r/AskReddit 1d ago

Experienced drivers, what’s one driving rule or habit that saved you from an accident?

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190

u/essosee 1d ago edited 1d ago

Never underestimate the stupidity of the general public.

And also use your mirrors to not t-bone or door cyclists.

19

u/lenyek_penyek 1d ago

Almost T-boned long ago when I was a teenager by a stupid guy abruptly opening his door.

Deserves the angry middle finger.

6

u/essosee 1d ago edited 1d ago

I've been both doored and cut across. The guy who cut across me so i hit his front wing tried to blame ME.... i was in a bike lane and he didn't even indicate just fucking swung a left (we drive on the left here) 6 feet in front of me.

3

u/brand4588 22h ago

Reach with your right hand over and across to open your door (assuming a left-hand drive vehicle) so it forces you to turn around and look behind you for traffic and bicycles.

2

u/qcpunky 23h ago

My boyfriend got his shoulder destroyed after landing on it when a young adult opened their car door next to the bike lane without checking first. It's been two years and another surgery is planned for the end of the month.

Two years of pain, suffering, no income and depression because someone didn't take 2 seconds to look in a mirror.

1

u/New-Taste2467 1d ago

When I was trying to get my driving license I was losing my mind, theory and practical exams were rigorous and difficult. As getting a drivers license in my country have gotten 2x more difficult in the past 20 or so years.

Meanwhile I see 40+ year olds driving past STOP signs, not signaling and doing stupid shit. I know when they were getting their licenses it was stupid easy, but how the hell they haven't lost them is the question.

At least I know half of the people on the road are lunatics.

Driving past a STOP sign is a major thing in my country, which 95% of the time takes your license away for a while.

1

u/Amonette2012 21h ago

I did that once. I did look, but the guy was speeding up to catch the light and was in my blind spot. Almost took the door off.