I almost backed into a neighbor today

[Anonymous]

I’m mortified! Do I say anything? No clue how I didn’t see her, I guess I wasn’t expecting her? I was backing out of our driveway at 7am and the car did alert, but there were car coming in the cross traffic and I assumed it was that. I did turn and look with my head but she must have been in my blind spot because next thing I know, there she is standing right by my driver’s side window, I think she had stopped when she saw me backing up, but I don’t know! Maybe I did almost backed into her? I waved in apology but had to complete backing out because of traffic. She lives down the street but I don’t know her personally. Do I say something? I feel awful.

[Anonymous]

I walk a lot and if she’s anything like me, she likely saw you backing out and stopped to allow you to back out. It’s always weird, and people generally don’t see you, but I don’t take offense. If you see her, you could apologize, but I wouldn’t.

[Anonymous]

I would not give it another thought. Same as person above: your neighbor saw you and was just waiting for you to back out.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I don't walk behind vehicles backing up. Around here though, people seem to think the right of way will save them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not give it another thought. Same as person above: your neighbor saw you and was just waiting for you to back out.

Yep- you always just play and safe and expect that the car won't see you!

Conversely, I was crawling behind my neighbor who was walking down our cul-de-sac (narrating to my child who is starting driver's ed) oh "look it's barb- I'm not going to scare her- I think she has in airpods or is on the phone. Watch I think she's going to hang left right in front of us to her mailbox" - and she did- oblivious that a car was behind her!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I've done something like that, I felt bad but glad no one got hurt. Now, I go very slow like a turtle then look and look again!
Be safe everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I don't walk behind vehicles backing up. Around here though, people seem to think the right of way will save them.

Omg - yes. I am amazed at how many people will walk in back of a moving car. It is so wrong. Sure drivers should look, but y]there are always blind spots and once a car is moving people should wait.

[Anonymous]

Almost counts in horseshoes and hand grenades…

[Anonymous]

Dear me, OP. Next time, please STOP (even if you're running late), roll down your window and apologize *in the moment*.

Now it's too late, if you don't know her. Be more careful, because the person who's behind may be a young child you can't see well.

My neighbor and I had the fright of our lives years ago when my toddler daughter, who had never run away from me before, suddenly darted in front of me and behind my neighbor's car as she was backing out of her driveway. I screamed, the neighbor stopped, we both had a little moment. And I made damn well sure my daughter never did that again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not give it another thought. Same as person above: your neighbor saw you and was just waiting for you to back out.

Yep- you always just play and safe and expect that the car won't see you!

Conversely, I was crawling behind my neighbor who was walking down our cul-de-sac (narrating to my child who is starting driver's ed) oh "look it's barb- I'm not going to scare her- I think she has in airpods or is on the phone. Watch I think she's going to hang left right in front of us to her mailbox" - and she did- oblivious that a car was behind her!

I read that like three times because I kept reading it as you literally crawling behind your neighbor as she talked to your kid and it wasn’t making sense. I’m tired.

[Anonymous]

I would have asked her when I saw her again just to clear the air in case you did back into her.

If you did not - at the very least it will show her that you are a very kind + considerate neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not give it another thought. Same as person above: your neighbor saw you and was just waiting for you to back out.

+1

[Anonymous]

I hope you are more careful in the future. I'm glad you are not my neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope you are more careful in the future. I'm glad you are not my neighbor.

I’d be glad I wasn’t your neighbor, too.

[Anonymous]

I have been on both ends of your scenario and it isn't that serious.