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AIBU?

To report this driver to the police?

94 replies

FlyRussianUnicorn · 17/03/2016 16:30

Jesus. Just driving back from the supermarket- a journey that should take 5 minutes has taken double.

Old woman driving at 15mph on a 40mph road for no reason what so ever- and slammed on her brakes, again for no reason, twice. Second time I beeped my horn at her, and the car behind beeped at me- she nearly caused us both to crash. Open road, quiet (there were us 3 on the road and I saw 2 going in the other direction while driving)

Refused to overtake a cyclist who ended up pulling over and stopped and gestured at her- then she hesitated for a good 5 seconds before pulling RIGHT out on to the other side of the road to overtake despite the cyclist being right on our side of the road and she could of got past straggling the middle line.

Car was completely bashed in at the back so she has clearly had an accident. Both stopped at our local petrol station but managed to hold my tongue. She must of been mid 80s and could barely walk into the petrol station.

AIBU to report? Surely this driving is just as reckless as severely breaking the speed limit?

OP posts:

Report

Buckinbronco · 17/03/2016 21:38

But what would the police do? It's something that happened in the past, that they didn't see and no crime was committeed as far as we know.

You could report to DVLA of yore really desperate to. Personally I don't think it'll get anywhere but you clearly want to do "something" to feel useful and they'll probably be polite

SirChenjin · 17/03/2016 22:21

Police don't just work retrospectively or where there has been a crime - prevention work is just as important and I'm sure they will be able to advise the OP appropriately.

Buckinbronco · 17/03/2016 22:34

Of course they'll advise. They won't do anything to the driver though which is what she wants

lovestea · 17/03/2016 22:34

Last year my 88 year old FIL gave up his driving license to DVLA after massive pressure from the family due to his failing eyesight - a cataract and macular degeneration.

However, because he is a belligerent sod he continued to drive, unknown to us.

During this time he was done for speeding and instead of getting fixed penalty points he went on a speed awareness course. So, he had no license and his insurance would have been invalid and we now found out he was still driving.
But DVLA and the agency that apply the fixed penalty points/driving awareness seemingly do not talk to each other so he continued to drive. We phoned DVLA to report him. They said phone the police. We phoned the police. They took a report and informed me that it would be 'up to the traffic sergeant' to decide what action would be taken. Nothing happened.

He had a cataract repair just prior to the speed awareness course. He lied to us saying DVLA had approved him to drive again but this was not true as DVLA wrote to his GP for a health report who flagged other health issues that would have disqualified him from driving that we knew nothing about at the time. He continued to drive. I phoned and filled in an email form to Crimestoppers. Nothing happened.

It was only when he was admitted to hospital that we were able to take his car keys rendering him unable to drive.

He was a total liability. We were at our wits end over worrying about how to stop him and the idea that he might cause an accident. But we reported him to every agency we could think of, and nothing was done, and there was no way in the world that he would give his car keys to us. At one stage we even disabled the car, but he just called a garage the next day and rectified our sabotage.
His GP has only now told him that he cannot drive again but it has taken us nine months to get there. Nine months in which he could have killed someone.

maydancer · 17/03/2016 22:38

I am not sure how driving at 15 mph is a crime, some road users eg horses and slow moving vehicles can't go any faster, or perhaps she had something wrong with her car? was she not being slow just becuase she could not get past the cyclist.Also how was her driving 'erratic' slow-yes , but not erratic.If she had been hit from behind, then it is the other drivers fault for running into the back of her.
Finally there is no minimum speed limit on the road.Slow drivers are not dangerous, morons overtaking in dangerous spots are!

SirChenjin · 17/03/2016 22:44

Judging by other pp the police can and do act. Definitely worth a call.

If you're driving that slowly then you're creating an obstruction and the police can pull you over.

maz210 · 17/03/2016 22:49

I think you should report it based on your description of her driving.

However I'd like to point out that inability to walk does not equal inability to drive. I am disabled with back problems that affect my left leg - my right leg works normally and I can drive/brake/emergency stop perfectly. If you saw me walk across a car park you might doubt my competence though as I'm very slow and wobbly when upright, even with a walking stick.

Bunbaker · 17/03/2016 22:52

"I am not sure how driving at 15 mph is a crime"

It isn't a crime, but it is causing an obstruction. It is inconsiderate and if you can't see that then you shouldn't be driving.

