What looked like an honest mistake might’ve turned into a head-on collision and one expensive lesson.
Maricopa County driver and Redditor /u/mrcheez22 shared headshaking dashcam footage from earlier in January (Jan 16, 2026) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit showing a careless driver exiting this shopping center and almost causing their own head-on collision in the process.
Check out the dashcam footage below with the original Reddit thread linked here.
The incident happened in the 18000 block of N 59th Ave. alongside Arrowhead Ranch Plaza (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)
As the dashcam shows, OP is headed northbound on 59th towards W Union Hills Dr.
As he slips into the turn lane towards W Villa Theresa Dr, up ahead, you can see a driver in a gray Kia sedan turning left out of Arrowhead Ranch Plaza headed southbound on 59th.
They, however, miscalculate which lane to go into and turn into the turn lane that OP’s now driving in.
However, with traffic to the turners left and OP fast approaching on his right, he’s forced to “thread the needle between opposing traffic.
Thankfully, the careless driver can squeeze between the vehicles without incident, and everyone gets out of the situation unscathed.
“This is in Arizona? Reminds me of their suicide lanes….,” presumed former local /u/Grant_Winner_Extra comments.
If you didn’t already know, Arizona, especially Phoenix, has a few arguably infamous “suicide lanes” designed to handle rush-hour traffic, but they’re limited and uncommon statewide. They were created to move peak traffic without widening roads, but many drivers find them confusing and potentially dangerous.
“I think I’d be physically incapable of not honking,” /u/appa-ate-momo adds.
On regular streets in Arizona, turning into the wrong lane or driving the wrong way is generally treated as a moving violation rather than the more serious wrong‑way freeway offense. If convicted, it usually results in a fine (varies by city, often $100–$300) and 2 points on your driving record. (azleg.gov)
