Has anyone else had this happen and if so what was the outcome?

[PooleySpooley]

DH has had a letter from the police saying that he may be charged with leaving the scene of an accident without stopping.

He says a few weeks ago he was nearly home and he was driving up the hill, another car was coming down and refused to give way forcing DH to pull in inbetween some parked cars. Both men wound down their windows and a bit of swearing ensued from both sides and DH drove off.

He says that he wasn’t aware of clipping the other guys car but this guy has obviously reported DH to the police. There is no mark whatsoever on DH car.

DH has phoned the copper and he has told DH to fill in the form to confirm he was driving at the time and it will be taken from there (he hasn’t been charged) but might have to go and be interviewed formally.

DH swears he has been honest with me (although had not told me about said incident before the letter came through )

What the actual hell? Surely they have to have some evidence? Rather than one persons word against the other.

I’m a bit worried tbh - has anyone else ever had this happen to them?

No one...?

Yes this happened to my DD last year. She passed another driver on a narrow road and they clipped wing mirrors. My DDs mirror was knocked off but no damage to the other drivers car. DD's BF got out and picked the mirror up and exchanged some words with the other driver who then sped off. Thr BF managed to fix the mirror back on DDs car and didn't think any more of it. DD never said anything to me about what had happened. Weeks later the letter came through. Alleged driving without due care and attention and leaving the scene of an accident without stopping.

DD filled out the form confirming she was the driver and I helped her write a covering letter explaining what had happened. DD has a black box on her car for insurance so I was also able to print out data from the telematics showing the car was stopped for at least four minutes at the scene, disproving the claim for not stopping.

We had an anxious several months wait to see what happened next. The other driver never made a claim against her insurance within the 90 day limit so that was one relief. We subsequently got another letter from the police saying that although they had "sufficient evidence" to take further action, they were dropping the case. I don't believe they had any evidence of wrongdoing at all. It wa the other drivers word against hers. On the final letter it had the name of the other driver. I Googled him and the only person who came up with the same name was a policeman who had been challenged a few years back for shoplifting but lo and behold, there was no evidence and he got off.

Does your son have a black box OP? If so go online and look at the data and see if it shows the car stopped in that street at that time.

I don't see why you're upset that he didn't tell you about this encounter at the time. Nothing happened aside from 2 men yelling at each other for a bit. Your husband just needs to follow through with what he needs to do and get a solicitor if necessary.

I should add, we were terrified because DD had been driving a bit short of 2 years and if she had got 6 or more points (I think it was) it's automatic disqualification for a new driver.

CantWaitToRetire

Thanks - it’s my husband not my son

No he doesn’t have a black box.

He is going to say if there is any damage he is happy to cover any costs - we are worried about it going to court and the cost - and he needs to drive as he works away in the week

Seems really vindictive.

I also think the police have a lot more important things to do with their time

Sorry OP I didn't read the acronyms correctly. I agree very vindictive. There are some real knobs out there. We were also worried that it was someone doing a scam and they were going to try and hit us with a claim for damage to their car that my DD hadn't caused. In our case the copper probably knew the process and wanted to give my DD a scare, or he just hated young female drivers.

I wondered if it was an off duty copper.

OH can also be a bit of a hot head though which is why I grilled him.

Some people are chancers and the damage on their car could have been done after the event. Don’t say anything about what you will pay or won’t pay pay. Just say what happened and leave it at that. Your husband thought no damage had been done and the other driver drove off, don’t start admitting to thing s that’s you had no idea happened?.? Just say what happened.

Toohardtofindaproperusername

Good advice thanks.