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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried the police will get involved. Splashed a pedestrian by accident.

146 replies

SputnikChugabug · 31/12/2023 16:08

I absolutely didn’t mean to do this at all but I didn’t see him or his poor dog! It was dark, no street lights, under trees, raining and he was dressed in black and the road was completely flooded as I was driving though. About a foot of water covering the road and onto the pavement.

I stopped because I hadn’t realised what had hit my car, but he had punched it with something and the window is now chipped. He was racing towards me screaming so before I could even apologise I got back in the car and drove off because I didn’t feel safe.

the flood is over the road and the pavement and I drove through at about 10 mph, possibly even less! It was very busy. And navigating with the oncoming traffic was difficult.

im a bit worried I’m going to now get a call from the police and a hefty fine. I do feel absolutely terrible especially for the dog. I realise his feet must have been soaked but it was a total accident! I’m not worried about the chip as I know I deserved it, it’ll get sorted.

OP posts:
MumblesParty · 31/12/2023 16:58

You should be calling the police on him. Criminal damage and threatening behaviour.

Floralnomad · 31/12/2023 16:59

I think I’d be tempted to log the incident on the non emergency police site, not because you did anything wrong but because of the criminal damage to your car .

TooOldForThisNonsense · 31/12/2023 16:59

Stop being such a wet blanket. These things happen when there’s a lot of standing water and it’s dark. Presumably he owns towels and a washing machine and has heating, him and his dog will be fine. You didn’t do it deliberately whereas he did damage your car deliberately. He should be the one worried about police action, not you.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 31/12/2023 17:00

To be honest, if he's walking along by the side of the road wearing black clothing on a corner where drivers are taking evasive action, he's been extremely lucky that he hasn't been hit by a car and killed.

Making yourself visible when walking near a road in poor lighting is kind of Pedestrianism 101 isn't it? In the vanishingly small chance of the police coming round, I think you just point to the criminal damage, tell them it was an accident with a man wearing invisible clothing, and nothing more will happen.

Redglitter · 31/12/2023 17:01

If I was you I'd be delighted if the Police contacted you. You could then explain how it was a complete accident, you didn't see him because it was dark & he was in dark clothing. But while they're there you'd like to report him for damaging your car

There's no way he'll report you. He knows he's in a lot more trouble than you if he does

AvocadoSurprise · 31/12/2023 17:01

Quite honestly, I'd be reporting him for criminal damage to your car!

Sapphire387 · 31/12/2023 17:01

You sound like a complete people pleaser.

A horrible man damaged your car because you accidentally splashed him, and you're worried about him, his dog and getting into trouble?

Surely this isn't real. He sounds violent and I have zero sympathy for him.

FionnulaTheCooler · 31/12/2023 17:04

I wouldn't waste a single second feeling bad for him, he acted like a complete cock.

Elsiedarlingputthekettleon · 31/12/2023 17:09

Aw, OP ....you sound very conscientious and lovely! I'm sick of getting wet from drivers who are in no way like yourself! Even passing a pedestrian with heavy rain results in spray. I try to slow down because I know what it's like being drowned by drivers who actually don't give a shit. I'm alright, so whatever. But you drove at 10mph, and as you didn't see them, I assume as to not wet your engine/another passing car and limiting their visibility. He was probably shook up but had no right to smack your car like that! If the police do attend, just explain, and when you show them what he did - they will understand why you drove off. Happy New Year! 🥳

TravelInHope · 31/12/2023 17:14

Oh dear. This will
probably go to Special Branch. Their two main areas of active concern are terrorist infiltration into UK society, and motorists splashing pedestrians.

2jacqi · 31/12/2023 17:15

@SputnikChugabug if he is dressed in black in the dark, walking a dog, with no streetlights, then he is bloody lucky he wasnt run over. he is the idiot not you!

