about six months into getting my learners
I was driving with mum from my house right through the country - through to the otherside of warrnambool. I was on the main highway and was in the right hand lane zipping along at the speed limit of 70. I was watching everything and trying so hard. I had a car in front of me about 20 meters away who was doing the same speed limit as I was - and behind me I had a B-double truck full of cattle.

I was about halfway up a hill when I was cut off by a Ute. Normally I wouldn't have minded. However - I was doing 70. He was doing 50 - and slowing down. He had a ladder on the right hand side of the car - directly in line with my face. I didn't think - all I did was slam on the brakes. I stalled the car in the middle of the highway - nearly got crunched from both ends as the truck behind me saw the dickhead and switched out from behind me just in time.

If the truck hadn't switched lanes - I would be dead. No question about it - the Ute was going too slow for me have to moved out of the way and the truck too fast to stop - would have been completely sandwiched.
I made it to where we were heading - the shopping centre - and sat in the car for about 20 minutes, sobbing, shaking, sweating and fucking terrified of driving. It took me a few weeks behind the wheel but it has made me very much aware of the mistakes I can make and the mistakes other drivers can make.

You will be okay - just give yourself some time. Take it easy and don't push yourself too hard. Talk to someone about it. okay?
(Poppet some assembly required., Wed 29 Apr 2009, 8:41, Reply)