I accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road and am shaked up. Help?

Question

I was exiting a parking lot in an area that I'm not very familiar with and took a turn that was the wrong side of the street. This car came at me and began honking and the driver screamed at me so in shock I started driving backwards down the thin road. I couldn't turn around. Then I ended up in an intersection that luckily had a red light for the cars coming my way. I drove backwards to the parking lot from which I came.

My car had not even a scratch but I began shivering since I must of had post traumatic stress. The street wasn't marked as the wrong way I'm going to write a letter to the Chamber of Commerce to get a sign put up so this won't happen to anyone else. I'm so scared of what may have happened if I wasn't lucky. I could of died or killed someone.

In Dallas there are tons of one way streets with 4 lanes and I'm not used to this where I'm from. I started a new job here. Anyone have advice on driving techniques for this situatuation? I hope I can stop feeling so freaked.

Answer 1

I would have done a two point turn on the street rather than drive in reverse.

Answer 2

You might try a driving course to refresh your memory that what you did is very dangerous...

Answer 3

YOU are freaked?

You could have killed someone. You are a danger to all other road users. Yes, write to the Chamber of Commerce. With luck they will pass it onto the Police and, hopefully, you will lose your license, so that the highways become a safer place with you off them.

Answer 4

drive on the right side of the YELLOW LINES.  is that so difficult?  When in doubt,  pull to the right and don't drive.  PLEASE!  How did you get your license?  Oh yeah, you are from Texas, never mind.

Answer 5

Okay, so what do you want me to say...?

Hmm... Alright then, let me tell you, that you're a lucky person as you were alright. For me, here in Malaysia, almost similar to UK, we've experienced unexpected vehicle flipovers due to sharp turnings, gradient side-slopings and driving into ravines...

Answer 6

Well...I'm glad you weren't hurt..or caused an accident......and it looks like you're over it because you came here to type all of that.

That being said.....The worst thing a driver can do in a situation like that is...freak out. Just be aware in the future of your surroundings and just know now..that you have one more level of learning accomplished.

Do what you must on your letter...but...don't expect miracles to come out of it.

My advice would be the same no matter where you drive.....just always be aware of your surroundings when driving...and just know that...anything can happen..so you always want to be prepared for anything.

And don't panic!!...because that will only make an awkward situation worse.

good luck,

Answer 7

I can understand where you are coming from.  I know MANY drivers who have been caught off guard by roads that are not properly marked (Especially one way roads).  These drivers that i'm referring to have been driving for AGES, and are the most defensive drivers i've ever met in my life.  Things like this (unfortunately) happen.  The good thing is that you and everyone involved is okay.  Also - please do write a letter, it will help others that are 1. not from around the area.  2. new drivers.  3. lost drivers etc.  You aren't a bad person.  Mistakes happen.

As for Fiona - that is a very rude and unacceptable response..  When someone comes asking for HELP to do the RIGHT thing, its wrong to react in the way that you have.  I have reported you, maybe it will straighten out your attitude you seem to have. -Just remember, when you accidentally do something wrong, be it on the road or anywhere else - Karma comes back to you.