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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell my neighbour not to let her 13 year old drive?

32 replies

notnagging · 29/07/2013 15:34

We live on a close. My neighbour regularly lets her 13 year old son drive their cars. Guests do the same. One of the cars is a massive overfinch! I've told her before I think it is very dangerous & if he gets caught he could be prosecuted but she acts like she has no control over it. Surely you can just not give him the keys! It is not always quiet & there are lots of kids around. I want to report it but if she finds out its me it will cause a lot of troubleHmm

OP posts:
madoldbird · 29/07/2013 15:39

It's a crime. Call the police. Do you really want to wait until someone is hurt or worse.

Waffling · 29/07/2013 15:40

What's an overfinch?

MoominsYonisAreScary · 29/07/2013 15:40

I'd call the police tbh

Mandy2003 · 29/07/2013 15:41

When I saw the make of car referred to I thought Uh-oh first day of the holidays out from under the bridge...

But assuming this is a genuine OP, 101 may be the right course of action. If there are a lot of kids then there's a lot of parents who could have called. Tell the police you want to remain totally anonymous.

cushtie335 · 29/07/2013 15:43

you can drive a car at any age so long as it's on private ground, this clearly is not private ground. We had an issue with a neighbour's son zooming up our shared driveway and onto the main road in front of our house on a trail bike (which is not to be used on a public highway). He was driving recklessly and then all his friends got in on the act, so we had big bunch of surly teenagers hanging around our gate waiting for a "turn" on the bike. We called the police and it stopped immediately, no further repercussions with the neighbours (we never really spoke to them anyway). He could cause a serious accident and hurt someone, you have to tell the police.

Original poster
notnagging · 29/07/2013 15:44

An overfinch is a massive range rover but other visitors let him take their cars around the close, park them etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
notnagging · 29/07/2013 15:45

When I confronted her before she said it was the dad that let him & she didn't like it but he's not around anymore. There should be no excuses.

OP posts:
HorryIsUpduffed · 29/07/2013 15:50

I learned to drive from 13, on private land miles away from other people and cars or other obstacles.

Someone who "can't stop" her 13yo from joyriding needs help from someone, quite frankly.

Original poster
notnagging · 29/07/2013 15:52

You are right there are bigger issues & she needs to put her foot down but she seems to be a very weak parent to me.

OP posts:
ChaosTrulyReigns · 29/07/2013 15:56

Sounds like an indulged child. Sad That should not put the safety of others' at risk though, or involve illegalities.

I agree with calling 101.

Good luck.

Original poster
notnagging · 29/07/2013 15:57

Thanks for your replies. Can you call 101 anonymously? They have already had the police out for the dad before they separated. DV

OP posts:
Justforlaughs · 29/07/2013 16:00

You can call 101 anonymously, and even if you give your name the police won't pass it on. Ring them and ask advice.

Damnautocorrect · 29/07/2013 16:10

Jesus what if he kills someone, I believe she'll also get done for allowing him to drive it... Unless he 'stole' it and that's a different crime altogether.
Rediculous mother!
Yes call the police

CecilyP · 29/07/2013 16:36

You have already told her and she has done nothing to stop it. I would just call the police. Unless you are the only neighbour, it could be anyone so she will not know that it was you.

frogwatcher42 · 29/07/2013 16:42

If they can afford £50k worth of car (plus more I expect) then presumably it is a close with very few houses and lots of space? Is he sticking to their bit of the close?

Maybe it is on private land still even though it is a close? Private shared road? Not sure how that would stand legally - would it be a civil issue?

YourHandInMyHand · 29/07/2013 16:42

Yep call the police. Stress you want to remain anonymous.

How appalling she is just letting him drive around! Shock

xylem8 · 29/07/2013 16:44

My kids drove on private land as soon as they could reach the pedals. Is it private land ?

specialsubject · 29/07/2013 16:46

no, it is not private land. This is a crime.

call the cops and get both of them done for crime. The kid for the driving and her for permitting it.

before he kills or maims someone, uninsured.

frogwatcher42 · 29/07/2013 16:47

special - how do you know its not private land? Are you the op and name changed?

McNewPants2013 · 29/07/2013 16:54

If its on private land then it's legal.

If not she is putting her own licence at risk, I think it code LC22 on her licence.

Also no insurance would pay.

I would report it to the police.

PeriodFeatures · 29/07/2013 18:49

I thing it's great that kids learn to drive. On private land. Not on a public road. That's being bloody stupid.

Not just because they are putting others at risk but because they might be putting their child at risk. it only takes one reckless driver to be in the wrong place and you have an injured or dead child. With probably very little recourse if you are breaking the law yourself.

I wouldn't interfere OP. Not unless it is affecting you or your family.

Original poster
notnagging · 29/07/2013 22:17

The mum doesn't have a licence but she should still be legally responsible? Not sure how it works. I caught him out doing it again & he is very sure of himself. There's only so much I can say. I told him he's lucky he hasn't been caught & he laughed.

OP posts:
Original poster
notnagging · 29/07/2013 22:19

Yes frog watcher it is a small close with about 7 houses, it is a quiet road most of the time but cars do speed around the corner & there are lots of kids playing around

OP posts:
frogwatcher42 · 29/07/2013 22:23

Nagging - the big question is whether or not it is a private road? I think if it is it would become a civil matter wouldn't it? I think the way to tell without looking at deeds and things if you are not sure is whether or not the council sweep or maintain it? If it is public then the police would be interested.

But I could be wrong.

percythepenguin · 29/07/2013 23:21

Definately report it to the police. I have reported one of our neighbours twice for driving around with a toddler on his knee, letting the toddler steer! The police were very nice about it and said they'd speak to them.

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