Feeling a bit rubbish about a stupid driving error

[hmc]

I live on an A Road. A few hundred yards before my house there is a 50mph sign but drivers don't always observe it and zoom past.

When pulling out of my drive at busy times you need to be on high alert because we are on the crest of the hill and on a slight bend so you can't see oncoming (fast moving) traffic until it is a short distance away. Coupled with that there is a crossroads opposite where traffic wants to turn right onto the A road, potentially in conflict with me when I want to pull out and join the main road.

Today, I mistimed it.

I thought there was a sufficient space to pull out (I could see an oncoming car's headlamps but thought I had sufficient time to get going).

There was no emergency stop involved but other car would have had to brake - in the rain. I suspect he was over reacting when he blared his horn like a maniac, but it was in the rain and I ought not to have pulled out. I am normally extraordinarily cautious.

Still upset that there could have been an accident involving my car (and my dcs) and the other car.

There was a collision outside my house on Tuesday night.

Can't shake it off this morose anxious feeling

Perhaps we should move - but who would buy, given the road!

Try not to dwell on it, I am sure that you will be even more careful in future. It sounds like a difficult place to live.

There is a roundabout at the top of the high st and the traffic on the high st almost always doesn't give way to the traffic turning right onto the high st from a side road (which is where I am usually coming from!)If they haven't slowed down for the roundabout, because of houses and visability it is usually too late. Sometimes the people look horrified that they have nearly caused an accident.

Be glad that nothing did happen. The "what ifs" are awful, but they didn't happen. If you can, consider this a wake-up call, to help you raise awareness of the busy road you live on.

I have every sympathy, because I came off the road the other week, with my mum and kids in the car, following a near miss with a lorry. Myself and the kids are fine, but my mum has broken a bone in her right hand I've had to stop myself thinking of the "what ifs", because they are seriously awful (it was on the A14 if you know it).

That sounds horrible MaryBS - thank goodness you are all okay.

Sounds like you have your own regular driving challenge to overcome Bluebell...

Yes, we were VERY lucky! How are you feeling now, any better?

Well as you do this manoeuvre really regularly, presumably you do know how long it takes a car to get to you from X point, so it might not be that you mistimed it, but that he was speeding in the rain! Don't beat yourself up about it.

(but, with my wife of biker helmet hat on, do THINK BIKE!)

You have my sympathy, hmc. I did a similar thing recently - pulled into a layby to take a call, then misjudged it when I pulled out. I think it was because it was dark (just after the clocks went back) and I hadn't got used to it. I did flash my hazard lights to the car behind me to try and say sorry.

No-one was hurt, you'll be even more careful in future. It was a mistake and you are only human.

MaryBS, the A14 is a horrible road - hope you're all OK.

it was one of those days today, I think.

We had a mad parent throwing things around outside school and swearing a lot, then the police turning up at school for some unknown reason, and then some eejit (man) decided to turn left on a roundabout, while I was coming from his right and turning into the same exit as he wanted - he clearly though I'd go into the outside lane but I needed the inside lane and we nearly crashed.

At least I got to look at him in the few seconds we were both stopped, and he looked like he knew it was his fault, but I then had to sit in the outside lane totally still indicating left as I needed to turn off that exit into a side road - it was such a stupid thing of him to do.

I think it's thr weather and from what you describe it wasn't your fault at all. He was justtaking it out on you - approaching a hill you should always slow down because you can't see what's beyond, iyswim - he was being a twit.

Don't worry. I know the feeling, but it will lift, you did nothing wrong.

Eek Constance!

Am feeling better now thanks guys - have got it into a bit more perspective