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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wrong side of the road

24 replies

Bridgetjones92 · 16/01/2022 01:40

Posting for traffic as I’m freaking out…before I start I realise I made a very big error! So please no further stress to add to my grief!

I just turned completely the wrong way at junction and drove on to the opposite side of the wrong in the wrong direction.

No excuse but I’ve just returned from Greece after a year mid December so I am used to driving on that side and my dads in hospital I had just been to a family members to update them and completely must of had a mad moment. Luckily no cars coming the opposite way. I realised immediately as I turned my error and therefore reversed and made a U turn I’d say within about 2 seconds of Turning. Panicking as there was another car parked opposite (don’t know if they had pulled over or were there before) and I’m worried if they have dash cam footage I’ll be in big trouble. Also wouldn’t blame them for thinking that I was drink driving as it was 1am in the morning and I was on the bloody completely wrong side of the road (if I saw someone do what I just did I’d assume they’d been drinking too) I’m freaking out :( any help appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bridgetjones92 · 16/01/2022 01:42

To add I almost feel like calling 101 and reporting myself so that they can breathalyse me and at least know it was a genuine error.

OP posts:
MrBIobby · 16/01/2022 01:48

You need one of these.

www.halfords.com/motoring/travel-accessories/travel-equipment/driveright-lane-safety-device-138860.html

I had the same problem adjusting when coming back to the UK. You just turn the sticker depending on on what side of the road you should be driving on. It's a helpful reminder. I don't know what you can so about the rest of it. Hope for the best I guess. It's done now. No one was hurt.

LuckyWithMyLot · 16/01/2022 01:51

I have similar issues issues I return from Spain.
Remember the mantra "White Alright". If you're by the white line in the middle of the road, you're on the right side.
Try not to beat yourself up. If there were cars, you'd likely have realised before making the manoeuvre. As there weren't any cars, all was okay.

Original poster
Bridgetjones92 · 16/01/2022 01:51

@mrblobby thank you Flowers I’m just very frustrated at myself and anxious now.

OP posts:
DropYourSword · 16/01/2022 01:54

I remember doing similar after I returned to England from daily driving in America.

Honestly, there’s nothing you need to do. You made a mistake and rectified it immediately. No one hurt. No damage done.

Wingedharpy · 16/01/2022 01:57

You poor thing.
We all do crazy things when mentally distracted by worry and concern over things.
Nobody was injured.
No-one else involved.
The Gods were smiling on you, you realised your mistake and rectified the situation immediately.
Don't beat yourself up about it, you've enough to contend with.
Hope your Dad gets better soon.

Original poster
Bridgetjones92 · 16/01/2022 02:04

Thank you all. Just feel so stupid and mad at myself.

OP posts:
TenSteps · 16/01/2022 02:08

@Bridgetjones92

To add I almost feel like calling 101 and reporting myself so that they can breathalyse me and at least know it was a genuine error.
Nobody was hurt. Why would you self-incriminate yourself like that?
Nomorecoco · 16/01/2022 02:11

I've done this before, misread some signs and ended up going wrong side of a motorway, also ran several red lights by accident too. Never been caught. Don't worry and just concentrate on your dad..

Original poster
Bridgetjones92 · 16/01/2022 02:20

@TenSteps I just feel so guilty and if I saw somebody make such a stupid mistake at that time of night on a Saturday I’d probably assume they had been drinking and I’m worried that if another road user has dash cam footage and report me it will be wrongly assumed that I had been drinking or something. I know I’m over thinking.

OP posts:
UnsuitableHat · 16/01/2022 02:22

We all make mistakes driving OP. Move on and try not to dwell on it.

TenSteps · 16/01/2022 02:35

[quote Bridgetjones92]@TenSteps I just feel so guilty and if I saw somebody make such a stupid mistake at that time of night on a Saturday I’d probably assume they had been drinking and I’m worried that if another road user has dash cam footage and report me it will be wrongly assumed that I had been drinking or something. I know I’m over thinking.[/quote]
They would only have your say on what time this happened, they could allege that you've waited for your BAC to deplete. Focus on your family and be kind to yourself.

KloppsTeeth · 16/01/2022 02:39

No harm done. I did this once, before sat navs. Turned down a one way street, about 1am. Got half way down, realised, turned around. Nothing happened.

Do not report yourself to the police, there really is no need. Be kind to yourself Flowers

Valeriekat · 16/01/2022 10:27

I think we've all done this. If there were other cars on the road it would have been obvious.

DoNotGetADog · 16/01/2022 10:34

@LuckyWithMyLot

I have similar issues issues I return from Spain. Remember the mantra "White Alright". If you're by the white line in the middle of the road, you're on the right side. Try not to beat yourself up. If there were cars, you'd likely have realised before making the manoeuvre. As there weren't any cars, all was okay.
That would only work if you were driving a local car though!

If you’ve driven your own car from the UK to France, you’ll run into problems (and lots of other cars) by using your rule…

Stars1979 · 16/01/2022 10:54

Dont worry! There was no accident. Even in the unlikely event the car did have a dash cam, it doesnt mean the driver would report it and even if they did, unless the police came to see you straight away and did a breath test at police station they could pursue you for drink driving so dont give it a moment more thought. Nothing bad happened but I am sure it shook you up enough that you wont be making the same mistake. Take it easy and dont be so hard on yourself.

Stars1979 · 16/01/2022 10:56

Couldn't pursue you i meant...not could.

Bonbon21 · 16/01/2022 11:01

It happened.
Nothing you can do now.
Breathe.
You will be concentrating from now on I assure you!
Just deal with everything else you have going on . Take care.

rainbowplease · 16/01/2022 11:04

DH did this once at a really confusing junction, nothing came of it.

BrioNotBiro · 16/01/2022 11:13

On the bright side, the shock you had will stop you making the same mistake at a far busier time. Your guardian angel was sitting in the passenger seat; just be grateful nothing bad happened.
.

Original poster
Bridgetjones92 · 16/01/2022 14:52

Thank you so much everyone! Xx

OP posts:
LuckyWithMyLot · 16/01/2022 17:34

@donotgetadog Very good point! We have a local car abroad so this has never been an issue. I can imagine it must be tricky driving a non local car.

Dizzyhedgehog · 16/01/2022 18:00

I wouldn't worry too much about it. At least it wasn't busy.
I once turned into the wrong lane at a junction after waiting at a traffic light. I was able to swing the car round and move it into the right one. It was a mistake. Luckily, I was driving my EU car, with its foreign number plates. It made it very clear to the other road users that it was just a mistake. Nobody got hurt.
My father-in-law made the same mistake when he came to stay with us. He was driving my British car at that point, so the locals were also aware to just be nice. It happens...

Shade17 · 16/01/2022 20:36

Relax, nothing is going to happen. If you’d caused an accident then maybe you’d have something to worry about. We all make errors when driving and most of the time get away with them!

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