The Tom Tom

I still shake my head in disbelief when I think about this! I was taking a young friend back home, another member of my family was with me, both were sitting in the back. The family friend she had been asleep for most of the journey, and was sitting behind me. We were almost at our journey's end, (in more ways than one) It was the child's new house, I hadn't picked her up, so this was my first time to this town and road. I don't believe in relying solely on the Tom Tom but as I didn't know where I was going I was been extra careful......

The Tom Tom had said I needed to be in the right hand lane for I was to turn off to the right side road ahead, onto a little road. I missed the turning! This strange road was like a huge round-a-bout, with various roads going off it. So I went round again, my family member she had just woken up after I'd missed the turning and said jokingly, "If you miss the turning again, I'll Kill you"!

So round I went again, determined not to miss it, again the Tom Tom said bear right and to take the next right ahead, then family member said my name, I said "Yes?" She didn't reply, she said my name again in her calm, laid-back voice and again I replied, "Yes" I had gone to the right when the Tom Tom had said so, ready to turn into the little side road. To my horror I was on the wrong side of the road!! I could see the gray car in front of me, and with 1 or 2 seconds to spare, I turned my car to the left! Thus missing a fatal, head on collision! I often think of that poor driver, he or she must have needed counselling! You just done expect that when you are driving on the roads. I still can't believe how calm my family member was. I would have yelled at the top of my voice, "Janice, you on the wrong side of the road!!!!"

I wondered if she would tell on me.... I gingerly ask the question on the way back to our Town, (She drove back, It should have been me)but I was still shaken. She said she wouldn't tell, it would be our secret...

The next day, I told a trusted friend & before I finished, she said, "I know exactly where you are talking about in that town. She went on to explain, she had to take her car there to be serviced and no other place, they had warned her the roads were strange and since the had changed the road layout it is not recognised on the Tom Tom and the garage had warned her about that road!

I took a small comfort in that, but I lost my confidence a bit, and I wont be looking forward to the next time I have to go there.

The child was not aware of any of this, for she was asleep.