How do you move on from making stupid driving mistakes?
Discussion
I'll keep this short!
Basically I started driving in Canada about a week ago, probably done about 40 miles max and slowly getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road, when I made a stupid mistake that was totally my fault that luckily didn't turn into an accident (Turned left on a green with something oncoming!)
But I keep thinking 'what if' and questioning whether I should actually drive if I make stupid mistakes like that... But I guess we have to learn and move on... Any tips?
Basically I started driving in Canada about a week ago, probably done about 40 miles max and slowly getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road, when I made a stupid mistake that was totally my fault that luckily didn't turn into an accident (Turned left on a green with something oncoming!)
But I keep thinking 'what if' and questioning whether I should actually drive if I make stupid mistakes like that... But I guess we have to learn and move on... Any tips?
Indeed. You know what you did wrong, you understand that what you did was wrong, and you are looking to learn from it.
The whole "wrong side" thing threw me for ages - a couple of times when I drove on the right the first time I just completely "lost the plot" at complicated junctions (this was in the US) and couldn't figure out which lane was oncoming or not. That was quite scary. But that faded pretty quickly. I'm a lot more comfortable with it now with thousands of miles of "wrong side" driving under my belt. I actually find it a bit easier to manage it driving an RHD vehicle since I feel more aware of something being "wrong" because the reference points for placing the car in the lane are all different.
The whole "wrong side" thing threw me for ages - a couple of times when I drove on the right the first time I just completely "lost the plot" at complicated junctions (this was in the US) and couldn't figure out which lane was oncoming or not. That was quite scary. But that faded pretty quickly. I'm a lot more comfortable with it now with thousands of miles of "wrong side" driving under my belt. I actually find it a bit easier to manage it driving an RHD vehicle since I feel more aware of something being "wrong" because the reference points for placing the car in the lane are all different.
Having spent quite a while driving on the "wrong" side of the road, i have to say that the time you really need to watch is when you are tired and not "thinking" about driving. It's incredibly easy to just go back to what you know, especially when there are no other cars around for reference. I found that sticking a small "car" sticker on the appropriate side of the handwheel centre boss gave me something to look at, to help me remember, and to "jog" me into thinking about it more!
As i drive a large number of prototype vehicles in the uK, most of which are LHD, i find it even harder when actually abroad, as i tend to find myself moving to the "uk" position, even in a LHD car.... DOH !!
As i drive a large number of prototype vehicles in the uK, most of which are LHD, i find it even harder when actually abroad, as i tend to find myself moving to the "uk" position, even in a LHD car.... DOH !!
Have your wits about you at all times...
don't drink - even one beer [I made that mistake once in France..one beer, I was tired and my concentration slipped and I got turned off the roundabout and tried to get onto a motorway slip road the wrong way ..... ahhhgh. never EVER even have a 1/2 pint and drive abroad again ]
don't drink - even one beer [I made that mistake once in France..one beer, I was tired and my concentration slipped and I got turned off the roundabout and tried to get onto a motorway slip road the wrong way ..... ahhhgh. never EVER even have a 1/2 pint and drive abroad again ]
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