Emotionalsupportviper · 31/12/2023 17:17

Peoplemakemedespair · 31/12/2023 16:10

If the police get involved then it’s him that’ll be in the shit, not you. This law was created to stop wankers doing it deliberately. Being out with his dog dressed in black in low visibility is asking for trouble

This - he's being an arsehole.

His common sense should tell him that you wear light colours at night, or other conditions of reduced visibility - especially at this time of year when the weather is so appalling.

He threatened and frightened you because HE was being stupid.

He or his dog could very easily have been run over, never mind splashed.

We need those public service adverts back on again. One of them was "Be seen - wear white at night."

There is n excuse for either him or his dog being :invisible" - there are plenty of lourescent strips to attach to clothing and to dogs' collars.

You have done nothing wrong - he's the one who wants locking up!

Emotionalsupportviper · 31/12/2023 17:18

Floralnomad · 31/12/2023 16:59

I think I’d be tempted to log the incident on the non emergency police site, not because you did anything wrong but because of the criminal damage to your car .

This also.

DeeLusional · 31/12/2023 17:21

Why why why do pedestrians and some cyclists wear dark clothes without reflective strips/lights in the dark? I also worry about the fact that so many school uniforms are black, with no reflective strips.

ImCamembertTheBigCheese · 31/12/2023 17:22

whenlifegivesyoulemonssuckonthem · 31/12/2023 16:10

I remember when it was fun to splash pedestrians. Them were the days

Hopefully this is sarcasm

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 31/12/2023 17:27

I'm sure you'll find it's him in the wrong.

Megifer · 31/12/2023 17:29

The police won't come for you.

I can't work out how he managed to do something to your window though, even 5mph is pretty quick for someone walking to be able to react just after a surprise soaking. Sure it wasn't a stone that's chipped up somehow?

Toddlerteaplease · 31/12/2023 17:32

Can't avoid it round my area. All the drains are blocked and there are floods everywhere.

Tacotortoise · 31/12/2023 17:33

I have some sympathy for him actually. It's horrible when it happens and utterly rage inducing - certainly I shouted after the person that did it to me using language I would never normally use. OP must have been very close to him for him to be able to strike the car, unless he was carrying a stick.

Tacotortoise · 31/12/2023 17:34

Toddlerteaplease · 31/12/2023 17:32

Can't avoid it round my area. All the drains are blocked and there are floods everywhere.

Then slow down

thedefinitive · 31/12/2023 17:34

You need to stop falling over yourself with apologies, eye tests etc!

It was an accident. He was the one in the wrong!

Seriously, take a breath and chill and stop fretting.

MadameCamembert · 31/12/2023 17:37

Nothing will come of this. It’s simply an accident.

I’d report the damage and get a crime reference number in case you need to make a claim though.

Southpoint · 31/12/2023 17:37

Yes, the arseholes that come to attack someone after an incident. I had one almost breaking our car window in rage. A total lunatic and he could see I was reversing very slowly and decided to cross and cause trouble. I bet his real issue was the type of car I was driving. Anyway, do not even worry and if he gets the police you show them your car damage. Do not stress over this as you were not in the wrong.

Megifer · 31/12/2023 17:38

Tacotortoise · 31/12/2023 17:33

I have some sympathy for him actually. It's horrible when it happens and utterly rage inducing - certainly I shouted after the person that did it to me using language I would never normally use. OP must have been very close to him for him to be able to strike the car, unless he was carrying a stick.

Even with a stick that's some force required and rapid reaction time to catch a car going 10mph ish.

I doubt he actually hit your car op (if that helps you feel any less spooked!) Unless he carries a rock in his hand and chucked it!

Emotionalsupportviper · 31/12/2023 17:38

Tacotortoise · 31/12/2023 17:33

I have some sympathy for him actually. It's horrible when it happens and utterly rage inducing - certainly I shouted after the person that did it to me using language I would never normally use. OP must have been very close to him for him to be able to strike the car, unless he was carrying a stick.

If you were wearing black at night in bad weather you should have been blaming yourself.

If you had done your best to be visible, then you had every right to be annoyed.

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