AIBU to think this is a 'reasonable excuse'?

[CoffeeInAnIV]

I live in Wales and tonight at 6pm the fire breaker lockdown comes into place to replace the local lockdown which effectively means you can't travel out of your home town without a reasonable excuse.

I'm disabled and my husband is the driver. He needs to go to the next town over tomorrow to pick up a second hand car for us since ours has died on us. It's being bought from a family friend, not a dealership, and he will need to get a taxi there in order to drive it back.

My dad says this is not a reasonable excuse and if caught, he will be fined. Is this likely do you think? I thought this would be a reasonable excuse as we have three children and need the car. I thought this would be just as reasonable as travelling to work etc. What do you think?

As soon as the new restrictions come in at 6pm the border issue is no longer relevant as it's no more a local lockdown but a nationwide lockdown so leaving your house without a reasonable excuse it technically against the law then.

DH is going to do it and hope for the best. Thank you for all your responses. We're being extremely vigilant about hygiene so this is surely a risk worth taking.

I'd see if it was possible to meet midway somewhere your DH could walk to (thereby avoiding the taxi and perhaps less chance of a fine?). I obviously don't know the area but thinking about where I live, I can walk about 2-3 miles from my house and still be within my 'town', beyond that point you get to the outskirts of the next town along, which is actually about 5 miles from me.

Hope you don't get fined though. I understand the need for restrictions but those being imposed in Wales are draconian :(

Xpost - so you're not even allowed to leave the house, ye gods that is terrible.

Fingers crossed he gets there and back with no bother OP.

[quote WitchQueenofDarkness]@BlankTimes - the new lockdown has replaced the regional ones so boundaries other than the one between Wales and England are no longer relevant.

Goodness only knows what ridiculous ideas he has in mind for end of lockdown. He hasn't said yet.[/quote]
But that's not what the OP has said about her border?!

@CoffeeInAnIV. Personally I think his reason that you need the car due to medical appointments & your disability is 'good reason' & I think they'd have to be heartless to fine you & if you didn't pay I think they'd find enforcing it pretty bloody difficult, as it's so subjective.

Plus 6 miles between your homes is hardly like travelling the length of the country using services on the way.

He should go.

Reasonable. Remember, “reasonable” doesn’t mean “fireproof excuse that everyone would agree with”. It just means at least a fair proportion of rational people would.

I would say that is totally reasonable!!

It's not like he's travelling to go partying. You're a family with a disabled parent and three kids - the car is essential for you. Also him going to pick up a car is a low-risk activity.

X posted with you.

So week 1 you're not allowed to 'leave your house' without a reasonable excuse. But week 2 the children are back at school?

If I've understood that correctly it's fucking nuts!!

He's making Boris look sane & that takes some doing!!

Make sure DH has some wipes for the door handle & steering wheel etc , but you sound like you'll be into that.

Let us know how it goes.

Yep. Week one you can exercise in your local area outdoors and shop only for essentials but otherwise stay in your home and meet nobody, not inside or outside.

Week two both of my older kids are back in school (Y5 and Y8) or else risk a fine and we still can't do any of the above 🙄

It’s absolutely a reasonable reason and falls into the exemptions for providing care for someone.

It sounds totally reasonable given your disabilities. How far is the house from yours?

It's an 18 minute drive and about 8 miles according to the maps app. I've booked a taxi and no questions were asked so as long as he doesn't get stopped, it should be fine. It's kind of right on the border between our city and the neighbouring town.

do you have proof of your disabilities? eg a folder full of your appointment letters... proof of carers allowance, proof of dla/pip etc etc. proof that the old car is broken. blue badge? anything? if so get your husband to take it with him just in case.

or is it just us with folders ful of appointmetn lettters?

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

If you have to 'frame it' as something else, then you know it doesn't really come under this and you're trying it on because you would rather not be inconvenienced by the restrictions.

Hi op,sounds reasonable to me,though you'll always get the Bosworth going by the book.hope it goes ok and you don't get stopped.good luck

Ha!jobsworth!

I agree it's reasonable.

If you get stopped, so what. Just tell the police you'll deal with the matter in court but at the moment you need a car to sort out your medical appointments - unless they undertake to take you to every appointment you need during lockdown - and we all know it will be extended, too. I suspect they will send you on your way.

I very much doubt you will be stopped anyway.

I think you may be issued with a fine but no court would enforce it if you don't pay.

Yes, carers were allowed to do driving tests during lockdown so I think your transport to medical appointments will come under this.

Sounds reasonable to me. Your car has broken down, you’ve already bought a new one, and are going to collect it so that you can care for disabled person / get to shops for essential items etc. The government was clear people could get cars serviced during lockdown, so surely a broken car can be replaced. If challenged by police, explain situation including that ned car for shops, and ask for guidance.

I would however do a fully distanced handover etc.

I have a blue badge as proof of disabilities that DH will be taking with him to collect the car (as it stays in the car). I'll be home with the children so won't be attending with him as we've already paid for the car and insurance, he literally just needs to grab the keys from the owner and drive off their drive back home from the taxi.

Yes, of course do it

If you get fined go to court. Picking up a car you NEED is reasonable

I would. It would cost me £25 one way ina taxi to get to my medical appts. Wales isn't known for it's amazing public transport unless you happen to live in a city. I'd do it and risk the fine if stopped, and I fully intend to stick to lockdown apart from a physio appt.

I agree you should do it and under the circumstances I would say that yes, it’s an essential journey!