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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think if something is illegal then you don't bloody do it?

99 replies

BeetleBugBaby · 11/06/2013 16:42

I know of someone who texts while they drive and I am annoyed everytime I think about it. Isn't it illegal to use your phone and drive?

He also speeds on occasion, should I report him?

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 11/06/2013 16:44

Surely they would have to catch him in the act if you reported him

notanaxemurderer · 11/06/2013 16:44

Yes it's illegal, but I'm not sure how you could report someone for speeding. Texting and driving annoys me, too.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 11/06/2013 16:45

Oh,but you don't you know speeding isn't really illegal. All those speed cameras are just imposing a stealth tax on the poor drivers.

scarletforya · 11/06/2013 16:46

Yeah. I'm sure the police will get right onto it. Hmm

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 11/06/2013 16:48

I think everybody speeds at some time or another...and some speed restrictions are ridiculous anyway. I am not speed hog by any stretch and of course, people need to be safety conscious but yeah, have certainly gone a few mph over at times.

Texting is another matter though but no point reporting him, he needs to be caught in he act!

livinginwonderland · 11/06/2013 16:50

everyone speeds occasionally, and how can you really report it?

Original poster
BeetleBugBaby · 11/06/2013 16:50

He does it while he has his kids in the car too. He has done it while I have been in the car with my DC and I was Angry but did not say anything. I should have. Scarlet there is no need for sarky comments.

OP posts:
scaevola · 11/06/2013 16:51

Isn't it one of the quirks of British law enforcement that you can only be done for driving offences if caught by a police officer in uniform?

If you had grounds to suspect them of other offences, I'd say it was your duty to report them. But I don't think it can be done for this one.

(Where's vicar when we need her?)

Original poster
BeetleBugBaby · 11/06/2013 16:51

Just because "everybody does it" doesn't make it legal Angry what the hell is wrong with people?

OP posts:
ParadiseChick · 11/06/2013 16:51

I'm astounded at the amount of people you see texting at traffic lights.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 11/06/2013 16:52

Well if he is texting whilst you are in the car then really, you need to say something rather than stew on it later. Just take his phone out of his hand and say to do it when he has stopped!

Original poster
BeetleBugBaby · 11/06/2013 16:52

Is 10-15mph over the limit acceptable to you lot then? After all only a few mph is apparently fine? Hmm

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 11/06/2013 16:54

Listen, if you are in the car and say nothing whilst he does it then you are as bad as us lot IMO. Either grow a pair or move on!

ParadiseChick · 11/06/2013 16:55

Depends on the road

Residential streets its never ok

A roads. Motorways. Meh

EuroShaggleton · 11/06/2013 16:55

Texting/being on the phone whilst driving really bothers me. Around london I am often bumped into by people doing the "on the phone pavement stroll". They really don't need to be in charge of a tonne of metal when that distracted.

At traffic lights, it doesn't really bother me (I don't do it as it's against the law, but I consider it a bit of a pointless rule).

Speeding meh. Many speed limits do not suit the road conditions. They were imposed when roads and cars were very different to now and have been left unchanged.

notanaxemurderer · 11/06/2013 16:59

He has done it while I have been in the car with my DC and I was but did not say anything.

Why don't you say something??

MalcolmTuckersMum · 11/06/2013 17:03

Actually, if you have witnessed this behaviour first hand and chosen to do nothing then you are, imo, considerably worse than 'us lot'. Don't be yapping on here about it - rather tell us what you intend to do!

WMittens · 11/06/2013 18:45

Isn't it one of the quirks of British law enforcement that you can only be done for driving offences if caught by a police officer in uniform?

I think it must be clear (or made clear) that they are police officers, so a plain clothes officer in an unmarked car can make a stop if they switch on the blues and twos. Plain clothes, unmarked car and no blue lights/siren means you don't have to stop (and as a matter of personal safety, I think recommended that you don't stop).

OwlinaTree · 11/06/2013 18:49

Interested by your post title.

To think if something is illegal then you don't by do it.

Can anyone, hand on heart, say they have never broken the law in some small way?

LoSiento · 11/06/2013 19:03

Well, in this instance I agree, but do I agree with your statement "if it's illegal don't do it"... Not in all cases no.

OwlinaTree · 11/06/2013 19:04

Yes actually i agree with OP, shouldn't be mucking about when driving.

lookingbusy · 11/06/2013 19:06

The law is not the same as morality. Some things are legal, but immoral (tax avoidance schemes for example).

OwlinaTree · 11/06/2013 19:11

What about someone giving you a free drink in a restaurant or extra change in a shop? Not sure if it's illegal to take it or not? But i bet loads of us do!

LittleBearPad · 11/06/2013 19:11

People speed; they also, for example, buy drinks and cigarettes when below the legal ages. But the police generally have more important things to deal with. Have you never broken the law OP?

DISCLAIMER 45/55in a 30/40 zone is NOT ok nor is using your phone when driving.

LoSiento · 11/06/2013 19:12

And by the same token, some things that are illegal may be the moral thing to do in some circumstances.