Did I do anything wrong here? Driving

[Azzywhatty]

I drove home from rural Northumberland today. On a single track road my sat nav fell out of its holder onto the passenger side floor. There was a lorry behind me. I continued along the single track road until it widened into two lanes, then indicated left, slowed down and stopped so I could pick it back up.

The lorry behind me beeped as I stopped. Did I do anything wrong here? I indicated and slowed and waited until the road went back to two lanes and it was safe to stop. I can’t work out why he was beeping.

There was no other traffic in either direction.

YANBU - you did nothing wrong
YABU - you did something wrong (what and why??)

It wasn't an emergency and you could have caused an accident. I'm not surprised the lorry driver beeped you, I would have too (in his situation).
People disagreeing with you aren't necessarily lacking in knowledge of country roads, I live rurally and literally can't drive anywhere without using at least one, and can see that what you did was unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
Edit: I can see why people are mistaking the road for a dual carriageway, by just saying the road then became 2 lanes, although it was later clarified.

All roads are for driving on.

How many lanes mean you can park?

And then performed a three point turn? What if someone had come down the road during the manoeuvre?

Highway Code says “271
You MUST NOT stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or by red flashing light signals.
Do not stop on any part of a motorway to make or receive mobile telephone calls, except in an emergency.”

Ergo you were wrong.

Poor OP. People are acting like you suddenly slammed on your brakes and came to a screeching halt in the middle of the road. Not that on a long, easily visible country road with no other traffic in sight, you signalled left, gradually slowed down even further to make very clear you were stopping, and then pulled over to the side as far as you could.

A manoeuvre I do almost daily, by the way, since I often park half up on grassy verges on these types of roads to go on hikes with my dog. As do loads of people in my area. Posters talking about 'the flow of traffic' are cracking me up. There's about one vehicle every 20 minutes.

This has been the most infuriating thread to read. You did nothing wrong OP and I worry about the driving ability of everyone who thinks otherwise.

Yes it really has been. Like I say, it is just like the joining a motorway one. I read these threads and realise why I see so much shit driving today. The comprehension skills of some people on here is also shocking.

You've obviously posted this to be argumentative. What was rhe point you believe you were in the right and just argue with anyone who has a different opinion.

@brunettemic
That's from the motorways section of the Highway Code. How embarrassing for you.

You’re wasting your time. OP is refusing to acknowledge that the driving style on a 30mph residential street with houses and people and parked cars is completely different to the driving style on an open 60mph road, regardless of the speed at which you are travelling.

How? Genuinely, how could I have caused an accident?

The lorry could have crashed into the back of me at 20mph because he was too close to allow himself to stop despite the signalling and gradual slowing. Which would’ve been his fault. Other than that, what accident could have been caused?

As long as the road is clear of oncoming traffic and pedestrians, it’s fine.

You don’t know that for sure.

You can’t judge how any other road users are going to use the roads and at what speed.

It was daft to pull over where you did, without hazard lights, so a HGV had to pass onto the opposite lane, no matter how slow you were both travelling.

Luckily all was well, apart from a beep. But forget about the beep I’m sure the HGV driver hasn’t given you a second thought since.

But as I said earlier, no one here is going to change your mind so this thread is really pointless now.

Oh dear oh dear

Oh come on? You must know that’s about a motorway? Do you really think no car can ever stop on any carriageway? Are Mumsnetters driving eternally? Or until they find pub car parks or garages?

I would never stop like this on a dual carriageway. Most traffic is travelling fast. You should have waited for a lay-by, services etc. Sat nav falling on the floor is not am emergency.

On a normal 30mph road then yes you can indicate if there is nothing close behind you and pull in. This sounds quite different

IT WASN'T A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.

Cancel the cheque!!!

This must be a piss take surely

I would never stop like this on a dual carriageway. Most traffic is travelling fast. You should have waited for a lay-by, services etc. Sat nav falling on the floor is not am emergency.

WTF?

I was asking if there was a genuine reason as to whether I’d made a mistake. Instead you’ve advised that you’d continue driving, regardless of whether it was in the right direction, until you found a lay-by, which you would have to indicate left and slow to get into, and then add further manoeuvres and driving back in the opposite direction, all to prevent a lorry having to overtake on a long, straight, quiet road.

Is this a joke post? I just can’t tell anymore. If however it is a joke post then 10/10 for posting with a straight face tone to it. Marvellous.

Cancel the cheque!!!

😂

I haven't advised anything!

I agree, it’s completely fine and I’ve done so many times. But why is performing a three point turn okay but pulling over for ten seconds not?

Cansu
Chill out I thought she was on a dual carriageway. I think some of you need to calm down.