Car reversing out of driveway. Who was wrong?

[DontOpenDeadInside]

Walking my dog yesterday and had my earphones on listening to an audio book. She (dog) was slightly ahead of me on extended lead cue loads of posters telling me iabu to use one. Next thing i know a car reversed into me, luckily i realised in the nick of time and jumped forward so it missed me (did very slightly touch my coat). I just gave the guy "the look" and continued on. But when i was telling my nan later on, she said it was my fault for having the earphones on and not being able to hear the engine. I was more grateful i wasn't a few seconds later as he would have went over my dog! I don't think i could of dragged her away as quick as she walks closer to the wall than me. So who was bu? Me or driver?

[Garofbalaxy]

I don't have a car and it never fails to amaze me just how selfish/self-important some car owners can be. I had almost the same situation a few weeks ago, only I didn't have earphones in and the driver decided to wind the window down to berate me for having the audacity to walk on the pavement. I watched her get in her car as I approached, I watched her faffing around in her seat and figured I had time to get past as she hadn't even put her seat belt on yet. She then reversed into me, there is no way she had checked properly before pulling out. Yet somehow it was my fault. If my DC had been with me she'd have hit them as I always keep them on the side furthest from the road.

I'm currently learning to drive and reading my highway code has opened my eyes to just how badly a lot of drivers behave towards pedestrians these days. I've seen the nicest friends turn into total arseholes behind the wheel of a car, nothing is ever their fault. They seem to think pedestrians are trying to get themselves killed rather than having a bit of patience and remembering it is their vehicle which causes the damage. It's putting me off driving as I don't want to become like that.

[Poshsausage]

You're all wrong

It's the dog's fault

He pulled you into the path of a moving car

He hates you

Hth
:-))

[Lostmysignal]

I'm staggered by the amount of people who think it is the pedestrians fault! In an insurance situation it would wholly be the drivers fault.
Frazzled you would be at fault too!

[2010Aussie]

Well, the driver would be at fault but I do wish pedestrians would take more care around reversing cars. I had an incident recently in a car park, trying to reverse my car out of a tight spot. i was looking in three directions at once - each side and behind - when a grown man just appeared from nowhere and ran behind the car. Fortunately I saw him and stopped in time. BTW it's not always possible to reverse onto your drive, especially if you live on a busy road and it's a tight space.

[Flowersandbirds]

Ineke you need to re read your Highway Code. It's nothing to do with it being a private road you are turning into. If Pedestrians are crossing a side road they have priority over vehicles.

[RosieRuby]

It isn't always as easy as some of you make out. We have our own driveway and there is a parking space outside the front of our house but a family moved in near us who have two big vans and a Range Rover. They park two vehicles across one space infringing on our neighbours and our driveways. On the other side they have two cars and a van, the van is in the driveway and the cars overhang our driveway. The people opposite also have two cars and a van which they park directly opposite our drive so we don't have much to manoeuvre our single car in making it impossible to reverse in. I have to reverse out onto a fairly busy road with my kids in the back of the car and restricted visibility all round. I check and check and check again and go very slowly to the point where i can't see anything because of the vans (kids can't either) so I blast the horn and hope no one has come speeding up the road. I have spoken to the council who said there is nothing we can do about the vans as they have paid their road tax. They said we could pay to have a white line outside our house but would need consent from our neighbours which we won't get as they like to park there so our only other option is not to park in our driveway. So in answer to the question technically the driver is in the wrong but if you are wearing headphones take care and be aware of what's going on around you.

[Ineke]

Yes I know side roads have priority to Pedestrians. This just happened to be a private side road, the private does not affect the status of Pedestrian's Priority, did not put it clearly, sorry.

[woodhill]

Most of you sound very considerate. Where my dm lives the road is narrow as is being used as a cut through due to a closure of a main route.

Problem is parked cars and the drivers on the parked car side won't give way often and force the clear side on the pavement. One poor disabled lady was told to keep back in the bushes to let them pass on the pavement

[user1489675144]

Driver should have looked for pedestrians. However, how silly not to take responsibility for your own safety and that of your dog. The dog should be at heel on a street/pavement not running off in front.

[AnnieAnoniMouse]

I understand why you asked the question. The whole 'victim blaming' thing is interesting. I, personally, don't see telling 'the victim' that they need to be mindful of their surroundings & circumstances in order to reduce the chances of being hurt, is victim 'blaming'. We seem to be in a phase of 'no responsibility for oneself' I find it quite disturbing.

[Craigie]

Yep, you were wrong.

[manicmij]

If you were heating impaired you wouldn't hear anyway but, with low wall you could possibly see. However, driver should take more care if he can clearly see. If not he should reverse very slowly until he has clear view.

[Lovelymess]

You're both at fault

[AlexRose5]

Got to admit I'm one of the ones who reverse out of my driveway ... but I do so EXTREMELY carefully . A lot of joggers go past and they have priority on the footpath thatbim reversing across . I definately think the driver is at faul here, however please for the sake of injury to yourself or your dog, take it as a warning shot that people aren't always as careful as they should be... be aware of your surroundings x

[gillybeanz]

Driver shouldn't be backing out unless they can see their way is free.
He was crossing your path, you were a pedestrian on a pavement where you should be.
What dick reverses out of a drive anyway.

[Bringmesunshite]

Both of you. You must have got a terrible shock.

Wear earphones at your peril. Just because it's the pavement doesn't mean you have some sort of protective shield on.

Not clear how fast the driver was coming out but in these situations, you have to have awareness too.

[manicmij]

Garofbaxaly: I am a driver of many years and I have to agree with you. There are so many drivers now who treat any other road users and pedestrians as if they are the greatest problem on earth. Absolutely no patience, everyone is to get out of their way assuming they are the only ones with right to be there. People forget cars are very heavy lumps of metal travelling faster than a pedestrian for one and usually faster than is allowed or necessary. Being courteous on the road doesn't cost anything and it won't stop you getting to where you want to go. Don't be intimidated, keep up your lessons and go for your test.

[ivykaty44]

The driver, the car is crossing the pavement, pedestrians have right of way and the driver should be looking out for people - dead people, blind people walk along pavements.

Rule 206 of the highway code covers this

[ivykaty44]

Dead people

I meant deaf

[RosieRuby]

Ivykaty your status made me laugh...I dread to imagine who you see walking along the pavement!

[Advicewouldbelovelyta]

Waiting for the update :)

[Heebiejeebies77]

I very recently took my driving theory test and there is a question exactly on this - it is the driver who has to make sure their way is clear by checking through all windows side and rear, as well as mirrors. If they are in any doubt, the driver must get out of the car to check. So OP, you were totally in the right because on a pavement pedestrians have right of way and the onus is always on the driver to take the necessary precautions when reversing.

[ivykaty44]

It's that TV programme, walking the dead

[ivykaty44]

If we keep victim blaming and putting the onus on the victim to take care, rather than the perpetrator of the incident to take responsibility, then the highways will become more dangerous