Driving query

[stressedoutmama999]

Sorry, no idea what to post this under!

Can I get your views. I am a very anxious driver as it is and overthink EVERYTHING.
On the way to picking my LO up from nursery, I have to then left onto a semi- country road. Cars can position themselves side by side- to turn left and right. When there is a car to my right, I don't have the best view so usually just wait until they have gone. Today, the car pulled up next to me and was gesturing me that it was fine to go, but I wasn't happy to go blindly. I stayed where I was and looked through his window to make sure there were no oncoming cars. He ended up pulling out and going before me so I had a good view, but if there is a lot of traffic etc is it reasonable to look through the window of the car next to you to make sure no oncoming traffic and pull out slowly? Obviously with a very clear view, or just wait and let whoever wants to honk at you carry on.

Thanks!

Generally I would wait until the car to my right hand moved off, but it would depend on many factors.
Speed of traffic, angle of the junction, the view through the other car's window will always make a difference.
My main concern is always whether you can see enough to be able to see cycles, motorbikes, very low vehicles etc.

I prefer to wait until I get a clear view.

Don't go until you are happy to. I never pull out/turn etc unless I am sure that it is clear. If you did have an accident you'd feel terrible for you said that another driver said it was alright to go and you didn't check!

Thank you for your responses.

I really am that annoying driver who follows the road speed, will be completely sure when I turn, check the both sides for what is oncoming when turning left, and will slowly follow behind a bicycle until I am 110% sure if it safe to overtake for everyone. I always think I would rather get to my destination a minute later and know I was safe, and when I see other cars up my ass or honking I just breathe and think of my family because I am not going to be in a serious accident for following rod safety rules.

There was a very clear view through the window. I could see the road and bushes/trees so would have definitely have seen a bike and a low lying vehicle. It still would have taken me a lot to go- ie the car to my right just not going but I was wondering if it is ok to use look through the window of the car and go if absolutely sure. But yes, better to wait. Getting there 30 seconds later makes no difference. Thanks again!

Yeah I wouldn't pull out blindly just because the driver to the right said I should, I would do the same as you did

Logically, if it's safe for him to turn right, it will be safe for you to turn left but, yes, look though his window to check for yourself before pulling out.

Never rely on another driver telling you when to go.

However, please address your nervousness by having a course of lessons with the sole purpose of boosting your confidence and making you a confident driver.

You've proven you are capable of driving by passing your test.

I'll be honest, I wouldn't get in a car with a nervous driver.

I was stuck behind a car like you for ages and I could see it was clear for a long way. Ended up pomping and gesturing. Thing is they could've edged forward slightly and safely to see that.

You need a clear view. You might be able to see through the cars window but the window/door frame may be obstructing something that you can't see, particularly motorbikes.

You call yourself anxious but from your description, you sound like a cautious, sensible driver. Everything you described that you do is what a sensible driver would do. Keeping to the speed limit (even if the idiot behind you thinks it doesn't apply to them), double checking it is safe to pull out and ensuring you are in a situation where you can safely give a cyclist a wide berth is good practice. Anyone who tells you otherwise needs to give their head a wobble.

Never, ever, pull out on another driver's say so. You don't know whether that driver has good judgement and you are the one who will be liable in the case of an accident.

I have a tricky junction at the end of my road with a main road. Sometimes other drivers indicate I can pull out. However, I know the road, they could easily have missed someone about to pull out of one of the other side roads and it's not uncommon for people to jump the lights nearby.

It's good to be cautious. Saves lives.

It's difficult to tell without seeing the view, but if it was clear through the window of the car next to you AND you were able to inch out safely to get a better view (while not obstructing traffic going by on the main road), in order to confirm it was indeed clear, then that is probably the way I'd play it.

Otherwise it would be a case of nobody turns left ever if someone beside you is turning right. And that's not a rule. We are allowed to do so but ONLY if we can see it's clear though.

Have you noticed what most other drivers do there?