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Original poster

Shaken after reversing

30 replies

shufflestep · 10/11/2023 08:38

Just posting because I need to tell someone really! I was leaving for work this morning, started to reverse to get out of the parking space. Checked my wing mirror for things coming behind, over my shoulder out of the rear windscreen, put the car into reverse and looked at the reversing camera. Started to reverse slowly, then a woman with a dog appeared inches behind me having obviously been crossing the road.

I brake, she thumps the car clearly very cross, I hold my hand up to apologise, she goes on her way. They were not hit. Feeling very shaky now, but I'm not sure what else I could have done? In fact if it wasn't for the reversing camera I wouldn't have seen them as soon as I did. Is it me, or should you be careful walking behind a reversing car!

I'm feeling terrible, but I genuinely don't know what else I could have done.

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 10/11/2023 08:41

That’s happened to me before and it’s a horrible fright. Chances are she didn’t notice you were reversing but also the reversing camera doesn’t always notify when people are walking past.

Id try put it behind you and do an extra check next time.

Newthingsahead · 10/11/2023 08:42

I never walk behind a reversing car

Saucery · 10/11/2023 08:42

Someone will be along soon to tell you that you should have reversed into the parking space.....

It was a close call but you did see the woman. Personally, when I'm walking the dog I assume drivers haven't seen me and steer wide or stop so they can see me. Shrug it off, think of all the times people haven't appeared suddenly or you have seen them in plenty of time.

DustyLee123 · 10/11/2023 08:43

I agree with pp, don’t walk behind a reversing car.

prescribingmum · 10/11/2023 08:45

As a pedestrian, I don’t walk behind a car with reverse lights unless the driver has signalled for me to go.

As a driver, I reverse into spaces so I’m always driving out forward with a clear view of everything around me

TheBeatles · 10/11/2023 08:46

Technically you were 'in the wrong' but given that we as humans are unable to see in all directions at once, there is always going to be that split-second window for someone to walk behind the car. Which is why when we're pedestrians we need to be aware of what drivers are doing.

I live near a crosswalk and sometimes see people walking over it as the sun is going down and it's bloody obvious that oncoming drivers can't see that well because they have the sun in their eyes. I don't know why you wouldn't just wait for a moment to be sure the driver has seen you, and potentially save your own life!

(I don't have a car by the way so don't have the attitude that drivers are always in the right. It's just that I know they're not superhuman.)

Bonbon21 · 10/11/2023 08:49

You must understand that no matter how stupid the pedestrian it will always be the drivers fault!
They can wander off the pavement without looking around and step straight into the path of a car ... and it will still be the drivers fault.
They can push a buggy of the pavement without checking for traffic .... and it will still be the drivers fault.
You have had a fright... and it does shake you up when this happens... but you did all the right things.... and maybe she will USE HER EYES the next time she is walking her pooch!
Deep breath... and carry on. x

Original poster
shufflestep · 10/11/2023 09:03

Thanks, feeling a bit better for hearing other people have had similar things! I was parked on the road with a car in front of me, so unfortunately reversing is necessary to get out of the space!

OP posts:
Saucery · 10/11/2023 09:11

In that case she was very silly to cross the road into the space behind you.

prescribingmum · 10/11/2023 09:13

Agree with PP, if you were between 2 cars and parked on a street, she was incredibly stupid to cross a road directly behind you. It would have been obvious you were moving with your engine and reverse lights on

topnoddy · 10/11/2023 09:22

The woman should have been looking where she was going and saw your reversing lights , I drive a small van and it's worse because i can't see out of the side windows at the back .

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/11/2023 09:24

prescribingmum · Today 08:45
**
As a pedestrian, I don’t walk behind a car with reverse lights unless the driver has signalled for me to go.
**
As a driver, I reverse into spaces so I’m always driving out forward with a clear view of everything around “

This. Been driving for decades but very quickly realised that an awful lot of pedestrians don’t pay attention in car parks.

