Worst Driving Mistake - I Turned Right into The Wrong Side of The Road at a Traffic Light

ripesashimi on 09/09/2022 - 14:35
Last edited 09/09/2022 - 14:36

Around midnight, I turned right at a green arrow and did not see the guiding white line.

Both sides have 4-5 lanes and are not physically attached to each other. They are 10 metres apart and look like 2 separate roads. Ms paint: https://i.imgur.com/IvOFJpi.png

I followed Waze instruction and turn right. I didnt realise my mistake untill theres a car going in the opposite direction honking at me.

About me: been driving for 15+ years and not a single demerit. This is in SA and I just arrive in SA couple weeks ago. I understand it is my fault and this is definitely dangerous driving, I may need to appear in court. Im not sure if there will be any fine but I'd like to learn what I could have done to prevent this.

Thoughts?

Poll Options

  • 8
    the intersection looks stupid, no way to prevent
  • 138
    you definitely coulda prevent this by [please say in the comments]
Automotive

Comments

  • askbargain on 09/09/2022 - 14:36
    +17

    where's the bargain?

    • PopCounty on 09/09/2022 - 19:38
      +5

      In ‘Deals’ section.

  • spackbace on 09/09/2022 - 14:38
    +22

    I understand it is my fault and this is definitely dangerous driving, I may need to appear in court.

    If there was no accident, what are you worried about? No one is going to go out of their way to report a silly incident like that at midnight

    In Perth, going through this intersection in the city does my head in every time lol

    • Tomhaigh1 on 09/09/2022 - 14:50

      WTH is that?

    • MattyAu on 09/09/2022 - 14:58
      +3

      Lol, the Adelaide Britannia roundabout is an experience:
      https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/adelaide-roundabou…
      https://goo.gl/maps/3iYNXKaseNMq8ve76

      • AlextheMeertkat on 10/09/2022 - 20:12
        +1

        don't know why I even clicked the link but the presenter at 1:15 is cute enough.

        • Monad on 10/09/2022 - 20:20

          Girl next roundabout…hitting on her is better than hitting her (accidently with a car on Britannia, she's in a car too).

        • bamzero on 12/09/2022 - 13:15
          +1

          I believe she may be trying to fly by flapping her eyelids…

    • Almost Banned on 09/09/2022 - 17:42
      +2

      Hey - I drive through this intersection every day.
      The worst bit about it is that just about the only zebra crossing in the entire city is at the top of the street.
      Otherwise, its not that hard - just follow the dotted line and straight to the freeway, or turn a bit harder and follow the lines to go down to MBR.
      That said, I have seen people go on the wrong side of the street here - that's why they have the wrong way go back sign.

      • spackbace on 09/09/2022 - 17:44

        Yeah I've gone to go the wrong way at night but didn't go past the traffic light, realised just before (no oncoming traffic so head couldn't process)

        Considering that straight ahead goes straight to the freeway you'd think there'd be some better markings

        • Almost Banned on 09/09/2022 - 17:52
          +1

          Yeah - its not the clearest, but its not the worst.
          Going through here everyday and up onto the freeway sucks balls though - people follow this lane up to the freeway, then come to a stop trying to merge right just where the Hay St offramp comes off.
          They are so terrified they will be forced off to Market St they literally come to a complete bloody standstill right on the freeway.
          People think they need to slow down to merge - when they should bloody speed up.

    • save my dollarydoos on 10/09/2022 - 08:40
      +5

      I knew exactly which intersection you were referring to before I clicked the link and well yep. That one

      I had the fright of my life one quiet afternoon going up that ramp only to just miss having a head to head collision with a car coming in the opposite direction.

      For the non Perthians - It's supposed to be a one way only freeway onramp.

      Just how he came to be coming from that direction still puzzles me to this day

  • Fredfloresjr on 09/09/2022 - 14:41
    +23

    Don't worry mate, this is very normal at Hurstville, NSW.

    • Ghost47 on 09/09/2022 - 18:43
      +4

      I've only driven to Hurstville a couple of times, I remember the first time I was there, there was an absolutely bonkers intersection.

      After taking a look on Google Maps it might have been this one. Makes no bloody sense whatsoever. I just remember driving and feeling like I was on the wrong side of the road, which is often the case in Sydney because there are roads that are one-way roads that are 4 lanes wide in some places. I think near the city and possibly around Artamon.

