a driving instructor & he uses them to see what's in the pupils' side mirrors.

bigish car is fine - mine has little orange lights in the mirrors to tell me when someone is there that I may not be able to see

It's the pillar and mirror that seemed to have obscured my view :( it doesn't seem like I'm the only one it happens to! I was in my element having a new car but now I am having second thoughts.

You just need to get used to the differences in your car to the old one. It probably isn't even about the size of the car, just you not being used to different blind spots. You need to learn how to look out of this car to see properly. The pp who suggested a driving lesson in the new car is onto a good idea. It would be good to give you confidence.

It was the same for me when we got a new car, as soon as I realised, I just changed my habits and make sure I lean forwards a bit to check the blind spot. It is scary when someone pops up like that but you probably wouldn't do it again now you know

Many years ago when I was pregnant with ds3 we were in the market for a bigger car/first people carrier. We test drove practically every car going, mainly to see which ones fitted three car seats in properly. There wasn't much we'd found suitable so decided to try a Citroen Picasso, which were all the rage at the time, thinking that as everyone we knew with children had one they must be good. Dh (6 foot tall) could not see past the A pillar, therefore it was off our very short list of what we would consider buying.

If we had ended up buying one he would have had to adjust how he drove to be able to drive it. You might have to try that, try some lessons in your car, see if you can take your car back or trade it in for something else if finances permit. If you are nervous about driving your car now it is worthwhile going out, maybe with someone with you, very soon to help build you up, if you can't get past it your best bet might be to change it though.

We have had two Fiat Multiplas, a Vauxhall Zafira, a Toyota Previa and a Ford Galaxy since and haven't had the same problem with any of those.

I did have a passenger beside me :( if it wasn't for them, I would've probably collided with the car. They was the one who shouted and said what the fuck are you doing?! Then the car hooted and that's when I stopped. I felt mortified and begged them to forget it happened! I just spoke to my hubby about changing car and he is very angry because we've spent so much on this one! Can't say I blame him tbh. I am still shaken and don't feel 100% today. Feel quite low actually :( and I've got to go out and drive it today!

I reversed into a tree last week, in my smart car!!!!

I couldn't see it, I was twisting and turning to see what I had hit, and it was right behind me in that bit directly behind me, so I couldn't see it until I moved forward!!

Felt like a right wally, but relieved it wasn't a car or a person

Blind spots and lapses of attention happen to us all, you are just more aware after

Oh gosh @Sussexbonfireviking ! At least you didn't hit a car or a person like you said. I'd rather damage my car on anything except another car or a person!

I think I need treatment for my horrible anxiety. I never had this with my previous little car. The problem is with me is that I cannot cope with changes. It panics me and gives me horrible anxiety! I lose my appetite and feel very ill. Not sure where it stems from but it massively affects my life and having this near miss accident has hugely exacerbated it :(

God that could've been my husband and son you nearly hit on Monday. Dh is a confident driver but was very shaken up, few seconds later and they'd have been in hospital.

Please be more aware and maybe have a lesson or two in your new car.

@MeetJoeTurquoise A bit OTT there I wasn't going that fast I don't think it would've ended up hospitalising them! I only pulled out and did it slowly. This is why I go slowly wherever I go and I am being more aware now. I just made one stupid mistake not looking around the blind spot area. I feel guilty and shit as it is! I would never, ever want to put anyone's life in danger. I promise you!

Maybe you need a different car. We had a Sharan and I found the visibility dreadful for me. DH had no problem with it, though.

I'm purchasing a booster cushion today and see if that helps. Of course if I still don't feel 100% then I am going to look into part exchanging it. Will lose at least a grand but what's more important? People on the road or the fact that the car is too nice to get rid of? No amount of money is worth someone losing a life/lives because I'm too idiotic enough to not do something about it :(

That is dangerous. You need to either get a new car, or learn to pay much more attention to blind spots. Every car has blind spots. That is why you should never only look once out of your side mirror and pull out.
Please book a few lessons and say you want them in your new car. You are not currently driving safely.

Update:

I've got a cushion specially made for boosting height and oh my goodness me, the difference it has made. I can't believe I didn't get it in the first instant! I feel more confident and I can see every direction and angle as I am higher up than the seat allows me to be raised.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I've said I will do what I can to improve my driving and it has been sorted now. Thanks again! And PS: I am not driving dangerously.

Everyone can and probably does make a mistake/misjudgement. Glad you've found a solution that helps.

Can I ask where you found the cushion, OP? I'd like to try one in my car and see if it helps me as I feel like I'm way too close to the steering wheel.

Don’t beat yourself up Op, nobody actually got hurt. I backed my car into a wall the other day. I’ve had it six years. In my defence it was such a narrow wall I think it slipped between the reversing sensors!

@Rochelaise18 I got it from Halfords

www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/car-seat-covers-cushions/halfords-comfort-cushion

@MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig thank you. I really kicked myself yesterday, I couldn't even sleep properly and was waking up sweating and anxious. So silly I know but things like that really make my anxiety worse! However I have sorted it now and I've noticed my stress levels have decreased massively. TBH if the cushion didn't solve it then I would have no choice but to get rid of a perfectly lovely car.