Child playing chicken with my car

[Siite]

I've started having regular issues with a new neighbours child running out in front of my car any time leave or return home.

He can sometimes be found blocking my access to my drive and refusing to move, or crouching in front of my stationery car after I get in ready to go.

Having initially spoken to him about how dangerous this was and just getting more rudeness and hassle as a result, I've taken to trying to avoid him, but in having to veer so he didn't hit me on his bike recently, I have now scratched the car.

As I don't know his dad, who seems to have fallen out with others in the neighbourhood over his own inconsiderate behaviour, I so far haven't felt I can bring this up directly, although I know he's aware of his sons behaviour as other neighbours have mentioned seeing the boy acting this way when also complaining about him ruining their gardens etc. He doesn't seem to to have been interested in putting a stop to this.

AIBU in wanting the parent to know specifically the problems his son is causing, or will he just not want to know? I'm worried about causing this to escalate further. Is there something I could say to the boy the next time that will have an impact, as he really hasn't taken any notice of me and is now trying his best to wind me up more.

@itsgettingwierd I like the horn honking- will really annoy them but can't complain as valid action for their DCs safety ( as they seem unable to parent )

Get a camera on your house too, that covers your driveway and the road. You'll be able to catch the whole thing from every angle then

Sorry for you. Have you a dashcam?
Keep a log of all incidents and go to the police.
Parents clearly leaving you no option .

[quote rookiemere]@itsgettingwierd I like the horn honking- will really annoy them but can't complain as valid action for their DCs safety ( as they seem unable to parent )[/quote]
In my case the family lived on one of the cul de sac type side roads off our road (but still amazing eatery iyswim?!) and the boy did it on Main Road bit so family weren't directly next to beeping. But beeping attracted attention which attracted witnesses IMO!

Amazing eatery? How the hell did my phone decide that when I was trying to say all the same street

I would approach the parents if that doesn't work I'd almost be tempted to contact social services or the police as surely this is incredibly dangerous and if the parents aren't attempting to control their child it's neglect.

Don't expect the parent to be interested. More likely he'll give you a barrage of abuse.

There's a couple of kids like this in our street. If you beep your horn at them one of the parents starts shouting about how you're being 'mean' to them and they're only playing. After a near miss where one kid almost got run over while playing in the road (and the police/SS got informed), the parents now make a point of standing in the front garden scrolling on their phone at least some of the time while the kids are outside, which has slightly improved matters.

Next time he does it, I would call the police on the little fucker. Dashcam to record. March him home to his parents with the police en route, he could get someone killed.

Diary
Dash cam & police
Let them deal with it officially
The parents know but it doesn't sound like they care much, how sad

Be careful about speaking to the parents. It really depends on what they are like. With some parents talking to them would lead to an escalation of the child's behaviour.
I agree with getting a dashcam. And talking to the local police.

Dash cam and a ring doorbell with the camera covering your drive so you get it from more angles if he stands there blocking your driveway or can be seen jumping out from bushes etc.

Call the police to get advice and ask that they come and speak to the parent. You need to have a record of this with the police incase you hit him because he creeps out from behind a bush too low for you to see as you reverse or whatever it is he is doing. You need a record that you've been reporting this before it happens.

Bypass the parents and go straight to police and social services.I'd not bother about the scratched car angle, it's not a neighbourhood naughty kids situation but a safeguarding one.

I really feel for you, just reading about it made my blood run cold.

Perhaps when you tell the parents over exaggerate it a bit, just to emphasise the danger to their child.

@Librariesmakeshhhhappen it's all very well saying get a Ring doorbell and a dash cam. What if she can't afford to do that.

[quote StarCourt]@Librariesmakeshhhhappen it's all very well saying get a Ring doorbell and a dash cam. What if she can't afford to do that. [/quote]
Unfortunately the hassle and upheaval caused if she hits the wee boy could easily be far higher cost financially and physically than the initial outlay for dash cams etc. I bought my cctv for £70 from a catalogue and paid over 6 months interest free (buy now pay later). Less than £15 a month gave me vital security for my home by scaring off feral local teens who were attacking my house (and others) regularly.
Dash cams start at just under £20 online. Even if it's crappy, it'll be enough to help her in the event of the kid causing an accident.

Speak to the parents. Buy a dash cam for front and back.

@StarCourt

I would be considering this as a priority purchase, and doing what I could do pay for it because the problem isnt going to go away and she needs proof. Not just for recording any collision with this kid, but also for recording all the times he blocks the driveway, sneaks out from a bush to appear behind the car, all of it. Just incase.

Tell the parents.. come in from an angle of you're worried their kid will get hurt and there is damage to your car.. other people might not stop for them bla bla.. check the reaction and see what happens.. if you're met with someone rude or who doesn't give a f then...

1. Dashcam
2. 101 EVERY TIME it happens. Whether its coming home or leaving your drive, you believe the child wants to hurt himself jumping in front of cars and parents have been told
3. 101 every time there is damage to your car
4. Log on paper when it happens as well
5. Camera for front garden

I know it seems a lot but honestly if the parents don't give a f, they'll be the first to moan and want compo if anything happens to their kid or his bike.

Tell the parents. “Excuse me, your kid keeps deliberately running out in front of my car. Can you stop him please?”
Would have been the first thing I did.

@Voomster953

Tell the parents. “Excuse me, your kid keeps deliberately running out in front of my car. Can you stop him please?” Would have been the first thing I did.

When my neighbours kid did this I was sooooo shook up. He literally was stood at side of road watching me drive and then unexpectedly ran out in front of me. I missed him by an inch because I responsible driver who goes slowly down the road as it's a real family street with lots of kids (and random balls that appear 🤣)

But because of my fear that I could have ran him over I stormed to the parents house and went off on one but my rant was basically around how I could have permanently injured him and how I didn't want that to happen or have that on my conscience for the rest of my life.

It may be because I didn't slag his parenting but he actually looked really sheepish and dragged his son in. Or it may be because I caught him in only a dressing gown that just about covered his nethers at 4pm and he didn't dare move in case he was done for flashing (or just sheer embarrassment and wanting to get the hell outta there!)