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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you make a 3 hour journey by car today?

60 replies

JulianCasa · 07/12/2024 06:41

Trying to decide what to do. 3.5 hour journey across yellow warning areas with a child in tow. Don’t want to let anyone down but also don’t want to get stuck in potential tailbacks or worse.

AIBU - don’t go
ANBU - go!
stay safe everyone x

OP posts:
Andnowshesatoddler · 07/12/2024 09:12

Yes and no?

Yes - if it's an important journey and can't be prosponed

No - it's just a play date with the kids on similar.

Also would depend on my car - my DH range rover yes absolutely, sister's smart car, absolutely not.

Do make sure you have supplies in the car whatever your decision and keep an eye out on the weather it's a long journey home if it gets worse and worse.

Hope you manage a safe day

JingleB · 07/12/2024 09:10

snoopysnoooper · 07/12/2024 08:47

I am having the same problem as I am not sure how bad it's going to be. I'm in W Yorks and meant to be visiting family just south of Sheffield. It's a 90 min drive down the motorway. Gusts of 57mph due later on but I really struggle to work out how windy that actually is. It's just a yellow warning here and very still at the minute but I guess it's working its way up.

I think I'm probably being really overly cautious.

We’re doing over twice that distance on a similar route. If we didn’t go out on yellow warning days we’d be stuck home nearly weekly. Yellow for wind is extremely common across Yorkshire.

A high sided vehicle across the Pennines - probably postpone the trip. A car down the M1, no worries.

JaninaDuszejko · 07/12/2024 09:08

I'm in a yellow zone in the NE and there was rain overnight but we've had no wind.

crockofshite · 07/12/2024 09:05

OrangesCinammonIvy · 07/12/2024 06:44

As above where to and from, I'm near London and I'm not looking forward to a short 10 min drive.

Same. Have to attend a post op appointment but would be happy if the hospital rings to cancel.

Also got someone travelling to stay here, wouldn't be put out if they thought better of it.

biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 09:05

@Ponoka7 but it's not neglect to drive in a yellow weather warning. Red, yes, Amber, possibly, but yellow? That's just a normal autumn/winter day for huge parts of the country.

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 09:00

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soupfiend · 07/12/2024 08:59

We'll be on the road for about 7 hours today, probably more given lunch stops and a detour I want to make.

Ponoka7 · 07/12/2024 08:57

biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 08:44

But this is a yellow warning and during the day. Where I am, we get yellow warnings for wind and rain almost weekly from about October to March - it's just normal weather and nothing to cancel plans over.

I also can't imagine being so callous that my first thought is to blame the parents when there's been an accident Confused

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That isn't my first thought. But when you take some breeds of dogs into your home, or load your newborn/young baby into a car, during bad conditions/middle of the night, you are responsible. I think the same of other 'accidents'. I've never forgotten the twins who got out of the unlocked house and drowned. The door was left open by the father after having a smoke. Likewise meeting a man and within months leaving a non verbal young child with him. There's accidents, then there's neglect.

snoopysnoooper · 07/12/2024 08:47

I am having the same problem as I am not sure how bad it's going to be. I'm in W Yorks and meant to be visiting family just south of Sheffield. It's a 90 min drive down the motorway. Gusts of 57mph due later on but I really struggle to work out how windy that actually is. It's just a yellow warning here and very still at the minute but I guess it's working its way up.

I think I'm probably being really overly cautious.

biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 08:44

Ponoka7 · 07/12/2024 08:23

Being honest, whenever I hear of car accident deaths of young children during weather warnings and the middle of the night, I wonder what was so important for their parents put them at risk. People don't drive according to the conditions. We could do without added pressure on our emergency services and healthcare.

But this is a yellow warning and during the day. Where I am, we get yellow warnings for wind and rain almost weekly from about October to March - it's just normal weather and nothing to cancel plans over.

I also can't imagine being so callous that my first thought is to blame the parents when there's been an accident Confused

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 08:34

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BitOutOfPractice · 07/12/2024 08:29

In the yellow area? It wouldn’t even cross my mind not to go to be honest.

“Being honest”, that’s a really horrible first thought to have when you hear about accidents with children in @Ponoka7

Coconutter24 · 07/12/2024 08:25

JulianCasa · 07/12/2024 07:49

Would you speak to someone like this in real life if they asked you a question that they were worrying about?

Show quote history

It’s honestly really good advice what they have given you.

ByMerryKoala · 07/12/2024 08:23

Is your whole journey in the yellow warning area?

Ponoka7 · 07/12/2024 08:23

Being honest, whenever I hear of car accident deaths of young children during weather warnings and the middle of the night, I wonder what was so important for their parents put them at risk. People don't drive according to the conditions. We could do without added pressure on our emergency services and healthcare.

Original poster
JulianCasa · 07/12/2024 08:13

NE to NW. We’ve decided to stay home.

OP posts:
biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 08:13

In a yellow area, yes - it wouldn't occur to me not to.

Turbo4 · 07/12/2024 08:09

You Need to do what you feel comfortable doing. We have plans in London today which is a half hour train ride and then 1 hour train. We are still going.

grimupnorthnot · 07/12/2024 08:06

It all depends where you live and where you’re going too without that we can’t help you.

but in a yellow are life goes on and I’d go. Even in amber I’d probably go but access first.

we’re at a Christmas market today and we will be open as normal. Weather here is a bit windy but bugger all really.

Penguinmouse · 07/12/2024 08:01

I’m in London (so not a yellow area) and am now re-assessing whether it is worth the 15 min drive to the supermarket because the wind sounds so strong :/ I think if you are going to do it, set off as soon as possible so you can build in tailbacks/the need to drive slowly and safely/the need to stop.

What is the event?

Spagettifunctional · 07/12/2024 07:58

If it’s not serious then I would leave it. Especially if you are worried.

have a cosy day in.

Squirrelblanket · 07/12/2024 07:58

It depends where you are. We're in the yellow zone (NW England) and it's raining but no wind so seems fine.

DiscoBeat · 07/12/2024 07:57

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makemineadecaf · 07/12/2024 07:56

I'm Surrey yellow area and will be driving 30mins at lunchtime when it's due to die down.

Grahamhousehushand · 07/12/2024 07:55

@JulianCasa well quite. Not sure what the point of going online to say that was

I wd be reluctant unless it's a very difficult to move as the length of the journey makes it more likely you will encounter something like flooded roads, tail backs or fallen trees that make the journey very long for your child. I have cancelled a weekend away with a similar journey and an adult kid for that reason but it's something easy to reschedule.