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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to thank the lady in a blue mazda on M25

405 replies

mw27pink · 25/09/2010 23:01

We were travelling on M25 this morning at about 9.30 on the fast lane. Couple of cars before us suddenly slowed down, but the breaks in our car did not work. All I remeber is me shouting at my husband to slow down as I could see us crashing into this convertable blue mazda(not sure about the make). The lady herself was able to break on time and get out of our way by 10 cm...I am still shaking. We were going out for a fun family day and it could have gone soo wrong. We never got a chance to say thank you to her as we had to move out of the motorway all togather, but I have been thinking of that woman all day as I dont think she realised how lucky she was avoiding us at 70ml/h crashing on her back. So whoever you are THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

OP posts:
IMoveTheStars · 27/09/2010 22:20

"Stealth - yes, if you plough into someone you might at faullt when it comes to making a claim on your insurance - but I'm talking about ethics. You're going 70 and the guy in front suddenly stops with no warning - and you plough into him - are you really to blame? NO."

YES YOU ARE AT FAULT!!

[bangs head on keyboard]

I give up. You're clearly a lost cause.

FootLikeATractionEngine · 27/09/2010 22:20

Since when does a car come to an immediate halt? I think the driver would probably fly through the windscreen if that happened. Or at least get whiplash. Oooh, there's a potential claim - who should they blame?

LadyBiscuit · 27/09/2010 22:21

You're one of those black is white people aren't you Animation? Your kid pushes someone else's off the top of the climbing frame and it was the other kid's fault for standing there :(

Animation · 27/09/2010 22:21

Morloth - that was quite witty actually. I don't really want to warm to you though.

Morloth · 27/09/2010 22:21

Only if it is a blue wall hobnob.

If a driver on a motorway suddenly decides for shits and giggles to brake to a sudden stop at 70 miles per hour, then perhaps morally they are responsible for any accident caused but legally the driver behind them will still be at fault because they should have left enough distance to allow for the car in front to come to a sudden stop (for a myriad of reasons).

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 27/09/2010 22:21
hobnobsaremyfavourite · 27/09/2010 22:22

Animation you do sound a bit of a twat you know

Morloth · 27/09/2010 22:23

Don't warm to me Animation this may cause you to come to close and in your case that can clearly be dangerous for the other party.

backwardpossom · 27/09/2010 22:23

Animation you do sound a bit of a twat you know

A bit?

FootLikeATractionEngine · 27/09/2010 22:24

Wasn't there a similar thread to this concerning someone in the road around a corner on a country lane?

Did you start that one, Animation?

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 27/09/2010 22:24

I was trying to be a bit British I'm not very good at calling people twats Grin

Rockbird · 27/09/2010 22:24

I can't believe this debate is even necessary. It is your responsibility as a driver to ensure that you are aware of the road conditions, surroundings etc. What the driver in front does is largely irrelevant because you should be driving in such a way that you have time to take evasive action if necessary. If everybody a left reasonable amount of space between them and the car in front, whether motorway or not, that would prevent most accidents. You are responsible for your driving, no one else's.

Animation · 27/09/2010 22:26

I think if you're EVER in that situation on a motorway when the traffic stops dead in front of you, WITH NO WARNING, and you plough into them, don't be hard on yourself.

The insurance claim may blame you - but don't blame yourself. It's what's called an accident.

StealthPolarBear · 27/09/2010 22:26

"You're going 70 and the guy in front suddenly stops with no warning "
But he can't. Even if he slams his brakes on there will still be a certain distance that it takes for him to stop. There will! And in that distance + the distance you leave, you WIL BE ABLE TO STOP if you are bloody well paying attention and leaving space.

Cars do not stop dead. Trust me.

StealthPolarBear · 27/09/2010 22:26

You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead
You can't stop dead

mythical steel walls excepted

FootLikeATractionEngine · 27/09/2010 22:27

What SPB said.

You are not looking far enough ahead.

LadyBiscuit · 27/09/2010 22:28

Oh no, you should absolutely blame yourself Animation. It's your own incompetence as a driver that's at fault, nothing else. Actually, if you insist on driving on motorways, please stick to the slow lane - you might be a bit safer there.

StealthPolarBear · 27/09/2010 22:28

What I said the first time, or the following 12 times?

Animation · 27/09/2010 22:28

Got to go - bye.

(yes they do stop dead - on the M62)

StealthPolarBear · 27/09/2010 22:29

Oh my goodness she is up north
No, you are wrong. What you mean by stopping dead is a process from brake lights going on to car coming to a complete stop. How do you think skid marks are caused?

FootLikeATractionEngine · 27/09/2010 22:30

Do those cars have a special button them?

Morloth · 27/09/2010 22:31

Gosh I wish I could just abdicate responsibility like that and leave it to the angels.

scurryfunge · 27/09/2010 22:31

Animation - no such thing as an accident, that is why they are called Road Traffic Collisions these days.

backwardpossom · 27/09/2010 22:31

(yes they do stop dead - on the M62)

No, they don't. You cannot go from 70mph to 0mph instantly. You cannot change the laws of physics to suit your bonkers argument.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 27/09/2010 22:31

Maybe Animation has a magic car with magic laws of physics defying powers???