AIBU to pretend I saw nothing?

[Morgause]

We live on a lane just wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass each other. Also we live on a bend at the top of a hill. We 3 families who live in houses on the inside of the bend never park on either side of the road because houses lower down the hill cannot see if the road is clear to pull out. A few of times we have been asked by the police or support officers to move cars that are causing an obstruction outside our houses (we live near a school) but they haven't been ours. Also few years ago there was an accident lower down and we all received letters asking us not to park on the bend.

If cars are parked there it is also very difficult to get in and out of our drives.

Recently a man living 500 yards down the lane has bought himself a huge 4x4. He doesn't have the competence to park it on his drive without several attempts so has taken to leaving it outside our houses on the opposite side of the road - there are no houses opposite just school grounds. Our neighbour has asked him a few times not to but he pays his road tax and can park where he likes, he says. We have resisted talking to the police about it because that seems petty.

Anyway, last night as I was drawing our bedroom curtains I saw a visitor pulling out of next door's drive and he bashed into the 4X4. I heard the scrape. The driver (a friend of the son of NDN) drove off quickly. This morning I can see that the paintwork is badly scratched.

My inclination is to say nothing, even if asked. AIBU?

[Morgause]

His wife wouldn't be able to get her car out without him moving it if he did that.

[AchyFox]

Why doesn't he just park it across his own drive ?

[Morgause]

If I saw a pram or wheelchair or mobility scooter scape a car parked on the pavement leaving very little room to pass I'd say nothing because the driver shouldn't park on the pavement. I feel the same way about this.

He's unlikely to ask me anyway we aren't even on nodding terms.

[Charlieboo30]

I'm in two minds over this one. On the one hand, he's parked dangerously and this will probably teach him a lesson.

On the other, it's property that he has paid money for and I'd be extremely annoyed if this happened to me and the other person drove off. If the OP 'heard the scrape' then it's going to be bad, not just a little scuff. Little scuffs you expect but not if it's taken half the paint off! As someone who has just been quoted £500 to repair a stone chip on their paintwork (quite deep and dented) it's not going to be a cheap job!

I think I wouldn't go out of my way to see him but if he asked, I wouldn't lie.

[Bogeyface]

Isnt it amazing what people suddenly find they can do when they need to? Things that had previously been deemed impossible are now doable because it will cost them otherwise!

I agree that the OP shouldnt lie if asked directly, but frankly a scrape is the least of what could have happened to this car, he could have been directly responsible for a very nasty accident with his shit parking. He has learned his lesson hopefully, and hopefully so has the young lad and will be more careful in future.

[LettertoHermioneGranger]

I don't think you're under an obligation to get involved, and it may not be wise, so far as volunteering information.

However, no matter whether the neighbor is an arse or not, that does not justify that the lad performing a hit and run. That's inexcusable. And I think morally you shouldn't lie or evade if asked.

[Morgause]

Harry is the neighbour on the other side, sorry if I misled. The lad visiting next door was unlikely to have been drunk. Very few young drivers seem to drink and drive, from the ones I know. The father of the lad he was visiting wouldn't allow them to drink if they were driving.

I can see the car is in the drive this morning. So arse has learned a lesson, maybe.

[Bogeyface]

the uk site used to be ok, but the last time I looked at it was ages ago. Clearly since then it has changed its remit somewhat

Rather embarrassed! Make sure you use the .com site!

[maddening]

Campaign for that portion of road to be marked as double yellows

[AchyFox]

Do you think the Harry's visitor did it deliberately or was drunk ?

[Pipbin]

Its the wrong 'youparklikeacunt'.
I follow them on twitter and they are still happily posting pictures of people being cunts rather than actual cunts.

[CuntyBunty]

Do you have something to share with us Bogey?

[Bogeyface]

He's probably trading it in for a smartcar as we speak!

Sorry for the link above, I have reported it to MN to get it removed

[Sparklingbrook]

It's at the dealer having the dent knocked out.

[Morgause]

It's not there now. It isn't in his drive either.

[rollonthesummer]

Is his car still parked there, OP?

[Bogeyface]

You know what? Forget that website.

It used to be fine but is now full of pictures of women dogging. Its horrible :(

It should be //www.youparklikeacunt.com

[Bogeyface]

Although for some reason, there is a picture of a naked woman in the top spot

[RedRoom]

So he's noticed the damage, but is his car still there? It's no good if he's learned nothing!

[MsDiddlyQuaQua]

Keep schtum, nothing to tell.
People are too precious about cars. It's an object to get you from a to b. A paint scratch doesn't stop him doing that, nor will it fail him his MOT. It is an unreasonable expectation to leave something on a public highway and expect it to continue being in showroom condition ad infinitum.
Even if the young lad 'fesses up out of politeness I wouldn't expect him to pay anything for a paint scratch. It's part of normal wear and tear just as stone chipping marks are. If it upsets the guy, he can get rid of a paint scratch easy enough with a bit of elbow grease and not park there again.
If it were a dent however, or a bumper hanging off that's a different matter. On second thoughts, I'd keep your head down on that as well.

[RaRa1988]

I'd keep very quiet and hope the bloke's learned his lesson now. Arrogant twat - he's been proved wrong now I hope!

[Oldraver]

Well if he asks just say "well yes thats why we dont park there, we did try to warn you"