Kerbed both tyres on one side while driving distracted — shaken confidence, looking for honest perspective
I (30) got my UK licence a while back but only really started driving regularly 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I was driving with a friend in the passenger seat, we were chatting, and I got distracted for a couple seconds. I looked at a bird a moment too long, was close the left, caught the kerb, slashed both tyres on the left side. No injuries, no other cars involved, car's gone off for repair.
I know this could've been worse, and I'm not trying to downplay it. A moment of distraction like that is genuinely dangerous, and it's made me realise how easily something small can turn into something much bigger. I need to be more vigilant, full stop, and I know that's on me to actually change going forward.
That said, it's also knocked my confidence more than I expected. I'm feeling pretty uncertain about getting back behind the wheel — second-guessing myself, worried about doing this again, not sure how to trust myself the way I did before.
My friend was in the car and even though she's told me she's fine and not bothered by it, I feel embarrassed, ashamed and like I'll come across as a reckless or incompetent driver.
Genuinely looking for honest input:
How common is a moment of distraction like this, realistically, versus how seriously should I be treating it?
How did you rebuild confidence after a similar moment, especially if it shook you more than the actual damage warranted?
Any concrete habits you use to keep passenger conversation from pulling your focus?
Did this kind of experience make you a noticeably safer/more careful driver going forward, or did the confidence dip cause its own problems (overcorrecting, anxious driving, etc.)?
Appreciate any honest perspective, including if you think I'm overthinking this or underthinking it.