      • tomleonhart on 09/09/2022 - 18:48
        +4

        what the f*** kind of intersection is that.

        • Ghost47 on 09/09/2022 - 18:49
          +2

          IKR?! Whoever designed roads in Sydney was high on crack I swear to god.

          That car definitely looks like it's in the correct lane because on Google Maps there's another car in front of it also going the same direction.

          On closer inspection there's a right-hand turn when you come from the road on the left of the image. They really need to paint better lines at that intersection.

    • unhuman on 10/09/2022 - 20:03

      Ahh. Good ol Hurstville.

  • bdl on 09/09/2022 - 14:42
    -4

    I followed Waze instruction and turn right.

    Waze instructions didn't tell you to drive like a muppet.

    Glad you got caught.

    • askbargain on 09/09/2022 - 14:47

      my man lives in melbourne and has been driving for 15 years and is explaining it like it's a new concept.

  • kerfuffle on 09/09/2022 - 14:48
    +15

    I'd like to learn what I could have done to prevent this

    Pay more attention to the markings on the road.

    • SF3 on 09/09/2022 - 17:07
      +3

      and specsavers.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 09/09/2022 - 14:55
    -1

    Where you pulled over by the cops or what

    • ripesashimi on 09/09/2022 - 16:07
      +3

      No. I dont think anything will happen to me but I'd like to know how I coulda prevent this from happening at all. I drive at this intersection again but the line is still almost invisible in a rainy night.

      • Tee Rex Arms on 09/09/2022 - 16:11

        Why did you say you may need to appear in court then? You may need to surrender your licence and show cause to your department of transport if you continue to put other road users lives at risk.

      • Wilson Wallace on 09/09/2022 - 23:19
        +3

        I copped a fine for doing a uturn on a solid white line. I told the police officer that it’s broken all across the road (paint missing everywhere) - 50 metres down the road is solid for about 20 metres, then it goes missing again for another 100.

        After I got the fine, I contested it and took photos all along the road, where there were missing lines, broken lines and sold lines, explaining to the cops that if I need to adhere to road rules, at least have the bloody paint visible where I was doing a uturn. Anyway I also sent it to the council, about 6 months later, there was new paint across a 2km road where I was driving.

        Up to you if you want to go down that path of advising the council, you’ll probably do others a favour as well

        • chriskq on 10/09/2022 - 00:11
          +7

          so did the fine stick?

      • Monad on 10/09/2022 - 20:09
        +1

        Simply pay more attention, unless you have an eyesight issue (glasses in that case) take more due diligence when it's raining. I said in another comment that I have done this before, many years ago. I haven't done it again as I remember the potential consequences of doing so (and embarrassment as there were no serious consequences). You are just like everyone else, a fallible person, but you can learn from your mistakes, just pay more attention next time. All the best to you.

  • djones145 on 09/09/2022 - 14:55
    +6

    %$^# happens. u lucky u didnt cause an accident

  • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2022 - 14:59
    +8

    i've almost done this before, sometimes the road is just not marked clearly enough, the paint has faded, it's raining or dark, oncoming headlights too bright, et cetera. just take it as a learning experience and be more careful in the future.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/09/2022 - 15:11
    +2

    Did the coppers drug test you? Or ask you who the current PM is?

  • redfox1200 on 09/09/2022 - 15:22

    Gepps Cross?

    • Benoffie on 09/09/2022 - 15:54
      +1

      Yeah was just wondering that. Or Anzac Highway maybe. That would make sense given the configuration. Also, the rubbish lighting at night.

      OP - If you've been given notice to appear for Dangerous Driving, you need a good lawyer. You're looking at 2 years gaol and 1 year disqualification.

      https://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/offences-and-penaltie…

      You need someone who can try and potentially have it chucked on technicality for being charged with the wrong offence.

    • Ughhh on 09/09/2022 - 15:55

      First intersection I thought of too. Op definitely wouldn't be the first.

      • redfox1200 on 09/09/2022 - 15:59

        only ask because i did this once at this spot when i was young in the middle of the night. but i imediately knew what happened and did a u-turn.

    • ripesashimi on 09/09/2022 - 16:03
      +2

      Grange rd. To turn right, I am supposed to drive forward by quite a bit.

      • elgrande on 09/09/2022 - 17:31
        +6

        Thanks for confirming:

        • offence type
        • location of offence
        • date of offence
        • admissions
        • ms paint diagram

        To assist me in finalising the court attendance notice, can you pls confirm your name or vehicle rego?