AbbeyGailsParty · 10/11/2023 09:26

Reversing beepers. They come as the reversing light and you just get a garage to swap one in. DH and I lived in a country where elderly women especially seemed obsessed with walking behind reversing cars, always dragging a shopping trolley. I had beepers fitted & they stayed out of my way!

ThinkingAgainAndAgain · 10/11/2023 09:30

I probably check way too many times before reversing as I’m always worried about this happening to me. We have a reversing camera and beeping noises to warn about something crossing behind you. I still check loads though as they don’t pick up everything early enough.

I became a much better pedestrian when I became a driver. And I am always pointing out to 15yo DS when we’re in the car how hard it is to see pedestrians especially when you’re stationery or driving slowly and they come from behind to the left and cross across the front of the car, or when it’s dark or getting dark.

AnxiousPangolin · 10/11/2023 09:31

People who walk behind reversing vehicles then get angry with the driver are idiots.

daisydalrymple · 10/11/2023 09:44

I’m finding Pedestrians are getting much worse at walking out and thinking they have right of way. Our local town isn’t pedestrianised, there’s a proper road as the high street. People just walk out without looking as if there’s no cars there. Same as in Tesco / Asda car park. I especially hate it at night as so many people wear dark coats and aren’t as visible.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 10/11/2023 09:49

Maybe I’m an awful person but I’d have got out and shouted at her if she’d have thumped my car!

Sounds like you thoroughly checked all around and she just blindly walked behind you. Pedestrians need to play their part when walking through a car park and be aware. Surely it’s basic common sense to be alert around parked cars and give them room.

Giggorata · 10/11/2023 09:55

I mentioned this happening to me a couple of years ago, exacerbated by me driving a van.
Stupid people seem to expect me to be able to see through metal and walk behind me, often women with their children, in spite of both my hazard and reversing lights on.
Perhaps I will get a beeper too, although the neighbours won't appreciate it.

JustFrustrated · 10/11/2023 10:00

I'm so bloody glad my car has reversing beeps. Otherwise it would be silent as it's electric.

You did nothing wrong. Pedestrians should use their brains sometimes.

Itsnotchristmasyet · 10/11/2023 10:08

Neither of you probably did anything wrong.

You had no choice but to reverse and you checked it was clear before doing so.

She had to cross and probably checked to see if you were reversing and you weren’t at that point, so carried on.

The thump was probably to let you know she was there.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve nearly been reversed into in a supermarket carpark.
Or had idiots start reversing when I’m already walking past.
I’ve also been reversing and people see me and still just carry on walking.

I tell my DD to not walk too close behind the cars.
Walk in the road part and only move in if a car is coming and then keep an eye on anyone who may be reversing and then get out of their way.

Just because you can see them, doesn’t mean they can see you and this wasn’t something I fully understood until I became a driver myself.

BrieEncounter · 10/11/2023 10:25

I think OP that people have wrongly assumed you were in a car park or reversing out of your driveway over a pavement

I have read it that you were parked on the road and the woman was crossing the road and went behind your car as you were reversing (diagram)?

In which case she was in the wrong. Won't stop you feeling shaken but just to note

Shaken after reversing
ManchesterLu · 10/11/2023 11:10

She should have been more careful and seen your reversing lights. You can only do so many checks. As long as you reverse slowly and keep observing, you'll be fine.

Prettypaisleyslippers · 10/11/2023 11:23

Always look around as well as using camera, however she shouldn’t have walked behind a reversing car

MeinKraft · 10/11/2023 11:26

Every bloody time I park at a petrol station people wander around behind my car. It is like my reversing light is a magnet to pedestrians.

margotrose · 10/11/2023 11:27

I don't think either of you were wrong.

You had to reverse, looked but didn't see her. She had to cross the road and probably looked but you weren't reversing at that point.

It's just one of those things, but she was more vulnerable than you and probably got one hell of a fright just the same as you did.

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