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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you don't drive with a cup of tea in between your legs?

32 replies

Narnia72 · 27/01/2019 16:40

My DH is lovely, but sometimes makes decisions that baffle me.

He's just told me that he drives to work with his tea in a mug between his legs.

When I told him in no uncertain terms what an idiotic and dangerous thing this was to do, he said I was making a ridiculous fuss and it was lukewarm so wouldn't be a problem.

Full disclaimer, he has a travel mug in the cup holderwhich is full of his second cup of tea.

He is normally sensible and very H&S conscious. (Needs to be because of his job)

He's pretty intelligent in most walks of life.

It causes a massive row as I genuinely couldn't believe anyone would think was safe or sensible.

So AIBU? His response was so baffling I am doubting myself.

OP posts:
MissMarplesKnitting · 27/01/2019 16:42

People are legally allowed to drive with a burning hot fag in the car so.....maybe not?

I have a cuppa but I use a covered cup like others and the cup holder.

AGoodMandarin · 27/01/2019 16:45

NO. my friend did this on the motorway. He dropped it, it rolled under the pedals. He bent down to pick it up as he couldn’t drive. He hit the central reservation of the motorway and almost died.

MissMarplesKnitting · 27/01/2019 16:48

So why is a little fag with hot ash and also huge burning/crash potential allowed?

I agree it's wrong but why is one ok and not the other?

Madness

Sparklesocks · 27/01/2019 16:49

No super dangerous, if it spilled and burned him he might a sudden reaction and cause an accident

ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2019 17:01

If he won't back down on safety grounds, maybe point out how much of an idiot he'll look when the inevitable spill happens and he has to go into work with a soaked crotch.

Original poster
Narnia72 · 27/01/2019 17:29

Mandarin, that's the kind of things I'm scared of happening. If you have to break suddenly and the mug flies forward it could be really dangerous.

I know cigarettes are also dangerous, but it was more the unsecured breakable vessel of liquid that seemed like a really terrible idea. And even if the tea isn't hot enough to burn, it would cause a shock.

He is sometimes lacking in basic common sense...

I'm going to buy him a second travel mug and that will be slightly safer (if he puts it in the holder 😂)

OP posts:
MorningsEleven · 27/01/2019 17:32

He's living life on the edge 😂

Returnofthesmileybar · 27/01/2019 17:34

My neighbour does this every morning, I see her off out with her china cup of tea. Definitely not safe

trilbydoll · 27/01/2019 17:36

I had a mcflurry in my lap once and ended up covered in ice cream because I had to brake. If nothing else it's potentially a tragic waste of tea!

Rockbird · 27/01/2019 17:39

Your average car has two cup holders at the front yes? So why not a second travel mug in the other one instead of dicing with danger like this?

SerenDippitty · 27/01/2019 17:39

I’m sure I read thateating or drinking g while driving is driving without due care and attention and an offence.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2019 17:39

I remember reading about a spectacular land rover crash caused by something rolling under a pedal ... probably squashable reusable takeout type cup is safer if he must drink and drive.

I'm a tea addict but really, it's not worth risking a damp crotch let alone injury to yourself and maybe others for a cup of lukewarm tea. He should just get up a few minutes early and have it before he leaves the house.

JSmitty · 27/01/2019 17:41

A cautionary tale:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restaurants

ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2019 17:41

I’m sure I read thateating or drinking g while driving is driving without due care and attention and an offence.

I read something the other day - it's more that eating or drinking while driving ok but only if it doesn't cause you to drive without due care and attention.

Ariela · 27/01/2019 17:41

The best travel mugs are these, they hold almost 2 mugs worth and stay super hot all day:
www.robertdyas.co.uk/thermos-king-travel-tumbler-re

SerenDippitty · 27/01/2019 17:42

Errolthe Dragon you are right not technically illegal but could stil land you with three points and a £100 fine.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2019 17:45

Yes - it's the 'if' in that! Reality is that accidents happen because of momentary lapses so it's best to minimise the chance of these happening in foreseeable ways.

HildaZelda · 27/01/2019 17:51

OP, I think you may have married my ex! He used to do that constantly. The fact that he was drinking about 15 cups a day and putting 3 sugars in each didn't help matters either, but that's another story.

LynetteScavo · 27/01/2019 21:39

I do this. I can emergency stop no problem with a travel mug between my thighs (my legs don't fly apart when I break!). I'm proper wild, me.

GruciusMalfoy · 27/01/2019 21:46

It's stupid. If it were to fall and roll behind a pedal he and others around him could be hurt.

Junkmail · 27/01/2019 22:40

I do this but at least I use a travel mug!! What if he corners too fast and sloshed it everywhere? Shock I once left my travel mug accidentally on the dash when I was waiting at a slow roundabout. I forgot about it until it was time to move and had to pull out rather quick to enter the lane. The mug slid across the dash as I cornered and slammed against the passenger window—hot tea explosion! My car weirdly has no cup holders so these are the risks I take 😂

BedraggledBlitz · 27/01/2019 22:46

Danger aside, how come he doesn't get sloshed with tea?

planespotting · 28/01/2019 06:12

OP this is how I roll
Sealed leakproof thermos in bag and in the boot for second drink
Insulated coffee mug with lid on the holder.
Maybe get him a thermos he can close and then he can have two drinks no dangers

JasperKarat · 28/01/2019 06:34

DH used to do this, I for him a contiguous travel mug, little bit more expensive than a standard one but lockable and leak proof, you can throw it in a bag ) on the passenger seat and it still doesn't leak and it keeps drinks hot for ages. It was enough of a novelty/gadget to keep the mugs in the house, especially good for that second cup of tea ...

JasperKarat · 28/01/2019 06:36

I got him a contigo travel mug ..