        Officer OzBargain

      • USER DC on 09/09/2022 - 17:53

        I was close, I thought port road, adam st intersection.

      • Alpine58 on 09/09/2022 - 21:31
        +3

        You're not the first person to do it here and won't be the last.

        Happens at South/Sturt quite often too.

    • ripesashimi on 09/09/2022 - 16:04
      +3

      https://imgur.com/a/OvZrza6

      • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2022 - 16:30
        +5

        that's even worse than the MS paint made it out to be.. i can see someone easily making that mistake at night.

      • FLICKIT on 09/09/2022 - 17:26
        +2

        Ahhhh:
        https://goo.gl/maps/iax9XwyA6tSVU5389

        Crap happens…

      • Benoffie on 09/09/2022 - 17:58
        +1

        Oh hell on the new expessway?

        Not seeing the lines aint going to cut it.

        Get a lawyer.

      • herecomestheoost on 09/09/2022 - 18:22
        +3

        Looks pretty (profanity) man, don't be too hard on yourself. You'll know next time for sure. I'd suggest a lot of these people having a shot at you would be confused too.

      • CalmLemons on 09/09/2022 - 21:42

        Few of those intersections in the south east of vic, especially the new intersections. They need to have wrong way go back signs but evidently they either have no room or not enough people are doing what you are doing yet without colliding with the other cars.

        Wouldn't worry about it, but waze is not an excuse, cannot blindly follow it.

      • samyall on 10/09/2022 - 10:31
        +1

        I'm surprised there were no 'WRONG WAY GO BACK" signs for the exit. I could easily see more than just OP screwing that up if the road is empty and it is dark and rainy.

    • Usedtissue on 11/09/2022 - 19:03

      Looks like Gepps Cross, coming down the hill on Grand Junction Road turning right on to Port Wakefield road. A 5 road intersection with every direction having 2 or 3 lanes each. It is the highest red light fundraiser in the state.

  • netjock on 09/09/2022 - 15:42
    +1

    did not see the guiding white line.

    Don't worry you're not the only person who thinks the road is some kind of race track where you determine your own lines and the white lines are just there for aesthetics.

    If I were you I'd look for dash cam footage of your skills on the internet to make sure there is nothing to identify you at the wheel.

  • pegaxs on 09/09/2022 - 16:00
    +1

    you definitely coulda prevent this by [concentrating on what you were doing]

    Soon as I saw the drawing, all I thought of was Park Ave. Kotara and the amount of people I have seen drive up the wrong side of that traffic island…

  • jolee3 on 09/09/2022 - 16:19
    +5

    I don't know what the process is like in SA, but in NSW you can lodge a complaint to Service NSW about the markings if they are 'almost invisible' as you say.

    I lodged a complaint a few years ago about an intersection where 2 lanes turn right into 3 lanes and cars got it wrong on the daily (the right lane should turn into the right lane, but half of the cars turn into the middle lane so that they can cut to the left lane to turn left at the next street). There were lane markings many years earlier but I remember some sort of truck spill made a mess and they must have repaved it over the markings. Anyway I ticked the box to ask that they communicate to me with a response, and they never did…BUT they did go and draw lane markings. It was months later but it was actioned.

    • Benoffie on 09/09/2022 - 18:00
      +1

      He cant. This is a brand new, multi million/billion dollar road project. Ive gone round that corner many times and while it feels unnaturally long in the turn (essentially over the bridge) its clearly marked.

      • jolee3 on 09/09/2022 - 20:47

        Oh, I'm only going by their comment that it's "almost invisible". If it's clearly marked then the road is fine, it's just user error! I live in Sydney where I'm used to the roads being a mess. And drivers being a mess.

        • Benoffie on 09/09/2022 - 22:03
          -2

          Yeah i think the invisible lines might be user error 😐😏

  • EightImmortals on 09/09/2022 - 16:20
    +6

    Had an old lady do that in front of me a few months back. I had to get out of the car, signal to stop the traffic coming up behind me and encourage her to do a u-turn and go the right way. Saved the world again that day. Should be king of Australia by now…..

  • apple2016 on 09/09/2022 - 16:45
    +3

    I followed Waze instruction and turn right.

    This is the issue. Never follow any GPS/guidance system blindly.

