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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Think I might've done a hit & run I'm scared!!

135 replies

helloitsme12345 · 29/01/2016 09:37

I'm a new driver and haven't been insured for long. I was driving past a car in a tight space in 2nd gear and all of a sudden i heard a sound to which I didn't pay much attention and I drove off. I looked back and the car had stopped, as I was in a hurry as I was doing school run I drove off and I later realised my wing mirror had been hit and it had been damaged. After I had dropped the kids to school which took about 5 mins maybe less I went back to that road hoping to see the car but it had gone. I'm quite worried the person might've taken my reg number and might make a claim! I've only been insured for less than a month so I'm quite worried. I really don't know what I should do, any tips?

OP posts:
HumptyDumptyHadaHardTime · 29/01/2016 11:55

People wouldn't do it IRl no. They just like being keyboard warriors

Actually yes they would!

I do know of someone that was prosecuted for not doing so.

Failing to stop at the scene of a crime is a criminal offence.

Potentially 6 points on the licence of the OP is a big deal as only been driving for weeks.

NerrSnerr · 29/01/2016 11:58

Adele do you realise that if the other person reports to the police and the op doesn't she could get 6 points. As a new driver that means she will lose her licence?

Bubblesinthesummer · 29/01/2016 12:01

People are being a lot harder on this lady than the one in the similar thread about someone hitting a wing mirror and driving off called I Am Shaking With Worry - Did Something Soooo Stupid.

That is a zombie thread and is over 3 years old.

Just wondering why some of you are being so harsh. She's a new driver for goodness sake.

The driver on that thread had been driving for over 20 years.

As a new driver for the OP 6 points is a real issue.

CheesyWeez · 29/01/2016 12:01

Exactly right BoffinMum!

OP in your place I might ring 101, and ask their advice.

But I'd not tell my insurance as they'd only put the price up and if it came to it and you found the other people, you could just pay for their new mirror.

ewbank · 29/01/2016 12:02

Oh I'm evidently a Bad Person.

No way would I bother with the police for this. I'd keep my fingers crossed nothing happened and then if it turned out she'd taken my reg plate I'd say "oh really, I had no idea!"

I'm probably going to hell... hey ho.

Funinthesun15 · 29/01/2016 12:04

Adele do you realise that if the other person reports to the police and the op doesn't she could get 6 points. As a new driver that means she will lose her licence?

This.

hmcAsWas · 29/01/2016 12:04

Not a bad person ewbank but clearly a foolish one

ewbank · 29/01/2016 12:08

I can live with that Grin

recyclingbag · 29/01/2016 12:13

I can see why you didn't stop - it was a bad decision in a split second.

You are probably fine and nothing will come of it. However, you do need to report it to the police because, if they have taken your number down, the police may follow it up.

It's nothing to worry about though, just go down to the police station and explain what happened.

The reason why you have 24 hours to report it is that they realise that this reaction is very common!

Baressentials · 29/01/2016 12:14

I clipped a wing mirror off a car a couple of years ago. The dc were arguing in the back, we were late for ds1s football, I was trying to find a parking space. I stopped about 1/2 mile up the road and the owner was fuming! Think it was because he thought I wasn't going to stop. I apologised profusely. Gave him my insurance details. We talked and he accepted £30 from me and sent me a text confirming we had sorted the matter between ourselves. Should I still have told my insurance company? I thought we had (him especially being the injured party) had sorted it quite reasonably.

Op report what happened to the police. I think you will be fine but if you don't report and they did get your number you need to show it was an error.
Oh and I don't believe no-one has ever made a misjudgement whilst driving. Especially as a new driver. Learn from it and move on.

Fuzzyduck21 · 29/01/2016 12:22

I think people are being a bit mean but hey it is aibu....

Don't worry, yes you should have stopped but you didn't so no point dwelling. Do the right thing now and call 101 just in case. Then have a cup of tea. If you dinged another car it is not the end of the world..they will be pissed off but no one has been hurt (as far as I'm aware) x

ValiantMouse · 29/01/2016 12:37

I hit the car in front of me at a roundabout a few years ago and never reported it to the police. Neither did the diver of the other car.

Eminado · 29/01/2016 12:42

Fuzzyduck

I am not really seeing the meanness to be honest.

People are saying that she should have stopped and should do so if there is a next time, and that she should report ASAP so there is no come back on her.

How is that mean?

She knows she should have stopped!

Adeleslostbeehive · 29/01/2016 12:43

If, could, might, IRl people risk assess the likely hood of this happening against the downside (increased insurance premiums) good for you if
You know some who lost their license for not reporting a clipped wing mirror. I know people who have had nothing happen to them for far more serious incidents. Means not a thing.

