Terrible driver on the school run - WIBU to call 101

[biscuitkumquat]

On the school run this morning.

Most morning drivers use the outside lane to try to skip the queuing traffic turning left, then cut back in, not always safely.

This morning, a driver decided to force their way into the too small space in front of my car when the traffic in my lane had started moving, no indicators, just tried to move really quickly & hoped that there would be enough space.

I had to slam the brakes on & do a proper emergency stop or I would have hit them. (Luckily the driver behind me was slightly further back or he would have been in the back of me)

My DC got an awful fright, as did I.

When I got to work, I called 101 to report the incident (took the reg number), and the police are coming to see me tonight to get a report, after which they will, presumably, go to speak with the other driver.

My DH thinks IABU, as they were maybe just running late, and I should have just accepted that no-one was hurt, I should have expected that someone would try to do that, and put it down to experience.

YANBU - People will just continue to be arseholes if never pulled up on it.
I called 101 the other day when I car drove past my house with a small child sitting on the driver's knee! . The guy I spoke to said someone calling round to have a serious chat about their driving 'skills' is often enough of a scare for some to have a bit more thought about what they are doing.

Isn't your DH bothered about the fact that, but for your reactions, you and your DC may have been injured?

YANBU. A call from a Community Support Officer may concentrate the wanker's mind in future.

I think DH thinks the same way as some other Posters, in so far as no-one was injured, people make mistakes & I should just let it go.

I wouldn't have bothered ringing 101 either. These things sometimes happen.

I have however been on the end of Road Rage Woman (RRW for short) after I accidentally cut her up at some lights on unfamiliar road. RRW not only got out her car to have a go at me, but went on to chase me up a 50mph section of dual carriageway, went over the limit to overtake me then slam on her brakes. As we were still heading the same way, RRW then decided to practically park on a roundabout and get out of her car to shout at me some more. My doors were locked and I have to say I was shaking. Never experienced anything like it and that was a genuine mistake and I was indicating.

I just can't see the Police following this up after they've been round to see you.

What's the point? It's not like the driver is going to admit it, and I can't see the Police trawling through any CCTV images that might/might not have caught it.

Without independent witnesses, I think they'd see it as a waste of Police time unfortunately.

This is just the sort of thing Police Community Support Officers are great for.

A bit at the Thread PCSOs having a go at the OP for keeping them in business!

YANBU however I doubt the police will do anything
I had a van hit into the back of me, then scrap my drivers side to get past me to drive off whilst calling me a "fucking slag"
I reported him and they told me there wasn't any evidence, did not even go speak to him

I've made some awful mistakes driving as have we all I suspect. I cut someone up badly once (I didn't even see them) and was shaken up for ages. I'm pretty sure the police won't do anything for poor driving but I've found on occasion they make you think they're following things up and don't bother

I think you may be right. They haven't turned up to take a Statement!

I agree with Glo et al. I regularly drive along a road where this happens and I just expect to see it happening ahead of me and prepare for it. I doubt the police will get involved.

I also couldn't deny having done it myself on occasion, although not to my knowledge in a dangerous fashion. It's quite a steep hill and bigger vehicles take time to get moving from a standstill, leaving a big gap to open in front of them. I view this tactic as 'local knowledge'. (If I don't find a space before the junction, I just turn right and take an alternative route to the next junction). Flame away.

I have also, as I'm sure have others, completely innocently found myself in the wrong lane and had to pull apologetic faces at drivers who studiously ignore you, your car and your indicating.

I drive around a city though. I remember when I moved here, I was astonished at how aggressive the driving was. Now, I think, I'm more like them.

Well they should ask you for the plate no, so they can check the driver is insured, licensed and the vehicle isn't stolen for one.

Just a quick update.

The police came last night & took a statement from me.

Said they would be unable to charge the other driver, because there was only 1 adult statement (mine), and DC was too young to make a statement, however they would be speaking with the driver to let them know that had there been another adult in my car, they would be charging her with Careless Driving.

They also said that the road where this happened was notorious for bad driving, and that, only last week, a 14 year old girl was run over (not seriously hurt) because of this kind of driving.

They thanked me for making them aware, and said that they are looking into measures to try to make it safer.

Thanks for all your replies.

I wonder what would happen in London if I reported every bus driver and taxi driver for pulling out of the bus lane on the left and every car, bus or taxi driver pulling in from the right.

I'm surprised the police are following it up.

Me too, I tried it once when someone tried to kill me by directly slamming on their brakes in front of me on my motorbike & was informed that unless there was video footage and it had caused an incident would they be able to investigate further....

good on you and the boys in blue. This was dangerous driving, no excuse, no reason.

having nearly been killed recently by a lorry driver doing the same thing (and I also called 101 - the bastard was on the phone at the wheel of a massive artic!!) I congratulate you. I hope the cops found our near-murderer.

An ambulance (not in an emergency) did this to me today.

Maybe they were looking for customers?

I should have reported them.

I wouldn't have bothered. Maybe many years ago I would have but I remind myself now that I don't know the reason the person is driving too fast etc. After my first baby was born he was blue lighted in an ambulance from out delivery unit to the royal sick kids hospital 45 mins away with breathing difficulty and needing a heart op. I wasn't allowed to go in the ambulance because there was no room after the neonatal transfer team and the incubator were in. Where we live had no traffic police after midnight to give me an escort so I drove behind the ambulance topping 120 mph at times. You wouldn't believe the amount of people who let the ambulance through then cut in front of me and it was hear wrenching to know my baby was in the back of that ambulance and some twat in an agyo was holding me up. I will never forget that feeling that he was going to die during the operation and I wouldn't make it in time to say goodbye. Thanks to the amazing staff from the NHS he didn't tho and is snoring his wee head off blissfully unaware of the utter gut wrench he put me through at 2 hours old