to think my neighbour has overreacted?

[Spottyandstripped]

My MIL has a bit of a mouth on her, and yesterday, shouted at our neighbour who accused her of driving too fast into our close as she was putting her kids in the car. MIL shouldn't have said what she did so I went round to try and smooth things over as MIL was really upset.
I spoke to the neighbour and pointed out that MIL was so upset and that she would never hurt a child, but the woman was still very angry about it as it was in front of her children and she was on her own drive. I said I didn't want to argue and she said she didn't care as she had called the police! Wtf! I told her if she did that I'd tell them she didn't supervise her kids properly as I've seen them run out into the road.
I thought she was bluffing but there was a police car there just now! AIBU to think it's a waste of police time if she's just having a moan about my MIL?

[gordyslovesheep]

well - was your MIL speeding?

[formerbabe]

YABU...your mil was in the wrong for driving too fast in those circumstances.

I shouted at a man who drove too fast past me and my DC while in a carpark.

[TalkieToaster]

The neighbour is completely within her rights to call the police if your MIL was speeding.

[Spottyandstripped]

I don't know. She says she wasn't, and that the kids were nearly out of the drive so she nearly got them and had to slam on.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Were you there with your MIL when this happened? If not, then I think you shouldn't have got into it really. If you were, then, was it too fast, honestly?

[Spottyandstripped]

She can't have been speeding as it's a tiny close!

[Spottyandstripped]

I got dragged into it as MIL was shouting from my door step as she came into the house.

[MarthasHarbour]

So your MIL was speeding, nearly knocked some children over and gave the neighbour a mouth full

And you think your neighbour is overreacting? .

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Cross post.

Mmm. Someone who admits she had to slam her breaks on to avoid children is someone you might reasonably consider enough of a hazard to report to the police, TBH. I mean, if she admits that I would put money on that she was dangerous.

[mousmous]

well, did your mil drive too fast or careless?

[Spottyandstripped]

I think the neighbour was more concerned with what she said. MIL has a mouth on her I know. But to phone the police?

[Forgettable]

What did mil say?

[BackforGood]

YABU - Your MiL was driving dangerously, then (if I've read it right?) wasn't exactly polite to your neighbour.
I think your neighbour has every right to be upset.
You sound very childish with the .... "if you do that I'll tell...", tbh.

[Floggingmolly]

It was probably the fact that your MIL has a bit of a mouth on her that's the real issue. If she genuinely wasn't speeding there was no need to shout.

[formerbabe]

So in a close of houses and she had to slam the breaks on...that says to me she was going to fast. I drive slowly in cul de sacs or closes, so if a child stepped forward, I could slow down or do a 'normal' stop rather than an emergency one iyswim.

[Spottyandstripped]

She was wrong to say what she said. She's a lovely woman but very short fused.

[Forgettable]

Yes yes yes but what did she say?

[Spottyandstripped]

The neighbour said she should be more careful and MIL told her to fuck off, and then called her a silly fucking whore. It sounds awful doesn't it?

[YuccanLiederHorticulture]

you are quick to defend your MIL but don't seem to have much empathy with your neighbour who was scared by a car going too fast near her kids. People who have had a fright like that are often quite upset themselves too. I think YABU I'm afraid.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Is it possible maybe the neighbour is genuinely scared of her? I mean, if I had little kids and one of my neighbours came to yell at me in front of them after nearly hitting them, I would be quite shaken and I would be wondering what made her act like that. I get why you're describing it in quite mild terms like 'short fused' because she's your relative and you've seen the good side of her, but it does sound as if there's something not right with her. It's not normal.

[CarolineKnappShappey]

Your MIL drove dangerously, then was abusive.

Yep , call 101. Yabu

[scurryfunge]

The police won't be there for anything to do with speeding. They will be attending because of the Anti Social Behaviour aspect/ verbal abuse.

[Spottyandstripped]

I know MIL was wrong to say that, but I'm just amazed the woman rang the police! FFS!

[PortofinoRevisited]

She had to slam on the brakes? I live in a cul de sac and kids are often in the road on bikes etc. I drive really slowly so I can see if anyone is there. So sounds to me that your MIL was in the wrong and should never have been mouthing off. Calling the police seems a bit extreme maybe....