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AIBU?

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Original poster

Private driveway - would this annoy you?

89 replies

newhome11 · 13/04/2023 06:44

New home in a gated development. Paid extra for corner plot which I thought would equal more privacy. Moved in 5 months ago and in the beginning it didn’t bother me but now it’s annoying me that almost everyday kids and adults are constantly cycling, scootering and vans and cars are turning their vehicles around in my driveway. There’s my driveway then access to my garden via the driveway so no need for anyone to be going there at all. Neighbour to the left has a sign saying “private driveway, no turning, no…..” along those lines, few houses down they have bollards. I haven’t said anything and when I see anyone I smile out if my window to be friendly but is it time I do something? It’s also the fact they could scratch my car which they seem to scooter very close to! What really pisses me off is that I’ve been in the driveway a few times getting things out of my car and done scooter right past me! Not even a hi or anything just scooter and back again like it’s a public area.

M

OP posts:
GretaGood · 13/04/2023 06:46

I don’t understand why they are doing this

h3ll0o · 13/04/2023 06:49

By standing there smiling youve implied you’re ok with this. You do need to say something if you want people to know this isn’t ok.

Original poster
newhome11 · 13/04/2023 06:49

I don’t understand why they are doing this

I think because it’s like curving around and slightly on a tilt they find it fun to scooter down but the parents should at least say something when they see I’m standing there unloading my car! At least aww sorry about x or something. But the fact they act like it’s a public place. Also to be clear it very obvious it’s my drive way.

OP posts:
ChessieFL · 13/04/2023 06:49

People turning round in my driveway wouldn’t bother me (although it bothers DH) but the scootering as if it’s a playground would. You need to go out every time you see them and tell them not to do it.

onthefence23 · 13/04/2023 06:49

Can you post a diagram? I can't understand if they're on your actual drive or sort of the end bit of a private road they've assumed is communal?

If it's your actual drive a gate or bollards would be my suggestion

Original poster
newhome11 · 13/04/2023 06:50

By standing there smiling youve implied you’re ok with this. You do need to say something if you want people to know this isn’t ok.

I wanted to be friendly at the start and not create any bad feelings. I thought they would stop once they realise people have moved in. It was left empty for 6 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
newhome11 · 13/04/2023 06:50

Also what should I do? What will end seen as reasonable and not too aggressive?

OP posts:
GoodChat · 13/04/2023 06:52

Just say "would you mind not scooting on my driveway?"

Anyotherdude · 13/04/2023 06:52

I’m guessing that you’re on an outside corner plot? A relative bought a house like this on a development where there are no boundary fences allowed and this happened all the time. My only suggestion would be to line both sides of the drive with pots planted with small trees or bushes - although they are moveable you might get fewer people willing to encroach on a visible boundary…

BeetleBailey · 13/04/2023 06:52

Realistically the only way to stop vehicles turning is to put something in the way

A van driver won't care about a polite little sign

Oysterbabe · 13/04/2023 06:54

Park your car right at the end so they can't pull in.

SmirnoffIceIsNice · 13/04/2023 06:54

Yes it would annoy me. I wouldn't want anyone close to my car in case it got damaged. People constantly using your drive to turn round could cause wear or damage to the structure.

Could you have a couple of small posts either side of the drive with a chain you put across? I'm guessing your neighbours have put in signs and bollards because it was happening to them too. Don't be afraid to protect your property OP.

Original poster
newhome11 · 13/04/2023 06:56

It’s just the cheek of it that I find really weird. I am naturally a very polite person who doesn’t like encroaching on people spaces so find this extra grating.

my kids scooter, the youngest is 3 and I would never let her scooter in private land. When we go around the area I make sure both eldest and youngest stick to the footpaths and public areas. There’s no way I would let them go into peoples drives

OP posts:
coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/04/2023 06:57

Put a gate or bollards in so they can't access it.

Original poster
newhome11 · 13/04/2023 06:59

Thank you for the responses. I just wanted to die sure I wasn’t over reacting. DH has told me I shouldn’t speak to anyone about this as it will cause bad relations with the neighbours. I just find them quite rude, I’ve been so nice but don’t feel very welcomed. I say morning etc. to everyone we pass they do say it back but I don’t feel they are very friendly. So I shouldn’t be worried about breaking down any neighbourly relations as there aren’t any!

OP posts:
Blinkingheckythump · 13/04/2023 07:03

Are people really bothered about people using their drive to turn on? The scootering would annoy me as it's not a park, but I genuinely couldn't care less about vehicles using it to turn

Anyotherdude · 13/04/2023 07:12

@Blinkingheckythump I too wasn’t worried about people using my driveway to turn…. Until some idiot actually reversed into my garage door and dented it in by about 12 inches. Unfortunately pre-Ring doorbell times😡

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/04/2023 07:15

Blinkingheckythump · 13/04/2023 07:03

Are people really bothered about people using their drive to turn on? The scootering would annoy me as it's not a park, but I genuinely couldn't care less about vehicles using it to turn

It does bother a lot of people - probably because some people aren't very careful drivers and have caused damage.

snitzelvoncrumb · 13/04/2023 07:21

I would get a ring doorbell in case a kid does damage your car. The only thing you can do is block your driveway.

Blinkingheckythump · 13/04/2023 07:24

Surely you only use the bottom of the driveway to turn around? @Anyotherdude can't believe someone did that that's shocking

difficultdifficultlemondifficult · 13/04/2023 07:28

Put something in the way to make it clear that it's your private land.

Mini decorative fence? Plant pots?

I couldn't get worked up about the occasional car doing a 3 point turn it's not like they are parking there or blocking your drive.

I wouldn't want kids constantly playing there though.

Original poster
newhome11 · 13/04/2023 07:29

I would get a ring doorbell in case a kid does damage your car. The only thing you can do is block your driveway.

I do have ring that’s when I know they’re in my driveway as it alerts me. It doesn’t however record all the way around so when they scooter around towards the garden entrance where the car is parked there’s no recording.

Are people really bothered about people using their drive to turn on?
it also is a potential safety risk as if I keep ignoring the motion how do I know someone isn’t trying to get into the house via the garden entrance. Also my kids play in the garden which is dangerous if they are coming out and don’t see the car reversing.

OP posts:
pickledandpuzzled · 13/04/2023 07:30

That's a great reason to say stop. It sets your doorbell off which interrupts you at work.

pickledandpuzzled · 13/04/2023 07:30

Also mentioning the filming is off putting for some!

RudsyFarmer · 13/04/2023 07:31

We need a diagram!

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