  • cashless on 09/09/2022 - 16:59
    +4

    Celebrate!
    You'll be on the October Dashcam monthly compilation

  • Windows7forever on 09/09/2022 - 18:19
    +2

    Oh no! Go and hand yourself in to your nearest police station, you criminal!

  • tomleonhart on 09/09/2022 - 18:24
    +1

    Around midnight so you were probably just fatigue which led to a lapse in judgement. New area + tiredness could cause this easily.

    Just don't do it again next time. Lucky nothing happened.

  • Euphemistic on 09/09/2022 - 18:47
    +1
    1. You didn’t get pulled over by the cops, you won’t need to go to court.
    2. If there was a camera and you get a fine in the mail, just pay it you won’t get out of it.
    3. You screwed up but caused no real harm. We all screw up from time to time. Learn from your mistake try not to do it again.

    A couple of screw ups I can think of: pulled out of an intersection turning right one night and hit the median island with a loud crunch. No harm but a work colleague took out his sump doing similar. Another time I stopped at a red light late one night and somehow completely forgot there was traffic lights, checked then drove through the red as if it were just a stop sign.

  • HangryCakeStore on 09/09/2022 - 18:59
    +2

    Worst? Means accidents and people get injured or die.. just like recent one on news caused by another bogan

  • squaredonut on 09/09/2022 - 20:21

    I looked at the google maps screenshot you posted, are those white lines reflective enough in the dark with headlights? they look a bit faded, It definitely could use a new coat or some reflector things they usually have on the roads.

  • Broke-Ken on 09/09/2022 - 21:07

    you definitely coulda prevent this by [please say in the comments]

    As others have already mentioned, being alert and paying more attention to the environment.

    Luckily nothing bad happened this time, it's good that you have been able to own your own fault and have come to seek for tips on how to improve.

    Here are some things which should have rang alarm bells in your head.
    * The guiding white line, as you have mentioned you missed
    * Were you able to see the screen while waze was on? it usually illustrates the type of turn it wants you to take weather it's a tight or wide turn. Don't blindly follow the directs of the GPS.
    * There is a "No Entry" sign on the corner.
    * How far away the traffic lights are on the other side of the intersection, this would give you an indication on how big the intersection is and therefore how tight of a right turn you need to take.
    * Usually there is a thick white stop line at the start of the intersection to indicate where to stop on a red light. Those lines don't appear on the other side. If you're about to exit an intersection and go over those lines, be alert as something is not right.
    * Once you have turned into the road, the arrow painted on the ground pointing backwards in the wrong direct should have been another indicator that something is not right.

    • CalmLemons on 09/09/2022 - 21:44
      +3

      I believe he missed the white guide line as it was raining. That's why some marked lanes have the upright fluro highlights for better visibility in the rain.

      The no Entry sign is extremely undersized for an intersection of that size. It whould be at least 1.5x1m.

      I agree OP should not follow waze blindly.

  • Cheap Gamer on 09/09/2022 - 21:51

    You weren't pulled over so you're lucky this time. Dobbing drivers reporting mistakes are wasting their time.
    You might end up on Dash Cam Owners Australia. There are countless examples of driving in the wrong lane, happens all the time.

  • eggboi on 09/09/2022 - 23:59

    Lol, check out this ridiculous roundabout I had to navigate when driving in Bucharest a few years ago. I still don't understand it, even studying the top-down view on Google Maps… https://goo.gl/maps/PAbRxtp9TJQdM2Cj6

  • Butt Scratcher on 10/09/2022 - 02:39

    Quite simply, even if you do have GPS on, you still need to pay attention to the roads/signs

  • seabombs on 10/09/2022 - 06:29
    +2

    I did this once, I hadn't been driving for long and just moved to the big smoke (Brisbane).

    https://imgur.com/a/R2L49Im

    Driving south on Ipswich Rd and turned left into Juliette Street (which is one way). I thought the left most lane was a turning lane. Thankfully there were no cars in the right lane on J St. After the turn I realised my mistake, pulled into that little carpark and sat there feeling like a numpty for 20 mins.

    • eggboi on 11/09/2022 - 00:21

      Fair mistake. Also I recommend Earth n Sea pizza across the road (shown in your screenshot).

  • Myone888 on 10/09/2022 - 07:54
    +1

    I find that most junctions have too many lights and results in too many Visual sensory overload. And hence the mistakes.
    Also in Vic, the green light and right turn green light is mm away. It should be well spread out to tell the difference. Needs improvement.

