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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu for removing tyre caps (PARKING THREAD!)

364 replies

JackieakaBritney · 30/05/2021 23:53

Background, live in converted 3 flat house for 6 years odd, we are attic flat.

Been here since 2015, bought car 2017, previous neighbour had a defunct car on drive which he moved when he moved out late 2017

Since then I've parked my car on drive at least overnights, during day (pre Covid) was parked at my work, insurance detailed the same.

However since beginning of 2020 we have had two different neighbours move in on the middle floor flat and ground floor flat. Neither of the houses moved in with an existing car

Since the two flats have moved in, there has been an constant influx of visitors (particularly during lockdown) but also pretty much every weekend and these visitors decide to block me in, over a dropped curb. It's not the
Same car each time, it's a rotation of 4 or 5 different ones?

I ignored it to the best of my ability during lockdown as we weren't supposed to really go anywhere but then why is ok for them to block my car in?

Then when restrictions eased my husband put a note on one of the cars saying "illegal to park on dropped curb/driveway. Park somewhere else." This was ignored
The next time a car blocked me in by a visitors there was a note saying.

"If I've blocked you in call...."

Tonight I've come home and I'm blocked in again. Tbh I've kinda lost my rag and taken off two of the tyre aircaps. Aibu??

I am sick to death of worrying about asking neighbours To move their visitors cars during the last year especially when I might need it in an emergency etc and they have been asked for their friends/visotors not block me in previously?

OP posts:
AlwaysLatte · 31/05/2021 02:47

What they're doing is not on at all, but it's somewhat diluted by your taking the tyre caps in retaliation. Also they might escalate it further as it's pretty obvious who would have done it. I'd be knocking on their door at 3am to ask them to move it as you have to go out urgently. A complete pain but I reckon just once it twice of them being woken up will make them think again.

SkodaKodiaq · 31/05/2021 02:49

@CharlotteRose90 You have been reported for the vile name calling. There's no need for bullying - grow up!

SkodaKodiaq · 31/05/2021 02:50

@Frannibananni

Tbh I would probably cut the tyre valve. Each and every time they park there.
Me too!
1forAll74 · 31/05/2021 02:51

What do you hope to achieve by fiddling with peoples tyre caps.Do you think their car tyres will go flat,and then the cars will still block your drive !

SkodaKodiaq · 31/05/2021 02:51

@youvegottenminuteslynn

What did you think removing the tyre caps would do?

If nothing dangerous, why do it?

If something dangerous, why do it?

Genuine questions as I'm having difficulty understanding your motivation.

Either way, you've broken the law I think...

I can't believe you've actually gone to the lengths of searching documents online!? HmmJust to further pile on OP! Appalling behaviour
Abouttoblow · 31/05/2021 02:53

Those caps don't hold the air in the tyres, for all you pearl clutching "you're going to cause a pile up on the motorway" crowd. Please hand your driving licences back to the DVLA at your earliest convenience. FFS

safariboot · 31/05/2021 03:25

Don't mess with people's cars, it's a danger to other innocent motorists.

I had my wipers stolen once. Whether by someone who took offence to my parking or just by a plain old thief I'll never know, but it was only luck that the rain started before my drive home and not during it.

thedogtookit · 31/05/2021 03:42

Marvellous thread. Surely shaving foam was the way to go op?

Siepie · 31/05/2021 03:44

@youvegottenminuteslynn

What did you think removing the tyre caps would do?

If nothing dangerous, why do it?

If something dangerous, why do it?

Genuine questions as I'm having difficulty understanding your motivation.

Either way, you've broken the law I think...

This.

They'll probably not notice, so if it's not dangerous it's pointless.

If it is dangerous, are you really so angry you want to hurt them?

They'll have no way to connect it to your parking space anyway, so it won't change your problem.

Luzina · 31/05/2021 03:46

You could park across the driveway entrance. They won’t be able to block you in then. Or just go and knock on neighbour’s door to ask them to move the car. Every single time they do it

Furries · 31/05/2021 03:55

Blimey OP, your posts are quite ranty!

I understand how annoying the situation is, but doing this really isn’t a good idea.

Not the ideal answer, but sounds like they’re not going to change their behaviour - so could you maybe park across your dropped kerb? It would at least mean that you’re not blocked in when you need to go out.

arcof · 31/05/2021 03:56

So if they have a fatal accident as a result, will you feel they got their just desserts? Would it be worth them losing life or being injured because you're annoyed? If not, calm down and go and leave a note and put them back on.

