AIBU?
To be worried I'll be reported??!
user1491861804 · 07/06/2017 22:12
Probably BU but I am fretting a bit over an incident which happened earlier whilst out driving...
I pulled out of a supermarket car park on to a road (not a particularly busy one for what it's worth) as a car was turning in to the supermarket. A car was behind it but plenty if space to pull out. I was startled by the driver then beeping me loudly and driving right up my backside. I looked into my mirror for a second and mounted the pavement slightly which I very quickly corrected. Thankfully no one was hurt but I was quite shaken up and haven't stopped thinking about it.
We all make mistakes driving but I absolutely did not deserve his reaction and he proceeded to gesture 'wanker' behind me!
I only passed a year ago so I'm v conscious of the 6 point license revoking rule. Supposing he reports me to the police, what happens next?!!!
I am above all so grateful that no one was injured and on the plus side it has made me even more conscious of driving safely!
GoldTippedFeather · 07/06/2017 22:18
Please don't worry, I reported a man for getting out of his car at traffic lights to scream and shout at me and kick my car door because I hadn't overtaken a cyclist on a narrow road with cars coming the opposite way for all of 2 minutes. Police said they'd chat to him... I still see the knob driving around.
PenguinOfDoom · 07/06/2017 22:27
What on earth do you think he could report you for?
Yes, you are being daft. I would actually love for it to be a major thing to mount a pavement because people do it literally every day outside my house due to the fact that they're impatient cunts who don't understand the Highway Code.
I'm sorry, OP because this is not directed at you, but I find the reticence/fear/judgemental attitude around driving on MN really odd and annoying.
LadyBusDriver · 08/06/2017 08:42
😂 sorry but I had to have a small chuckle.
I'm a bus driver, been driving for 10+ years and buses mount the pavement all the time when we get stuck or get to a tight road. There's even one place right outside a police station where we often have to mount the curb as they park like right idiots round there.
People park on the curb all the time, even though they're not supposed to and nothing ever happens.
I can with 99.9% certainty tell you that the person won't report you and the police would laugh them off even if they did.
It's really nothing to worry yourself about.
Purplemac · 08/06/2017 08:45
I really wouldn't worry, I doubt he'd report you and even if he did I doubt anything would come from it.
That being said, looking in your mirror for a second should not cause you to mount a pavement, ever. You need to be able to check your mirrors whilst still driving sensibly.
Supersoaryflappypigeon · 08/06/2017 09:02
Honestly don't worry. The police are way too busy investigating actual crime to be bothered with things like this. I'd be shocked if he reported you too. And actually his reaction was really aggressive-we've all made minor driving mistakes. Are you still thinking in terms of failing your test (majors/minors)? There aren't many drivers that would pass a driving test years after the event-bad habits creep in.
cantkeepawayforever · 08/06/2017 09:07
Bless you. I have had aggressive drivers zooming up behind me, flashing me, honking at me repeatedly .... for doing 30 mph on a residential street....
The thing to work on is your reaction. It is unpleasant when you encounter an aggressive driver, and it can be startling and intimidating. Some things you might be startled into doing - moving out onto a roundabout or junction that you are paused at is one example - are potentially very dangerous, so it's trying to keep full control of what your startle reflex might cause you to do that is the imperative for everyone's safety.
If I am concerned either that I may be sufficiently rattled to drive less carefully than normal, or if i am concerned that the other motorist's impatience will cause them to do something very dangerous (overtaking stupidly, for example) I do normally try to turn off or park at the earliest opportunity to allow them simply to get past safely and allow me to gather myself.
Pouncival · 08/06/2017 09:10
If I am concerned either that I may be sufficiently rattled to drive less carefully than normal, or if i am concerned that the other motorist's impatience will cause them to do something very dangerous (overtaking stupidly, for example) I do normally try to turn off or park at the earliest opportunity to allow them simply to get past safely and allow me to gather myself
good advice
Stop worrying OP
50ShadesOfEarlGrey · 08/06/2017 09:16
They mount the curb, to park all day, some even on single yellow lines just round the corner from me. No one does anything about it.
Oh, did I forget to mention, it's actually right outside the police station!
I think you will be fine OP, although you do seem a bit nervous. We think of driving as one of those things where we pass a basic test and that's it. Would it be a good idea to take another few lessons where you could concentrate on confidence and skills that we are not routinely tested on?
morningconstitutional2017 · 08/06/2017 09:30
You are a new-ish driver and still feel a bit insecure and worried about your ability.
You passed your test so you know what you're doing. You're human so you sometimes get it wrong. The idiot behind you sounds aggressive and is probably more dangerous on the roads due to his attitude problem.
Don't sweat on it - just bear in mind that next time you'll be more careful and it won't happen again.
It's a rare driver who hasn't done a little something wrong and lies awake at night fretting about it - probably unnecessarily.
LadySalmakia · 08/06/2017 09:32
I get like you about minor incidents like this OP, it's an anxiety thing - and when you've just passed you're hyper aware of The Correct Thing To Do so you get a bit flustery about it if you're prone to.
It's totally fine, honestly, I do a lot of positive self talk to try to learn from and then forget these little things that the police will not give a stuff about. Here I think you want to concetrate on a) not letting idiots like the aggressive driver behind you fluster you, and b) steering and mirror checking.
But we do all make mistakes, even the power cruisers in their audis - work out what caused yours and have a brew and resolve to do better next time.
(My worst driving anxiety is speed cameras - it's an act of will to keep going at the right speed and not drop by 5 mph, which has made me HYPER hateful of anyone who does that).
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