WIBU to call the police?

[loveulotslikejellytots]

I went out last night for a family meal, lots of us there as it was my Brothers 21st Birthday (DB1). Everyone was drinking except DH, we live 20 minutes away, taxi's are too expensive so we always take it in turns to drive.

My Younger Brother (DB2 - not Birthday one!) was drinking all night, from 7pm until he left at 10:30pm, so he'd had at least 4-5 pints. As he got up to leave I asked him how he was getting home, he said he was driving. I told him he was being stupid and asked (in front of everyone, but quietly) why my Mum and Dad weren't trying to stop him or why they hadn't taken his keys off of him when they arrived. My Brother started sulking a usual and walked off, I was told not to make a scene.

This is a regular thing with my Brother, and my parents refuse to do anything about it. The main reason for that is my Dad will also drive home after a night out. His arguement being it's only about a mile (true) and he's been driving for years and never had an accident (also true). But it still doesn't make it ok!!!!!

So I went outside and phoned the non emergency Police number. I gave them all his car details and where he was going. Unfortunately he wasn't pulled over, the police probably didn't have time to see him driving as it is only a short distance home.

My Dad found out that I phoned the police and called me this morning. He's really angry with me and has told me it was "a bit twattish" to do that to my Brother. He also drove home (and had quite a bit to drink) and if I'd known that I would have given them his details too, but I thought they were getting a taxi. He's really angry at me.

I dont think i've done anything wrong here. My Brother will one day either kill himself or god forbid kill someone else. My Dad's lucky he hasn't already, it's pure chance he hasn't been caught either. I just dont understand them, they do this on a regular basis and let it bloody happen!!!! Beside the risk to themselves and other people on the roads etc. my Dad could lose his Job if he lost his licence.

DH and my Nan agree with me, but WIBU and apparently a twat to call the police? To be honest I dont really care if I am, I am just so angry with them all.

You are so not being unreasonable.

Why have you never called the Police on your Dad in the past?

You werent being unreasonable to have called the police, but you should not have told anyone that you had done it.

I am struggling to find the words to explain here, but they are your family, and grassing up your family is one thing, telling them that you have done it is another, and I cant say I blame them for being angry with you.

Wow. Please keep phoning the police EVERY time OP. I've no desire to be killed by some drunken arse driving a car.

Oh, YANBU.

I'v never been there when he's done it. It's usually when he's out where my parents live, I don't live near them so wouldn't know where he is, where he's drinking, where he's going etc. I normally find out in a round about way a few days after.

'Grassing up your family'? What is this - the Krays?

YANBU. I wish I had the courage to do that with some people I know. Well done, its better to be a "a bit twattish" (in some peoples opinion) than put peoples lives in danger.

A neighbor of my parents is currently serving 11 years for killing 2 people whilst driving drunk. IMO, not enough. No excuse for drink driving.

And as for your dad, if its only a bloody mile he should walk

Sorry squeaky I meant to say that Mum came to see where I was. I was still on the phone to the police, she told my dad.

YWBU and it is a bit twattish to call the police on your close family for something like this. If this is a regular occurrence, why didn't you talk to them about it before? In broad daylight and when everyone is sober, I mean, not when everyone's been drinking and about to go home.

If I do something out of order, I would expect my sibling to sit me down and talk to me about it and convince me that I am wrong. Not call the police on me.

You shoukld be so proud of yourself. Too many sit by and do nothing 'because it's family!'

You could save someone (and your DB's) lives by doing this.

Cote - i'v tried talking to my brother in the past. So has DH. He doesn't listen, he sees it as my Dad does it and has always been ok so it's ok for him as well. My dad says its a pain in the arse getting taxis!

Can't you give them a ride on these occasions?

YANBU well done you for being brave enough to do it.

A drunk driver drove straight into my brother who was on his motorbike, my brother was in hospital for months. He has metal plates in his legs and shoulders which still cause him pain over 20 year later, he was lucky he wasn't killed.

The guy driving had been out for the night and said he thought he was ok to drive as he wasn't going far.

YANBU

But why didn't your DH drive then home? And then your DB and DF could have retrieved their cars in the morning?

"Why can't her family just not drink and drive??"

Ask OP, not me. I don't know these people.

YANBU and I think you were very brave.

I once took my boss's keys - he never forgave me :(

We could and have in the past. My Brother tends to leave before everyone else (usually to avoid paying his share of the bill - that's a whole other thread). Last night we were taking my Nan and Grandad home. We left after my Brother but before my Mum and Dad. Mum told me they were getting a taxi but DH saw my Dad this morning and it turns out he drove.

And my Dad won't walk because he is over weight with bad hips. No excuse for driving though. He doesn't walk anywhere if he doesn't have to - again that could be a thread of its own.

I have a lot of respect for you OP, and you definitely did the right thing and should continue to do it every time they drink drive. Sit them down and get them to watch some clips online about drink driving. Some of them are really hard hitting and rightly so. The trouble is, once you've done it once and gotten away with it, it's like being given the green light to go and do it again.

YANBU and YAB brave to do this when so many other people don't step in and stop their friends and family getting behind the wheel when they've been drinking.

YADNBU. And, shouldn't be up to you to have to take responsibility for how they get home if they've decided to get drunk, it's up to them.

I don't understand why they can't just not drink and drive! Most of our friends all take it in turns to drink OR drive when out.

I don't know why they find it so difficult.

Well done op. I wish more people had your courage.