You may potentially be justified in being annoyed. But your actions don't actually solve your problem nor are they proportionate to the issue at hand, and are probably illegal.

ThatSchoolOfficeLady · 31/05/2021 04:06

This. Block the drive yourself whether or not they have visitors parked on it.

SoupDragon · 31/05/2021 04:08

@mybrainhertz

Tyre caps help to maintain tyre pressures. Did anyone even read the links?

Tyre pressure keeps the tyre inflated. That's kind of important and is a safety feature.

I read the links. They say the dust caps keep dust out. They don't say removing them will cause the tyre to deflate and cause an accident. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I mean, removing them is a twattish thing to do but it isn't going to cause an accident.

FakingMemories · 31/05/2021 04:09

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

CrazyCatsAndKittens · 31/05/2021 04:16

They probably won't even notice they have gone. Confused

You can probably order some stickers from Amazon that you can stick on their windshields. They are difficult to remove and some look really scary and official. It will probably be more effective.

FakingMemories · 31/05/2021 04:21

Has it ever occurred to you that they might be there for an emergency? All this “what if I have to leave in an emergency?” when that might be the emergency. And if you’re that bothered about not being able to leave in an emergency why would you something that you (erroneously) believed would stop them from being able to move their car? You’re an idiot.

Furries · 31/05/2021 04:27

@FakingMemories

Has it ever occurred to you that they might be there for an emergency? All this “what if I have to leave in an emergency?” when that might be the emergency. And if you’re that bothered about not being able to leave in an emergency why would you something that you (erroneously) believed would stop them from being able to move their car? You’re an idiot.
No, they’re just probably self-entitled idiots. Most normal people, even in an emergency, have a vague understanding of where to stop/park a vehicle.

The only exception for potentially blocking someone in is for an emergency services vehicle.

HoppingPavlova · 31/05/2021 04:27

I’m not convinced those caps do anything. In several decades if driving if mine have become dislodged/lost/stolen (never thought of that but now I guess that’s a possibility), I’ve never replaced them. Tyres without them have never deflated at a greater rate than tyres with them so Hmm.

AdultHumanFemale77777 · 31/05/2021 04:38

lol fucking hell OP. hope you're suitably embarrassed coming back here in the morning! bet your neighbours have seen this post by now too.

Aprilx · 31/05/2021 04:43

@JackieakaBritney

How am I hogging the driveway when I LIVE here and the people blocking me in dont? Please elaborate
You are not the only person that lives there. You are hogging the drive because you think it is yours. I have a drive and if I want my family and friends to be able to park on it, I should be allowed to let that happen.

You are an idiot, a dangerous, vindictive idiot.

Embracingthechaos · 31/05/2021 05:13

Removing the tyre caps won't do much at all. If It we're my driveway being blocked by a neighbours car after I'd repeatedly asked them not to, I would probably be dumping out the contents of my cat's litter tray all over their car windscreen and door handles, if I'm being honest. I know it's not the mature thing to do but it is ridiculous that there is no real comeback for people blocking your drive. They always get away with it and it's extremely unfair and could be really serious in an emergency.

However, I don't think it's a clear cut in your case. It's a shared driveway between 3 different homes, so it isn't just yours, and the people blocking you in are the other people who share the driveway (I know they are visitors of your neighbours but that still counts). So I would cool it with the vandalism and just go and speak to them. Try and come up with a way to use the driveway - which you all equally own - that is fair.

NiceTwin · 31/05/2021 05:16

If you have need to go out, the offending parker is in your building somewhere.
Knock on and ask them to move.
If you don't need to go out, what is the problem?

Is the use of the driveway in your deeds, or have you just assumed you have rights for it over the neighbours?

MangosteenSoda · 31/05/2021 05:17

Put them back on. It’s frankly a batshit way to deal with your (very valid) frustration.

In the future steel yourself to knock on their doors every single time and get them to move.

I don’t get why loads of pps think you shouldn’t park on the drive though. Also batshit. You come home, drive empty, obvs park on it. You come home, drive full, park on the road. Do people really think you should just park on it 2.3333 times a week because you’re in a block of 3?

JellyTumble · 31/05/2021 05:26

No, it’s not okay for them to block you in. Nobody is saying it is.

But YABVU and the solution is absolutely not to damage their car and take moves which can lead to them having a significantly dangerous accident.

Don’t you care that this could not only kill them, but anyone their car might crash into as a result of this too?

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