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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Woman threw water at me

396 replies

ijustheartdietcoke · 04/03/2017 21:45

I was cycling and came to some trafficlights. A woman was looking at her phone so I banged on her window and shouted get off your phone. She tried to throw water at me and drove off, would police be interested?

OP posts:
MuseumOfCurry · 04/03/2017 22:26

So museum is it ok for everyone else to pick and choose the laws they obey?

I suspect most people probably do. Try telling someone who smokes pot that they shouldn't because it's illegal.

LegosAndSkiing · 04/03/2017 22:26

I get the feeling OP is not for real and just banging on MN window....

Me too, she's just probably bored at home!

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:27

Tbf mac you could say that about a lot of what the police deal with. But, it is within their remit, more so than a lot of reports.
Doesn't mean it would take much time or resources to deal with, but technically laws have been broken so.

Userone1 · 04/03/2017 22:27

Apparently is legal to give children of 5 alcohol at home. I like to think we use common sense and not give them a large brandy!

Squills · 04/03/2017 22:28

It hit me a bit not loads but went in my face. I happen to take public saftey very seriously!!

You are ridiculous... it was a slight spray of water and in my view you deserved it. If you go round banging someone's car and shouting at them then you need to expect them to retaliate - you're lucky it was only water. Mind your own bloody business!

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2017 22:28

The driver probably thought they were being carjacked or something.

Gabilan · 04/03/2017 22:29

YABU banging on her window, she was stationary, looking at her phone was dangerous how (I quite often use my phone as sat nav and check ahead at long lights)?

Then you're breaking the law. You're in charge of the vehicle and a lot can happen whilst you're sitting at traffic lights in terms of other vehicles and people moving around you. If the lights change and then you just drop the phone and move off, in all likelihood you'll do so without making proper checks. People really need to get it into their thick heads that you shouldn't use phones whilst driving and that includes being at traffic lights. The majority of accidents happen at junctions, try concentrating when you're operating dangerous machinery.

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:30

The driver probably thought they were being carjacked or something.
So they wound down the window and squirmed water at them??

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:31

*squinted even

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:31

*squirted!!

Zampa · 04/03/2017 22:31

Boney A selection of comments up-thread which appear, to me, to be defending the driver ...

"Public safety is hardly at risk when she is not moving".

"But as she was stationary she wasn't likely to cause an accident".

"Jesus Christ. Her car wasn't moving".

Personally, I think politely pointing out the errors made by a driver are adequate, especially when accompanied by camera footage. The only time I think banging on a car is remotely excusable is following a near miss, when the adrenaline is pumping and you're angry and scared.

Userone1 · 04/03/2017 22:31

OP is now sitting back and laughing at people getting their water bottles in a twist!

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2017 22:32

No idea Sweets I wasn't there and there's some dispute about the water spray. But it would not be unreasonable to think somebody might try to get in.

cheeeeselover · 04/03/2017 22:32

It was op that probably squinted and squirmed after that water! Grin

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:34

Of all the rubbish attempts at defending yourself against car jacking winding down the window to squint, squirm or squirt water at someone has got to be right up there!

kierenthecommunity · 04/03/2017 22:34

So if I was stopped in a traffic jam and couldn't pull over to park because already at standstill I couldn't use my phone to call someone to pick up my dc from school?

well, no, you couldn't. just because it inconveniences you doesn't mean it's some how less illegal.

it's definitely dangerous to be looking at a phone while stationary, I'm stunned how many people think it isn't. while you're distracted anything could happen, there could be a cyclist/pedestrian in your blind spot, a car ahead could have stalled, and you may not have your full wits about you when setting off again

having said that though, I still wouldn't be banging on someone's window to remonstrate with them personally (well unless I was working when I'm allowed to Grin )

SoleBizzz · 04/03/2017 22:34

You're not in charge of your bicycle or what is going around you if you're looking at a car driver using her phone and banging on the window. You're not the Police. You shouldn't be on the road with your temper. Next time the driver could have a knife ir a gun!!

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:35

My phone doesn't accept squirt as a word, it takes a lot of telling to let that word through.

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:36

just because it inconveniences you doesn't mean it's some how less illegal.
Sums it up well!

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2017 22:38

Exactly SoleBizz there are some proper weird people about why risk it, it could have been worse than getting a drop of water next time.

BillSykesDog · 04/03/2017 22:40

You certainly wouldn't have your full wits about you after someone banged on your window and yelled at you. The OP didn't stop a dangerous situation, she created a more dangerous one.

MuseumOfCurry · 04/03/2017 22:41

it's definitely dangerous to be looking at a phone while stationary, I'm stunned how many people think it isn't. while you're distracted anything could happen, there could be a cyclist/pedestrian in your blind spot, a car ahead could have stalled, and you may not have your full wits about you when setting off again

Do you think it's dangerous to maintain conversation with your passenger at a red light?

Userone1 · 04/03/2017 22:41

Lol we have now gone from water barely touching the OP face, to getting stabbed or shot in the face!

I love MN!

Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2017 22:42

Where is the OP anyway? So many unanswered questions. Have they gone off to patrol the streets overnight or something? Grin

Sweets101 · 04/03/2017 22:43

Having a conversation with a passenger is different, but more importantly impossible to police. Which is probably why it also isn't illegal.