When we drove up the A9 in Scotland they had road signs at regular intervals reminding slow drivers to pull in and let the tailback traffic past. They stated that slow drivers cause frustration and lead to accidents.

Do you honestly think that drivers are going to be patient behind a car that is driving that slowly with no apparent reason?

Plomino · 17/03/2016 22:56

Actually slow drivers are dangerous . If they are driving ludicrously slowly , then the drivers behind them invariably get exasperated , and look to overtake in totally inappropriate locations . That's how you get the "I've driven for 50 years and never had an accident " types - who've obviously not looked in their rear view mirror for some years .

Absolutely report it . Police will certainly look into it - they did for one of my neighbours friends , who had their licence removed after she was caught driving not having bothered to clear her windscreen , which was totally covered in ice . Literally couldn't see a thing . Apparently she "forgot" . If you call , at least you've tried . They'll take a reg no and make a log of it , and if it's anything like our force , if it comes to notice again, the previous report should come up too .

Chilver · 17/03/2016 23:02

I have reported someone for dangerous driving seemingly due to age.

I was parked in a supermarket car park; handbrake on, car off with my toddler strapped into her car seat. We were hit by the car reversing out of the bay behind us; hit so hard that our parked car was pushed forward a few feet. I got out to check the damage and to see if the other car was okay.

They were completely oblivious to the fact that they had hit me. An old couple looking confused. When I approached their window (driving so slowly they were still a few feet away from me), they looked completely confused and out of it and just drove off!

I reported them as they seemed to have no idea that they'd hit our car and then acted confused when I (not angrily at all) approached their car. How they didn't feel it is beyond me - I drive a MPV so not a small car - and we were still pushed forward and I was flung forward in my seat.

Chilver · 17/03/2016 23:03

Sorry, forgot to say: police took a statement, asked me what I wanted to do (prosecute, have a conversation with the people or nothing) and I said I wanted someone to talk to them and assess their ability to drive, thats all.

charleybarley · 17/03/2016 23:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Stratter5 · 17/03/2016 23:14

You can fail your driving test for driving too slowly. You are supposed to drive up to the speed limit conditions permitting.

Driving significantly under the limit is dangerous.

zaryiah · 17/03/2016 23:17

"Actually slow drivers are dangerous . If they are driving ludicrously slowly , then the drivers behind them invariably get exasperated , and look to overtake in totally inappropriate locations."

While I agree that slow drivers are a hazard, those who overtake inappropriately are equally as dangerous. Both types of drivers should accept responsibility for their own actions.

Lockheart · 17/03/2016 23:19

Going slowly can be very dangerous. One morning I was on the m27 going to work and up ahead I could see lorries and vans swerving and hazard lights coming on. Some old boy was doing approximately 35. On a major, fast-moving motorway. He was bloody dangerous.

FlyRussianUnicorn · 17/03/2016 23:42

Ive reported. Police are dealing. Thanks everyone

OP posts:

SirChenjin · 18/03/2016 13:42

That's good - well done, you've done her and other road users a massive favour

maydancer · 18/03/2016 22:56

People talk so much bullshit on here.
police are dealing with it
How? your word against theirs? The only way they could be taken off the road is if their licence is revoked on evidence of their GP, or if they are convicted of a serious driving offence which inconsiderate driving isn't and there is no evidence anyway

FlyRussianUnicorn · 18/03/2016 23:08

With all due respect maydancer- I don't remember saying that. If you really insist on knowing- I have a dashcam installed in my vehicle. So yes, if it came to it, I do have evidence.

OP posts:

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 18/03/2016 23:59

People talk so much bull shit on here Well, some more than others eh maydancer? In fact I'd go so far as to say you are the expert

Buckinbronco · 19/03/2016 00:08

May dancer is right. Police aren't doing a thing. And thank god, who'd want to live in a country where you could lose your driving license based on a phone call?

FlyRussianUnicorn · 19/03/2016 00:10

Is anyone sad enough to cone and try and cause an argument at 00.10 on Saturday morning?

The answer is apparantly, yes 😑

OP posts:

Buckinbronco · 19/03/2016 00:12

What are you on about?

FlyRussianUnicorn · 19/03/2016 00:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Buckinbronco · 19/03/2016 00:17

Well aren't you a barrel of laughs. You obviously don't understand Internet forums. Have a read up before you post next.

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