I almost hit a pedestrian

[millerjane]

Lord Jesus. I feel horrendously sick. My hands are still shaking.

I was driving on a A road when a warning signal started beeping (never seen before) telling me to shift (car is automatic). Car was making weird sounds also.

Not justifying what happened at all. I'm 100% to blame. I just wansn't looking for a few seconds and that's all it takes. I almost hit a young guy, probably my age. I was following a bus and have absolute no excuse why I almost ran a red light.

I probably scared the bloke half to death.

I'm a very very careful driver. Never listen to music when I drive and prefer people don't speak to me as I don't want any distractions.

My grandmother was killed my a drun driver and sent my mother into deep depression and ruined my childhood so I know what I came so close to tonight. I never want to get behind the wheel again.

If your sons/brothers came close to being hit in Berks please tell him I am so deeply sorry. I wanted to get out and apologise but obvs was not safe to do so.

Btw just to clarify I had not been drinking but included the detail about my grandmother being hit by a drunk driver as I have been on the other side so know first hand how devastating it is.

Ok so it's not great but you could use this as a lesson and become a better, more aware driver. It is scary how quickly a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to a fatal result but on this occasion it didn't. Learn from it and move on.

I almost rang the police

Tell me a driver who hasn't had a momentary lapse in concentration! It's awful but it happens. Try not to be so hard on yourself.

You are aware and reflecting on what happened. From what you say, you will remember this and learn from the experience.

It happens Op, I almost hit someone crossing a pedestrian crossing I am not from London & I got overwhelmed with all the signs/ring roads I lost concentration I was literally 1 foot from hitting her. I felt so sick after I was shaking for hours. Couple of day’s you’ll be fine. Learn from it, I did, now I slow down to at least 20mph in a 30 zone coming up to crossings even if nobody is on them - just in case

I'm getting used to a new car and the number of beeps and bongs and little instructive messages flashing up are just ridiculous, and potentially very dangerous I think (for exactly that reason). Don't worry OP.

OP dont worry. Weve all had those lapses. We shouldn't but it happens.
Just take a few minutes to compose yourself and set off again.
FWIW I think it's worse in newer cars where everything is touch screen so you HAVE to take your eyes off the road to do something simple like turn the fan heater on.

People saying that the OP will 'learn from this experience' make no sense. What will the OP learn? Not to notice a warning light? If a warning light suddenly flashes up, EVERYONE will look at it momentarily. Anyone suggesting that they would not for a second flick their eyes at a sudden flashing light is lying. The light is flashing for the sole purpose of getting you to look.

The fact that you care makes you a better driver than most. Just take it as a lesson learnt.

The fact you are so upset means you will be more careful next time. That sick feeling is nature's way of making sure you remember.

I once failed to look in my blind spot on a dual carriageway when I was a learner driver and nearly caused a crash. The shock of what nearly happened helps me remember to look in my blind spot every time.