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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I involve the police?

65 replies

Gooseberrybushes · 06/07/2011 20:17

I was driving along a country road the other day and a tractor drove out from a side gate and hit my car. Thankfully my 3 year old was in his car seat and only has minor injuries. The tractor was driven by a 12 year old, so it isn't insured. I don't know whether to involve the police because her r grandparents assure me that she is very responsible and it would be really bad trouble for her as she's the age of crminal responsibility. Apparenlty she was only crossing the road to get from the farmhouse to the silage field(they said she carry on doing it because it's normal practice in farming families Hmm)

Am I being unreasonable to be a bit cross about this, and to want compensation for my written off car? They have persuaded me not to involve the police, as apparently even though it is technically illegal it is really ok to let her drive. Even if I called the police I wouldn't get any insurance money because she wasn't insured.

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 06/07/2011 20:18

I'd report it. What if next time a child isnt so lucky?

TheMonster · 06/07/2011 20:18

Have the family offered you any compensation?

I would want to involve the police as the next person hit may not be so lucky.

Sn0wflake · 06/07/2011 20:19

Is this about that other thread?

DogsBestFriend · 06/07/2011 20:19

This isn't a spin-off from the recent thread about an x DH allowing his 12 yo DD to drive a tractor by any chance is it?

Besides.... your car was written off? Hmm

BitOfFun · 06/07/2011 20:20

Is this a thread about a thread?

WorzselMummage · 06/07/2011 20:20

Most definitely involve the police.

Original poster
Gooseberrybushes · 06/07/2011 20:20

I see that but the family say she's needed on the farm and if she gets in trouble they will be short of hands.

OP posts:
BornInAfrica · 06/07/2011 20:20

Your car was written off and you're happy with that?

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

LynetteScavo · 06/07/2011 20:21

Your car was written off, but child driving the tractor was OK?

Hmm.....are they buying you a new car? Or are they saying someone else was driving the tractor? Otherwise I can't see how you can not inform the police.

DorcasBouvier · 06/07/2011 20:21

I also would inform the police, whether it's "normal practice" or not. It was only by luck that someone wasn't seriously injured.

griphook · 06/07/2011 20:22

of course you should call the police, can really undersatnd why not. Your son had minor injuries, if that had been a younger child would that still be the case.

You were lucky this time, but will the next person be just as lucky

strandedbear · 06/07/2011 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

griphook · 06/07/2011 20:22

*can't

pilates · 06/07/2011 20:23

OMG that is awful, yes you should contact the Police. She shouldn't be driving a tractor at her age, she is in charge of a dangerous vehicle. You were lucky, the next person might not be.

CrapolaDeVille · 06/07/2011 20:23

OP What do you think the police will do and how will you drive about?

celebmum · 06/07/2011 20:23

I'd call the police still, you'll need a crime ref if you decide to claim on your own insurance won't you?
Are they offering to cover the damages?

Wasn't there a post on here this week about a mum who didn't agree with her XDH family letting her 12year old daughter drive a tractor on their land or something!? Hope she reads this! Then she can prove it's not safe!! Ha!Grin

usualsuspect · 06/07/2011 20:23
Hmm
philadelphiacheesecake · 06/07/2011 20:23

Are they going to compensate you for your written off car?

MummyTigger · 06/07/2011 20:23

So let me get this straight...

This girl knew she was breaking the law, because as the grandparents admit it is "technically illegal". She did it anyway, caused a collision, put her life, your life and your childs' life in jeopardy... and the grandparents don't want you to contact the police because she'd have to take responsibility for her own actions?!

Sorry, but... ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH?!

Of COURSE you should be involving the police. I'd also sue the pants off them for compensation of your car and for any additional injuries sustained. But then that's just me.

Sorry, but that's really got my back up. She doesn't sound responsible in the slightest, and if she were on the tractor why weren't they watching her and making sure she went nowhere near roads in the first place?! She could have seriously injured your DC. Even if it results in nothing but a slapped wrist, she needs to learn her lesson with regard to the law and to the safety of others around her. And the grandparents don't sound like they'll discipline her in the slightest!

bruxeur · 06/07/2011 20:24

Awesome cross-thread subtlety. Really ninja.

MissPenteuth · 06/07/2011 20:24

This must be about the other thread, surely?

LostMyIdentityAlongTheWay · 06/07/2011 20:24

Blimey - sorry to repeat - but is this about the other thread?? Glad I'm not the only one thinking this.

Sorry - but if you are happy to go for private settlement, then you will have absolutely no right to expect redress in teh future? And if your car is written off, then why TF haven't you involved the police? It might be 'farming practices' to them - but what exactly does that mean in a court of law? Sweet FA, I expect.

I see it as being down to... if you can financially afford not to, and believe the spiel about 'she is needed on the farm', then keep your mouth shut. (Who the fuck is this girl - Pip Archer?)

If you think you are being taken for a ride and want some compensation, get the police involved. Sooner rather than later, as it's a few days already, surely?

YANBU to involve the police - but it depends on how neighbourly you want to be about this, non?...

Personally... sorry, I'd be on hte phone to insurers and police. You had a 3yr old in the car. You were both lucky. What about the next poor sod? End of.

BitOfFun · 06/07/2011 20:25

I bloody knew it Grin

You loon. I smelt a rat at the blasé mention of your three year-old's "minor injuries".

CoffeeIsMyFriend · 06/07/2011 20:25

oh dear, thread about a thread.

herbietea · 06/07/2011 20:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn