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AIBU?

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Should I contact police to tell them I was overtaken on a 60mph road about 120mph - and then there was a crash?

110 replies

squashedbananasagain · 23/01/2025 09:11

Last night I was driving home through a national park. It's a 60mph limit road but was very dark, (unlit road), the road service isn't great and the white lines are patchy and faded. There are also lots of deer about and there are often crashes, so I was going at 50 miles an hour.

One car passed me at about 63/64mph and then shortly afterwards a car came from nowhere, and overtook me way faster; a car has never overtaken me so fast on a 60mph road before. He flew past both me the car in front of me (that was still doing 63/64mph from overtaking me). He then cut in front of that car because there was something coming the other way. The speed in which he was going was so fast that it actually made me gasp and my hand flew to my mouth - and I am not a gasper. Blush. His numberplate was obscured at the back so I couldn't tell what it was and he was going so fast that you couldn't see anything much else except that it was a black saloon.

About 15 minutes later on the same road everything came to a stop. Local news reports have reported that not only was there a multi car crash, but there was also a separate incident whereby a car was burnt out in a layby on the same road very close by.

My dilemma is: do I do anything? Do I ring the police? What can I tell them if I do that's of any use? The only thing I can tell them is that a car drove past me extremely fast and dangerously but that I don't have a number plate, I don't have the car type, or see the driver or occupants. Nor do I know that the cars involved in the multi car crash or in the fire were the same car. It's just a coincidence and based on a strong suspicion that a car driving that dangerously would shortly be involved in a crash.

Would the police actually be interested with this information and would it ever be of any use - or shall I just leave it? I worry that this driver has hurt other people and will try and blame them for bad driving whereas, he was driving atrociously beforehand and people need to know that.

OP posts:
SharpOpalNewt · 23/01/2025 10:56

MaryWhitehouseExperienced · 23/01/2025 10:53

My friend actually screams, which is so off-putting. She did this once when someone cut me up. Her screaming could have caused an accident.

Oh god, yes. Some people are terrible passengers.

MaryWhitehouseExperienced · 23/01/2025 10:53

SharpOpalNewt · 23/01/2025 10:42

My MIL has a strong startle reflex so would definitely gasp at things or physically jump, or drop something, where I would have no reaction or react ten minutes later! Probably due to slow processing rather than some kind of superpower.

Edited

My friend actually screams, which is so off-putting. She did this once when someone cut me up. Her screaming could have caused an accident.

MaryWhitehouseExperienced · 23/01/2025 10:52

SerafinasGoose · 23/01/2025 10:50

Agreed - but thank you, OP, for posting this thread and reminding me to do something I've been meaning to do for a long time: order a dash cam.

I'm witnessing some death-defying driving on the local motorways of late - it seems to me to be getting worse - and am often a lone female driver with a long commute.

This serves as a timely reminder.

I'm going to get a dash cam too. Why are people driving like this? It's as though they've been watching too much Formula 1.

SerafinasGoose · 23/01/2025 10:51

vapourtrail · 23/01/2025 10:39

I'm side tracked by wondering about whether I would characterise myself as A gasper or as a Not a gasper...

Guess it beats being a squealer!

SerafinasGoose · 23/01/2025 10:50

andthat · 23/01/2025 10:20

And that’s the only response you need.

Agreed - but thank you, OP, for posting this thread and reminding me to do something I've been meaning to do for a long time: order a dash cam.

I'm witnessing some death-defying driving on the local motorways of late - it seems to me to be getting worse - and am often a lone female driver with a long commute.

This serves as a timely reminder.

MaryWhitehouseExperienced · 23/01/2025 10:49

Wow, just reading your description made me feel anxious. What a thing to witness. I hope you got to contact the police and that you are OK.

SharpOpalNewt · 23/01/2025 10:42

vapourtrail · 23/01/2025 10:39

I'm side tracked by wondering about whether I would characterise myself as A gasper or as a Not a gasper...

My MIL has a strong startle reflex so would definitely gasp at things or physically jump, or drop something, where I would have no reaction or react ten minutes later! Probably due to slow processing rather than some kind of superpower.

Mrsbloggz · 23/01/2025 10:41

caramac04 · 23/01/2025 09:23

Report, it could be part of a jigsaw puzzle. I hope all who encountered this idiot driver are ok.

I agree with this.
It sounds very shocking and upsetting OP!

vapourtrail · 23/01/2025 10:39

I'm side tracked by wondering about whether I would characterise myself as A gasper or as a Not a gasper...

Arlanymor · 23/01/2025 10:35

MagnoliaGirlie · 23/01/2025 09:33

Yes, I would tell them. You don't know what pieces of the puzzle they don't have yet and you might just bring some important info (or confirming some) without knowing it (speed, location, time, numbers of cars...).
I'm sorry you were in this situation, it must feel quite scary and sad.

Exactly this. Call 101.

Comefromaway · 23/01/2025 10:34

You should absolutely tell them. Usually there is a phone number or reference number for witnesses after a serious accident. Have a look online to see if you can find them.

dragonfliesandbees · 23/01/2025 10:33

Costcolover · 23/01/2025 10:31

I wouldn't unless you've got the number plate as you can’t be sure that was the car which crashed

Any information could be useful to the police. There may be other witnesses and taking a few statements together could help establish what happened.

OP yes of course you should report it.

Costcolover · 23/01/2025 10:33

MeanMrMustardSeed · 23/01/2025 09:43

For me the question is, why wouldn’t you tell them? There’s no reason not to.

OP doesn't know the registration of the car which passed her so she doesn't know whether it was that car which crashed. So I wouldn't bother personally. OP doesn't even know the make & model

Costcolover · 23/01/2025 10:31

I wouldn't unless you've got the number plate as you can’t be sure that was the car which crashed

CharSiu · 23/01/2025 10:31

Please do call them, a dark saloon type car is enough information plus the speeding.

PumpkinSpicePie · 23/01/2025 10:30

You could log it online and then they can decide what to do with it. If a black saloon was involved in the crash it'll be useful to them. Or if one caused a crash then drove off

Mydietstartstomorrow · 23/01/2025 10:26

You often see “if anyone has information on this crash…” signs so yes definitely report it.

MyDeftDuck · 23/01/2025 10:22

This.
All it will cost you is your time and if you can give specific timings of what you observed all the better. It will help the investigating team build up a more precise picture of what happened

andthat · 23/01/2025 10:20

Mulledjuice · 23/01/2025 09:12

Would the police actually be interested with this information and would it ever be of any use

Let them decide that

And that’s the only response you need.

HPandthelastwish · 23/01/2025 10:12

There will be a serious car collision team, you can contact 101 or online through the contact form and they will get it to the right people.

They'll be able to use your information to place the car and possibly use CCTV to identify it before the accident.

Georgyporky · 23/01/2025 10:09

Tell them, although it's possible it was a Police Car in pursuit.

fashionqueen0123 · 23/01/2025 10:00

squashedbananasagain · 23/01/2025 09:39

Thanks for the replies. Is there a way of reporting it online? It's not a 999 case.

Just call non emergency number

Pootles34 · 23/01/2025 10:00

Have a look on the social media (x, although I hate to use it) for the police in your area - there will most likely be an appeal for witnesses. They will tell you who to contact.

borntobequiet · 23/01/2025 10:00

Of course you should.

ErickBroch · 23/01/2025 09:59

You just call 101 or report online. Do not call 999.