Idk if this is in the right place, but I wrecked my grandmothers car into a tree... I hadn't even left the yard. She told me to drive, so I was turning around, I got going a bit faster than I thought I needed too and, because I have a lead foot, I tried to slam on the brakes. I accidentally hit the gas pedal and panicked, making me pump it, because I was still under the impression that it was the brake pedal... I slammed into a tree... I'm fine aside from a moderate burn on my hand from the airbags, my brothers are both fine, but my grandmother... She broke both of her ankles... I feel awful about it... She will walk again. But shes gonna be down for about 3 months. Shes in surgery right now and I don't know how I could possibly make it up to her...
Oh boy, I've made that mistake before when my sister was teaching me how to drive. I got lucky and switched to the brake really quick, but I almost slammed into my dad's house. Ever since then I've been terrified to make the same mistake again. No other incidents so far. You could always throw an apologetic "get well soon" party when she gets released from the hospital. That's the first thing that comes to mind. She's doesn't hate you or anything does she? Usually grandparents are understanding when they're grandchildren make mistakes.
I'd say that the least you can do is help her out around the house as much as possible while she recovers.
This is a pretty telltale sign that you just have not practiced driving nearly enough and shouldn't have passengers like that until you are more comfortable. Sorry about what happened but I don't really know what else there is to say.
I completely agree with you. I really didn't want to drive, but she wouldn't let me NOT drive... I feel awful and I am fully willing to take my part of the blame, but when it comes down to it, it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for her... I told her I wasn't comfortable, but she kept insisting.
I understand how you feel. My mother did this to me as well and I hate being put on the spot for anything. It was her attempts to help me learn faster. So I can understand the frustration and apprehension. If you have a good relation with your grandmother I'm sure she feels bad as well for putting you in that situation in the first place.
The biggest problem most student drivers have is nerves. The solution to that problem is relax before you even start the car. If you're even the least bit jittery about driving, don't start the car. Which is ironic because they always make you turn off the car radio before starting the actual driving exam, and let me tell you, turning off the radio does not help you relax at all. Quite the opposite even...
Depends on the examiner. Some consider it rude to play the radio when you should be listening fully to their directions or whatever. Which is a typical courtesy; I always have my radio off when I have passengers and I ask what they want to listen to. Some will allow if you ask if you can play it quietly and say it helps your concentration. Depends on the person. Sent from my XT1080M using Tapatalk
I made a similar mistake during the first driving lesson my father gave me; we drove to a parking lot during winter, years ago, to practice driving at night and in frozen conditions. At one point during the lesson, I hit an icey patch and couldn't slow down efficiently. We were heading for a tree just to the right and a telephone pole just to the left. I aimed in the middle, where there was just enough room, and our car ended up on top of a large shrub, at which point the kind officer in the parking lot inquired as to what our purpose there was. In another lesson, I broke part of that car by pulling too far into a parking space. Driving is hard. It requires spacial awareness, focus and constant vigilance. Keep practicing, and see if there's anything you can help your grandmother with when she comes out of the hospital. If it makes you feel better, my cousin drove his dad's car through their garage a few years ago. Boy, did he ever get chewed out for that one.
