Is this uncommon? (almost crashed)

[Sizzlinninja]

I'm 16, and I live in GA, and I was coming home from my grandmothers house which is about a 2 hour drive, and this is the first time I have ever came home with no assistance, and I was by myself. I was in an area that I was unfamiliar with. I was looking for a road that I was suppose to turn right on, and I finally got a glimpse of it through the corner of my eye. However, what I saw was the exit, and I realized the entrance was alot closer than the exit, and so I had to turn SHARP. I realized I was going WAY to fast to make the turn (it had also just rained), so I hit my brakes hard. This was the WORST possible time to lean that I didn't have ABS, I had always thought I did, but apparently I do not. So my brakes locked up and I skid across the entrance lane, through the striped white lines, and through the exit lane as well. I stopped 3 fit from the stop sign in the exit lane, and accordingly a 6 foot ditch behind that sign. I lucked out, big time. I wasn't hurt or anything, just terrified, so I drove around a neighborhood long enough to build some confidence back up. Now I know I am not a very experienced driver, and I confirmed that today. I learned my lesson the hard way. Now my question is, is this uncommon? By this I do not mean, "Do you regularly skid through a couple lanes of traffic, almost take out a sign and fall into a ditch?" I mean, when you were younger, did you have your mess ups and lucky-outs, as I did today? I'm not looking for any lectures on how I need to pay more attention and what not, I get it, I had a close call, and I learned my lesson. Besides, its not yalls job to lecture me on that stuff, that job belongs to my parents. So please stay on topic.

[CivicSpoon]

Yes, it's a fairly common thing to happen when you're a new driver. It takes time to learn how fast you can take a corner in normal conditions, & how fast you can take a corner on a wet road (or ice/snow or when there's gravel involved). The first winter I drove, actually the first day I drove with snow on the ground, I went too fast on a highway on-ramp, and did a 360 degree spin-out in the middle of 2 lanes. Luckily I was able to get the car moved before getting smashed by the oncoming tractor trailer. The most important thing is just to learn from mistakes.

On the other hand, there are people who never learn. I know people who have crashed multiple cars (like 1 or 2 a year for many years) and drive their car into a ditch every winter. It's sad, but it's true.

[MagicRat]

Chances are fatigue also played a role. Driving requires a lot of concentration. After a long drive, one simply becomes tired, which affects one's judgement and reaction-time. Experienced drivers are (or should be) familiar with this and know how to cope. But a tired novice driver may simply make a bad snap-decision, one they might not do if they are fresh

[P_A_B]

first snow day I drove I almost missed my exit, which was right before a bridge, so I stomped on my brakes...slipped and got about three or four feet from the edge of the cliff, which was right over highway traffic! So yes....I learned the danger of having slippery snow on the ground!

[diesel1962]

Slow down on wet pavement.Been driving semi's for 25 years,seen alot of cars and trucks in ditch's....Diesel1962.................

[gmtech1]

As long as you learned from it, and no one was hurt. It's all good. As previously mentioned, slow down on wet pavement. I know I had some "learning" experiences when I started driving.

[DeltaP]

No lectures or judgements from this corner. It wouldnt do any good anyway. Experience is the best teacher. When I started driving and for alot of years thereafter cars didnt have ABS brakes. When they came along I didnt like them and still dont. I dont like giving up any control of the car. I feel they give you a false sense of security. The insurance companies are becoming aware of this also. Seems to me they'll increase your stopping distance in a panic stop on dry pavement. And rain or shine you'll probably hit that oak tree anyway.
When I was learning how to drive as a kid in NYC we always went out driving in the rain because no NYC cop would pull you over in the rain! Then when it snowed... Oh boy! Power slide training in a '63 Bonneville... what a rush!
Some years later that progressed into racing modifieds on dirt tracks and other racing.
I taught my 3 kids how to drive and insisted on only one thng. Learn by the book. Then when you get your license you can develop your own style. So far I see good habits for the most part. I still remind them sometimes to put the seat belt on. I have become a firm believer in seat belts. They do the job!
My daughter says when she's riding with her friends and they gotta parallel park they get out and make her do it. She's the only one who can!
Please do not text while driving and keep phone calls short. People lapse into a state of altered consience when driving and talking a long time. Seems the attention shifts and we start processing things from a 1/4 mile ago!
People tend to take something that is so potentially deadly like driving and put it last on the list of importance. Good Luck to you and Happy Motoring!

[grider]

i raced cars for years wrecked a few times drove in convoys in iraq was blown up and never had any issues till last year i got in a wreck not the worst i have been in by far and it shook me up pretty bad its been a year and 2 months and i still get uneasy at that corner its not uncomon just ease yourself back out there and be safe you will be fine after some time

[sirloy]

Is it common? yes I'd say it was. Too many drivers drive too fast for conditions and too many drivers think slamming on brakes is a good thing.
Safe experienced drivers (i'm sure you are working on that) have the instincts honed so they know how much brake is safe to use, even with abs and when you shrug your shoulders and look for a place to turn around.
John

[matt_parrs]

We have all had these sorts of mistakes... close calls. just be cautious and wary from now on but dont let it deter you from putting the foot down every so often...