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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:
TerraNotSoFirma · 12/06/2013 13:26

My cousin did this while we were on holiday, or tried to rather.
Every time. She picked up her phone I called from the back "do you want me to do that for you?" In a mildly steely voice....with my DC in the car too Angry

Cooroo · 12/06/2013 13:31

I've done a few things that were illegal (more in my youth than now!). You do it knowing if you get caught you will be punished.

But doing something that's as stupid and dangerous as texting and driving is daft. You don't not do it because it's against the law, you don't do it because if you do you're a dickhead.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 12/06/2013 13:34

I flash motorists to let them know a camera van is ahead. Apparently that's illegal.

reelingintheyears · 12/06/2013 13:35

I can roll a fag while i'm driving Wink

TerraNotSoFirma · 12/06/2013 13:37

DH used to do that reeling :) back in the pre child days I thought it quite impressive.

reelingintheyears · 12/06/2013 13:39

I do that too ABF and a van driver very kindly did it to me Hmm a couple of weeks ago.

LaurieFairyCake · 12/06/2013 14:31

I text while stuck in traffic. I've exceeded the speed limit on motorways.

I've definitely purchased alcohol very under age - 25 years ago in a rural community.

I've shoplifted as a child. Punched someone once (as a child but over the age of criminal responsibility).

It is very unlikely that someone has never committed any crime ever.

I'm sure there are quite a few more that I've done where I didn't even realise they were crimes.

OwlinaTree · 12/06/2013 17:23

I agree Laurie.

I wrote a long post but then lost it!!

Basically i speed on the motorway too

ComposHat · 12/06/2013 17:35

Aside from the speeding debate: I regularly do a 200miles plus drive.

Last time I did it I drove at 60mph for most of the way in the inside lane (I did accelerate to overtake lorries) but the saving on fuel was incredible and I felt so much better when I got to my destination.

ComposHat · 12/06/2013 17:40

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

Would you say that to a gay man who until comparatively recently could be arrested for having sex with someone aged 20?

Some laws are unjust, unfair and absurd and can be safely ignored.

apibeeman · 15/07/2013 18:06

I have been driving for 54 years and not had a fine or lost points on my licence, however the other day I went to Holland Park London at rush hour and got a GB65 fine for not clearing a box junction quick enough, I very rarely go into London and what with negotiating a roundabout, keeping an eye on the lights, trying to find my way, checking if anything is coming at me, all at the same time plus get out of the box junction, is only adding to the confusion and making the situation more dangerous.
Does anybody know if there is any point in appealing to this fine, or is the best bet not to ever go back to London.

quesadilla · 15/07/2013 18:16

I certainly agree with you about texting when driving, its dangerous.

Not sure I agree with your overall contention about never breaking the law though. In general I think people should obey laws that are agreed on by consensus as that's what the social contract is based on. But some laws are just downright stupid.

Like for example that one that used to exist (now rendered irrelevant) which said you were technically breaking the law if you recorded music from someone else's CD. Plenty of people think its ridiculous that you're technically breaking the law smoking a tiny amount of cannabis but you can legally go and drink yourself into a stupor. And so on and so forth...

Surely one of the points of living in a supposedly mature and tolerant democracy is that you occasionally have the right to challenge the law if you have given the matter some serious thought and think it needs to change?

PrettyKitty1986 · 15/07/2013 18:42

I put my large morrisons salad through the do-it-yourself checkout as a 'Medium'. Grin

polkadotsrock · 15/07/2013 18:56

Oh pretty you daredevil- I have seriously contemplated this, especially on days where they have ran out of something!

daisychain01 · 15/07/2013 19:10

This thread links nicely to the other one about how laws link to morality/ethics, ie one's sense of what is right should trump all. Yes this is going to come across as sanctimonious, unashamedly so, but saying that "everyone speeds at sometime or another" isnt an excuse nor does it make it right! Why do I feel like this? Two years ago I was caught for doing 37 in a 30 MPH zone and was given the option of a speed awareness course.

It was the beat thing I could have done. It really does address the 'oh its only a few mph over the limit' but that few mph is the difference between a child living or dying. I came away with my head hung in shame that I didnt believe it until I saw the evidence and heard the trainer (a retired police officer in the accident unit - had he seen some gory sights!!!). Still there were toe-rags on that course arguing the toss about speed - umm what is it you dont understand about how speeding kills.

I am awaiting the day when speeders are vilified like drink driving is nowadays. They are in the same category.

Beetle, your post about the guy using his phone and driving - well you cant unfortunately report him and get the police to respond, but if he tries to do it again, you would do well to remind him that he is breaking the law. If he arsey with you then refuse to be in a car with him ever again. Selfish b!

AKAK81 · 15/07/2013 20:09

What is it YOU don't understand about how speeding doesn't kill! Its inappropriate speed that can kill. Travelling above the speed limit is not automatically dangerous in exactly the same way that travelling below the limit is not automatically safe. The problem with having fewer traffic police and relying on speed cameras is that people get away with truly shocking driving standards but its ok as "I'm going below the speed limit so I'm a safe driver." I'd much rather be a more highly trained driver and make progress safely whilst above the limit than some vacuous blonde who has no interest in the skill of driving, pottering along without a care in world with no idea what's happening around her or anticipating what's going on ahead.

Wuldric · 15/07/2013 20:13

I have a hands free which protects me from the horror that is using my phone while stationary in traffic queues.

But I have discovered a new time saving thing, which is putting on my make-up while in a traffic jam. Perfectly legally.

The law can be quite ridiculous sometimes.

LessMissAbs · 15/07/2013 20:54

I think the police should open up a special, separate department purely for all the mumsnetters who wish to "report" people for something they have done that they don't like.

Personally, I'm just glad I wasn't at school with some of them.

ageofgrandillusion · 15/07/2013 21:01

Bollocks AKAK81. Speeding does kill, its not bloody rocket science. Speeding should be ranked alongside drink driving and other dickhead offences like texting while driving in terms of the punishments they receive.

claraschu · 15/07/2013 21:56

Isn't it illegal to photograph other people's number plates?

AKAK81 · 15/07/2013 23:03

Ageof - you're one of these 'speed kills' morons. I'll say again its inappropriate use of speed which kills.

Clara - its not illegal in the slightest.

AKAK81 · 15/07/2013 23:18

Also in 2011 twice as many fatalities had a contributing factor of 'failed to look properly' than 'exceeding the speed limit.' Considering that 1/4 of all fatalities had 'failed to look properly' as a contributing factor it seemst me the war should be on shit drivers rather than specifically targeting speed. I know my observation & anticipation skills are excellent as that's how I was trained. How are yours?

Lj8893 · 15/07/2013 23:38

Aka......I don't see your reasoning for using hair colour as a way of describing a bad driver?

Helpyourself · 15/07/2013 23:56

So what do you suggest, Aka special rules and allowances made for skilful drivers like you? Or maybe because the effects of speeding are, you know, literally fatal, you could obey the speed limit or accept the punishment and find somewhere else to do your willy waggling. Hmm