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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did I over or under react?

125 replies

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:17

So, just driving down the road with my 1 year old in the car. A red car pulls out in front of me, and proceeds to drive down the road on the completely wrong side, swerving everywhere. I mean really swerving, far worse than if you jare just glancing at your phone. She was properly on the wrong side. Fortunately no cars coming in opposite direction, which is rare as this is the main road into a small town. This goes on for about .5 of a mile. I actually start to get scared for the driver, as it is so bad. Approaching the town is a roundabout. The red car then proceeds to mount the roundabout with front and back right wheels.

At this point I think oh my god. Pull on my hand break and jump out. The woman has her phone in her hand and 2 babies (can't be more than 3) in the back. There is also a can of Stella in the passenger door. She looked awful.

I put on my Jo frost super nanny low stern voice, usually reserved for putting my kids on the naughty step, and said. "What on earth do you think you are doing, you were so dangerous you could harm yourself, your babies, others" I don't know if she was drunk, she was definitely on her phone. She was quite defensive at first, then apologetic and said she hasd been up all night and was very tired. So I said she had to go straight home, put the kids in front of the TV and rest, because she was a danger in her current state.

She came down off the kerb then drove off straight through a red light..... Feeling awful now .....so mumsnet should I a) not have said or done anything b) taken the registration and called the police c) offered to follow her home to make sure she got there safely.... Just worried for her babies...

OP posts:
Theselittlelightsofmine · 22/10/2014 10:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Theselittlelightsofmine · 22/10/2014 10:19

This reply has been deleted

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Bailey101 · 22/10/2014 10:19

Why didn't you call the police? That should have been the first thing you did!

WinterHobbit · 22/10/2014 10:21

In that situation I would have called the police but good for you for telling her exactly what she needed to hear!

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:21

That's what I wanted to do, it was my instinct, but short of forcing her not drive off, what could i do. Should I have taken the reg plate? Would the police have been interested?

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petalsandstars · 22/10/2014 10:21

If I'd have been as far as to get her door open I'd be ringing police without her leaving as she could kill them all or someone else!

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:22

It was about an hour ago. I was a mixture of angry and concerned so didn't get the reg..

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mommy2ash · 22/10/2014 10:23

I would have called the police to be honest she wasn't safe to drive anywhere. that sounds like way more than being tired

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:23

Do you think the police would have been interested? Does anyone know what they do in circumstances like this?

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kaymondo · 22/10/2014 10:25

Yes you should have taken her reg no and called the police. You just saw a snap shot of her life this morning and it wasn't very pretty - if she's willing to go out in public in that state and drive imagine what she might be like at home. Those poor kids could well be at risk Hmm

I'd call the police now and tell them what you can - the family might be known to them/ss already.

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:25

When I saw the phone in her hand I thought, this is not just the phone that has caused this....

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ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 22/10/2014 10:26

Of COURSE they'd be interested! You should have called immediately. Even with no reg they could dispatch cars nearby to keep an eye out for her and also look at security cameras in the area!

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:27

At least none of you think I over reacted.... Was scared I shouldn't have given her my super nanny voice...

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ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 22/10/2014 10:28

Hmm Why didn't you bloody report her? She could have killed her children or others. Nobody cares about your "super nanny voice".

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:29

Ok. Will find the number of our local police community support officer. I know the make and model of car, plus it was an old car pre year 2000, so know the first letter, just not the rest.

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Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:30

I am trying to say I didn't scream or shout. I was stern but didn't lose it with her.

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ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 22/10/2014 10:30

Bit late now. Did you see the house she left from when you first saw her? I'd be giving the address in too so they can check on the welfare of the children.

ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 22/10/2014 10:31

You're focusing on the wrong part of the story OP. Y wrong your reaction was only "wrong" in that you failed to do your duty as a citizen and report her.

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:32

It wasn't an address she pulled out from, it was from a side street into the main road... It was then she caught my attention as she made a hash of doing just that.

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Littlef00t · 22/10/2014 10:33

It's not too late, if they want to, they can check CCTV if available and trace from there.

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:34

Ok. I hear you clapyourhands. But it was all happened in about 3 mins.... And not at all what I was expecting when driving along mind in neutral.... Hence I reacted...but didn't know what to do. Will know for future...

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Pobblewhohasnotoes · 22/10/2014 10:34

You should have phoned the police straight away! FFS...!

duhgldiuhfdsli · 22/10/2014 10:35

offered to follow her home to make sure she got there safely.

And if she killed someone on the way?

LadyLuck10 · 22/10/2014 10:36

Yanbu! Bloody irresponsible of her.

Beautifulbabyboy · 22/10/2014 10:39

Am at soft play so need to give some attention to my 1 year old!! Will call the community officer at lunch time, when he is asleep.

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