  • saltypete on 10/09/2022 - 08:51

    I was wondering which intersection in Adelaide you did it at. There are 3 or 4 that it must be pretty common for this to happen….
    Has your previous driving been roads where you drive on the right?
    This plays my personal fears - I’m sure when I get to travel through Europe I’ll be doing this the odd time…🤷‍♂️

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2022 - 09:35
    +1

    Two intersections in SA that are pretty awful:
    Mallala
    Main North Rd & Grand Junction Rd Turning, "kinda right" here can be really difficult. Paint has been pretty faded the past couple years and can't be seen well in the rain, if they used hi-viz in the paint, it was "the minimum amount of hiviz pigment per m2 allowed by law", there is a sign saying no right turns are allowed which can be distressing for people in the right turn lane if it is their first time and they're at the head of the line on a rainy day.

  • Insision on 10/09/2022 - 09:51
    +1

    Happen to me same sometimes but i prefer go slow special in night times whr thr r no lights & if raining makes worse u cud have prevented it

  • Kris P on 10/09/2022 - 11:04
    +2

    I had the same experience within weeks of migrating here.

    https://goo.gl/maps/abPPnsVWvNQneGUV9

    It was late at night, no traffic, I realised my mistake and did a quick uey.

  • a-friend on 10/09/2022 - 11:26
    +2

    I have seen at least 8-10 drivers doing this on freeway exits. How can they ignore "wrong way go back" signs blows my mind

    • Davo1111 on 10/09/2022 - 14:26
      +2

      Just had this issue overseas (I wasn't driving). No wrong way, but the backs of the signs was a strong clue and immediately stopped.

  • hasher22 on 10/09/2022 - 11:33
    +1

    I did the same at 2am going back from the city and dropping a friend home. Quite a huge intersection and I managed to get into the oncoming lane and quickly realised why is there an island on my left side and roads lol.

    I think it happens to the best of us at night.

    It's night, no cars around, if there no street lights to clearly view the huge intersection then it can happen.

    I've seen people go into the oncoming lane aswell.

    Just as long no accidents happen and we are well aware next time, crap happens.

  • Davo1111 on 10/09/2022 - 14:24
    +3

    Learn and move on

    People make mistakes, it's what you do after making one which is important

    Btw, your ozbargain licence should be renewed for the mspaint diagram

  • belongsinforums on 10/09/2022 - 14:53
    +2

    everyone makes mistakes. lucky no accidents caused. drive safe

  • skillet on 10/09/2022 - 14:53
    -1

    How much did you drink?

  • trapper on 10/09/2022 - 16:32

    This would be considered 'careless driving' not 'dangerous driving' and considering that you didn't cause an actual accident it is very unlikely you will face any penalty.

    To prevent this happening again try and pay more attention when you are driving… you missed a lot of 'signs' that any person paying full attention would immediately notice. ie line markings on the road showing where cars coming in the other direction would normally stop, lane turn directional arrows in the wrong direction, traffic lights and other signs facing the wrong way etc

  • pogichinoy on 10/09/2022 - 16:48
    -1

    Your fault. Please be more aware of where your vehicle ends up at intersections or any turn.

    Just gotta be more aware but whilst accidents happen, please be more aware.

  • Goliegosh on 10/09/2022 - 17:44

    Was this during the recent heavy rain? I already note it is at midnight.

  • Monad on 10/09/2022 - 20:01

    I have done this before, many years ago. I haven't done it again as I remember the potential consequences of doing so (and embarrassment as there were no serious consequences). You're welcome.

  • The Value on 10/09/2022 - 20:46
    +2

    I may need to appear in court. Im not sure if there will be any fine

    You need to take a chill pill, bro.
    If there was no police, it didn't happen.

  • lainey13 on 11/09/2022 - 00:33

    I did this a long time ago, back on my Ls. It was also in the middle of the night, heading north on Station St, Box Hill, turned right into Whitehorse rd too early.
    It's more understandable at night because you can't see all the lanes are going one way, the markings are harder to see and there's probably no cars in all the lanes to signal that they are all one way as well.
    Mistakes happen, at least there was no accident and you will learn for next time. I certainly haven't made the same mistake twice after remembering the 'oh sh!t' feeling!

  • hopper on 11/09/2022 - 15:23
    +1

    My Rule no 1 - when it rains always reduce speed by 5km

    • kerfuffle on 11/09/2022 - 18:27

      They actually recommend dropping your speed by 10km when it rains

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