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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driver caused me to emergency stop and just drove off!

319 replies

MamaMoose1 · 28/02/2017 13:31

Hi,
I've just returned from going out with my 20 month old daughter in the car. Whilst driving along a road, a learner driver pulled out in front of me, causing me to emergency stop, the driver just carried on and swiftly drove away. Am I being unreasonable to be shocked that the driving instructor in charge didn't get out to see if we were ok, or even awknowledge what had happened. We are ok and I have his reg no.
Thanks!

OP posts:
EduCated · 28/02/2017 20:51

OP it's unpleasant, but emergency braking is an essential part of driving, and a way to stop safely when needed.

You stopped safely.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 28/02/2017 20:56

yes maybe he didn't need to get out of the car, but a hand up to acknowledge wouldn't have gone amiss

The thing with this is that although a hand up to acknowledge you shouldn't have pulled out may seem like nothing to an experienced driver but actually when you are a very new, anxious learner it's adding another distraction (and actually most instructors tell.you not to do it as you are not supposed to in your test). If they have pulled out and fucked it up they may be panicking a bit and be a bit shook up themselves and adding an apologetic wave will likely make them more flustered. You really have to make allowances here for the fact that it is a learner driver, for all you know they might have been in their very first lesson.

pictish · 28/02/2017 21:06

Ah...OP you must have one of the alternative Highway Codes...the Psychic Edition.

Julju · 28/02/2017 21:11

OP, if there was a clear view of the road ahead then you presumably saw the learner driver (hazard perception) and rather than looking at your speedo (to be sure you were doing 28mph) you were slowing down and preparing to stop in anticipation of the learner doing something you don't expect (as per rule 217 of the Highway Code).

In actual fact the instructor probably told the learner that had you been paying more attention you wouldn't have had to perform an emergency stop at all

kookiecookie3 · 28/02/2017 21:28

They may just had not seen you??? Did you beep your horn to make them aware?

Original poster
MamaMoose1 · 28/02/2017 21:28

There was something online where a woman caused the car to emergency stop behind her, resulting in one of the people getting whiplash, she drove off, as she saw there was no damage and was taken to court and had to pay £2,000, as she in theory left the scene of an accident. The instructor should have used his dual controls and it was lack of awareness on his part, that's what they're used for.

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaMoose1 · 28/02/2017 21:32

Julju-There were cars parked on the left hand side, so no I couldn't see the learner driver indicating, until
I was closer and he just pulled out, it all happened really fast. Yes I beeped and he knew, as I was close to the car.

OP posts:
Happylandpirate · 28/02/2017 21:37

In your scenario above there was a collision, no damage caused but both cars hit each other, touched each other etc.... therefore yes you are leaving the scene of an collision even if there is no damage. You managed to avoid a collision, so therefore no laws broken and you would not be able to claim for whiplash in a case of a bear miss, well I suppose in this day and age of where there's blame there's a claim possible solicitor may take your case on but the police would not get involved at all and there would be no prosecution.

Whisky2014 · 28/02/2017 21:38

You are wrong OP.

prenomchange · 28/02/2017 21:38

OP I may say YANBU if it was a regular driver. But this was a learner. They're learning. Obviously you saw the L. You can't seriously hold learners to the same standard as those who have their license?

And where did you learn? Did you not make one single mistake ever during your lessons?

Perhaps the instructor didn't wave to you because they were too busy instructing the learner on what to do/not to do - or calming them down if they were panicking.

I honestly don't get the issue (although get it could have left you a bit shaken up because your nearly 2 year old was in the car with you).

YABU

And nobody has been bullying you. It's just that you posted in a busy board and then went away and due to the nature of your post, most people who responded happened to be in agreement. You then read lots of replies saying the same thing - and as a normal person, do t like to hear you're wrong.

Original poster
MamaMoose1 · 28/02/2017 21:39

Julji-Are you saying we should be in control of learner drivers and we need to be their eyes? If the instructor was any good, he would have double checked it was clear and used his dual controls as necessary. It's not the drivers position to control someone else's lack of awareness. So if someone pulls out infront of you, you should have known that they were going to do that, off course not, that's ridiculous!

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 28/02/2017 21:40

Are you going to answer the question about how long you've been driving op?

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 28/02/2017 21:43

There was something online where a woman caused the car to emergency stop behind her, resulting in one of the people getting whiplash, she drove off, as she saw there was no damage and was taken to court and had to pay £2,000, as she in theory left the scene of an accident.

There was a collision hence 'no damage'.

Am emergency stop does not equal a collision.

It is not illegal to not stop after an emergency stop if there is no accident!!!

DontTouchTheMoustache · 28/02/2017 21:44

Op I don't for a.second. agree that it is illegal to drive off after someone behind you has to perform an emergency stop. But even of it was, why proof would you have? If you reported them and their was no collision? Do.you think anyone would take it seriously? Even if you did get whiplash.

Whisky2014 · 28/02/2017 21:44

Lol!!

DontTouchTheMoustache · 28/02/2017 21:44

*there

Original poster
MamaMoose1 · 28/02/2017 21:45

Prenom-The car was parked to the left hand side where there were other cars, the road beared left, it wasn't easy to see what the cars were doing on the left hand side, as I was driving and looking ahead. Are you basically saying it's the drivers faults, if a car pulls out infront of another car? So if a car pulls out infront of you, it's your fault, as you were unable to predict what there next move might be. It clearly was bullying, as others had mentioned it too.

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 28/02/2017 21:46

Perhaps the learner did not see you and it all happened really fast for them too - drivers make mistakes, children/animals run out, etc etc and that is why drivers are taught how to bring a car quickly and safely to a stop. To be honest whenever I have seriously had to slam on the brakes I have never had time to think and beep the horn.

TheCatsMother99 · 28/02/2017 21:48

I'm guessing the op hasn't been driving long.

OP- YABU but I'm guessing you now know that. I also think YABU to call everyone here bitching women. I disagree and also don't think people were bullying you, I also I think you need to remember that not every mumsnet user is a woman.

Northernlurker · 28/02/2017 21:49

You cannot control the behaviour of other drivers. You can try to anticipate, you can manage your own speed, you can react to possible hazards. By stopping safely albeit sharply you did what was needed. You don't get special kudos for that and the other driver isn't going to be lynched for their mistake. You are making far, far too much of this.

If you remain convinced a crime took place please do call the police. They may get through to you where we are failing to do so.

Oysterbabe · 28/02/2017 21:51

What purpose would them stopping have served? Nothing happened. You had to brake sharply, so what?

EduCated · 28/02/2017 21:52

You do have to have a level of anticipation that something unexpected may happen. That's the purpose of the hazard perception.

You were able to stop. This is a bit of a non-issue.

AwaywiththePixies27 · 28/02/2017 21:53

How do you know the instructor didn't use his controls? Confused

I had to make an emergency stop when learning to drive. Well I said I, my instructor slammed the brakes on before I'd managed to plough into the oncoming bus even realised. We'd been practicing in an industrial estate for weeks and I was extremely nervous at being out on a 'proper' road.

I understand you've had a fright and had your baby in the car but I can't see what you are expecting to achieve with a reg number. YABU for calling a bunch of strangers on Mumsnet bitches and bullies just because they disagreed with you though.

EduCated · 28/02/2017 21:53

Northernlurker is, as ever, speaking a lot of sense.

SelfObsessionHoney · 28/02/2017 21:54

Mate just give it up.

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