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AIBU?

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To be really sad at the way my 17 year old DD was treated when she broke down at a roundabout

131 replies

Greyhoundmad83 · 19/09/2025 10:57

My DD passed her driving test 2 weeks ago. She's driving my car around on the days I work from home.

Anyway, at rush hour after sixth form, she broke down on a busy roundabout in the middle of the city (the clutch had gone).

She put her emergency lights on and called me. It was very obvious she had broken down. Honestly I was so shocked to hear the beeping, people shouting at her and she said other were laughing as they went past too.

My daughter isn't excessively sensitive, but she was really shaken up.... not by the clutch going, but at the anger people had towards her for breaking down. There are several lanes of traffic, so people could get around her.

Thankfully an older man eventually stopped and managed to get the car into gear and down a side road until I got to her and Greenflag arrived to take it to a garage. I'm so grateful to this guy who had a daughter similar age.

AIBU to be disgusted at the way people treated her? I feel like society has got worse!

OP posts:
Dramatic · 19/09/2025 11:05

A car once crashed in to me on a mini roundabout, both cars were totalled. We. Both of us drivers were in shock and sat staring at each other for about a minute before either of us even attempted to get out of the car. While this was happening the car behind me beeped, then pulled up alongside and shouted "are you just gonna sit in there all day?" Laughed and drove off. I just don't understand how anyone can be so cold towards someone else. I'm sorry your daughter went through that, there's just no need.

user1471538275 · 19/09/2025 11:03

Your poor daughter. On a roundabout is an awful place for it to happen and I think many of us would feel massively stressed and upset about the beeping etc.

Agree that focusing on the person who helped her and reinforcing that she did the right thing in the situation - put her hazards on etc, called for help.

ishimbob · 19/09/2025 11:01

I had exactly this experience at the same age. Right down to the nice older man who helped me.

It was horrid!

Allmarbleslost · 19/09/2025 11:01

I'm on the roads a lot and unfortunately the majority of drivers seem to get more selfish by the day. I hope it won't put your dd off driving in the future

Owly11 · 19/09/2025 11:00

That is very depressing. I am so sorry your daughter went through that.

Bladderpool · 19/09/2025 11:00

Try and focus on the decent person who helped. On any given day, most people will have 100 pleasant interactions but they’ll focus on one negative one and go on about it for years. It’s human nature unfortunately but there are more good people than bad.