Pria ended up in a ditch (with photos)

Were you not able to get the car out of the ditch yourself? Seems the front tires were firmly on the ground and this is a front wheel drive, so I don't see what's to stop you from getting back on the road yourself.
Anyway, sorry for your troubles.

 

You must still look out the rear window when backing up; you can't trust the camera to give you an accurate view.

It also sounds like you began to move too fast while backing up, making it hard to maintain accurate position on the road. I don't see why you didn't just make the U-turn, even if it would take several back-and-forth moves to accomplish.

 

It could have been worse. You could have gone off the other side of the road.
As a dumb teen driver, I once loss control and ran off of Highway 1 on the Northern California coast. In the location where we were, if we would have gone off the ocean side, I know I wouldn't be here today - it was probably a 200 foot drop almost straight down to the ocean and rocks. I won't say what we were doing . . . let's just suffice to say I made my girl friend sit on her side of the car for the rest of the trip.

Chamaree, on your list of damage to have fixed, it's now time to have the wheel alignment checked too.

Now you know why when two cars meet on a one lane mountain road, it is the uphill car which is required to reverse back up the hill, rather than the downhill car reversing down the hill. [at least that is the law in California]

 

I'm sorry to hear about poor Pria, especially after you just got her repaired after the parking lot hit-and-run

I fail to see where second-guessing you helps this situation; I will just say that I am glad to hear that no one is injured and I am confident that your insurance will cover all the repairs, including an alignment, that will be needed to have her as good as new.

Good luck with your studies

 

I am glad that everyone is ok.

Is it me or the rear wheels do not look straight. It looks like toe-in.

 

The wheels go like that when lifed off the ground.
Use side mirrors when reversing, camera is there for seeing kids and stuff behind the car to supliment the mirrors not for reversing down a hill.
You need to keep speed very slow reversing down a hill, the brakes are the wrong way around when reversing.
Glad no one got hurt.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 20 2007, 10:28 AM) [snapback]499105[/snapback]</div>

Does anyone know if 'B' engine breaking works in reverse and if so at what speed will it slow you?

Glad to here everyone is o.k.! That'll learn ya not ta go ta Tennessee.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dareniott @ Aug 20 2007, 08:42 AM) [snapback]499136[/snapback]</div>

I doubt it.

But by the time engine-braking makes any difference, you're going to be moving way too fast anyway.

 

I am from the East Tennessee area and LOVE the Great Smokey Mountains. However, I will be sure to not make the same mistake. Sorry for the troubles!

 

You should drive north instead; we have fewer hills. Of course, you could end up in the lake.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dareniott @ Aug 20 2007, 08:42 AM) [snapback]499136[/snapback]</div>

"B" is a forward "gear."
Oh, and if "B" is used for backing down a steep road, it may just lead to engine "breaking." :lol:

 

Glad to hear that you and your friends are OK.

One thing that strikes me is that you should work on your driving skill, preferably in safe, fenced in place. This time, your accident occurred on a secluded mountain road but chances are that the next time you fail to apply the brakes properly, misjudge the road condition or something else related to simple mistakes you might hit some innocent bystander.

The 'B' won't work when going in reverse.

 

Tenebre, what is that car in your avatar and why is it there? Just curious.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusOwner004 @ Aug 20 2007, 09:48 PM) [snapback]499311[/snapback]</div>

That is my old car (a Citroën C2 VTR). The picture was taken at the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring after a few laps. The picture is there since I have yet to snap a decent photo of my new car (my digital camera is on repair under warranty and I'm not a very good photographer when I do have the camera).

 

wow, well that had to be frightening. glad you and company are okay and the car made its way out of the ditch. car repair is far cheaper than human repair!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Aug 19 2007, 10:50 PM) [snapback]498929[/snapback]</div>

If you can't see out the back window, then you shouldn't be backing up any considerable distances. The camera is a gadget, and is not actually a replacement for proper sightlines.