MaisyMooMoo · 29/01/2016 12:46

If both cars were moving then you are both equally responsible for what has happened. I personally wouldnt take the matter further, if it came down to it you could argue you hadn't realised you'd pranged the other vehicle/the other vehicle had pranged you, and only when you had realised it was too late.

If the other vehicle is undamaged I doubt they'd appreciate you reporting it as they've be part responsible for the damage to your vehicle.

I think you know what you have to do in future and that's to stop and deal with the situation immediately.

I really don't think the police would be interested in this, not unless the other driver had reported it because of injury.

shovetheholly · 29/01/2016 12:47

I think what people are missing is the fact that the OP realised there was some kind of confusion going on, but only later realised that she might have been involved on seeing the damage to her wing mirror. I.e. The recognition of the accident was belated. That is NOT a straightforward hit and run, which is where someone is very conscious of the damage at the time and drives off anyway.

It is actually quite easy to do this in a busy street. I've seen a bus driver really clip a car's wing mirror and the driver was blithely and genuinely unaware. (I could see his face, and he honestly didn't know he'd done it! I stopped and gave the driver my number as a witness).

It is especially easy when you are a new driver, because really you are still learning and processing everything that is going on is so difficult, particularly if you're also dealing with children etc.

OP: you really didn't do this intentionally, so there's no need to feel bad. Just do the right thing and ring the police and insurers. And have a big cuppa - these things make you feel really shaken up! Brew

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 29/01/2016 12:50

So OP have you rung 101 yet?

Do the right thing.

Sallyingforth · 29/01/2016 12:52

I don't think anyone here is beating up the OP.

New drivers do have accidents - after all that's why the accident premiums are so high. As my instructor said when I passed the test, the licence doesn't mean you are a good driver - it means you are safe enough to go out and gain experience.
I don't criticise the OP for her accident - she has learned something from it. But she does need to report it.

Drew64 · 29/01/2016 13:07

As others have said, its a criminal offence not to stop if you have had an accident.
As you have only just passed you test you should know this!
I wonder what you actually learnt and how you passed your test to be honest.
Have you any idea how expensive a new wing mirror is on a modern car?
I hope you get reported and are taught a lesson!

HelloCanYouHearMe · 29/01/2016 13:13

OP, because you didnt stop at the time just phone 101 or pop in to your local police station. They'll take your details and if the other person reports, they'll take it from there. If they dont, nothing will happen.

You dont have to inform your insurance company - only if you want to claim. If you call your insurance company and nothing comes of it, your premium will go up. (I reversed into a post the other day and cracked a light. I did not tell my insurance company as im paying for the repair myself)

If you should ever be in the position of having another accident, you must stop. But you only need to call the police if someone has been injured or if there is a car blocking the road. You do not have to call to report a minor scrape where no one has been hurt.

Papergirl1968 · 29/01/2016 13:19

Oh come on Drew64! What's it like up there on the moral high ground?
People have overreacted here. Those suggesting the op shouldn't be driving, those who think she needs to take an advanced driving course, and the poster who stated that next time she should "just stop the bloody car few" to name a few. I was 19 when I passed my test and a complete nervous wreck for the first few months. Couldn't even reverse the darned car. Nearly 30 years on I consider myself a good driver but I still make mistakes - a few weeks ago I rammed into the back of another car.
Someone drove into me on a car park some years ago and caused a lot of damage but didn't leave their details and that did make me very angry as it had to come off my insurance. But this is a clipped wing mirror and I just think some people need to get a grip and remember back to when they'd just passed their test. The op is hopefully going to sort it and has learned from it. Jeez people, get a life.

Papergirl1968 · 29/01/2016 13:21

Meant to say the poster who said to "just stop the bloody car ffs" - stupid spell check.

ValiantMouse · 29/01/2016 13:23

I had no idea of the laws surrounding driving when I passed my test, because apart from the rules of the road, I was never taught them. I had to find them out on my own.

Driving instructors teach you to drive and not the law.

Drew64 · 29/01/2016 13:24

So if nothing comes of this some innocent motorist is left with a big bill for a new wing mirror.
I'm not being moral, I'm being realistic. I wouldn't want the bill.

What is she had hit a small child with her wing mirror rather than another car?

They are not cat's whiskers to judge a gap you know!

Adeleslostbeehive · 29/01/2016 13:28

How do you know there is a bill for a new wing mirror? Op doesn't know what happened!

I doubt someone who kept schtum about a wing mirror would see absolutely no difference between that and knocking down a person. Honestly.

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