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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Tyre stabbed

14 replies

sprited · 29/02/2024 00:15

I am a carer and twice a week look after a gentleman in his own home for 12 and a half hours. Normally 7.30am - 8pm. Last week I arrived home and parked on my driveway. The next day I discovered that I had a completely flat tyre.

I've taken it to a garage and they are certain the damage was done on purpose as there is a circular hole in the side of the wheel.

I can't prove this took place at work or at home. I've heard the neighbours where I work can be pretty nasty when it comes to parking spaces, they even mark them out with cones. I always seem to get a spot and nobody has said I'm parked in someone else's space. It's near to a train station so they don't want commuters parking there I think. I've parked in the same spot for almost 6 months now. I did notice by chance a lady removing her ring doorbell in the afternoon that day, I don't know when she put it back. I'm suspicious now, maybe she was just changing the batteries though.

I'm really worried about going to work tomorrow in case this happens again. If the tyre had blown on my way home (60mph roads in the dark) it would have been very dangerous. I re inflated the tyre and it took just over 24hrs to deflate again.

Would I be unreasonable to go knock on a few doors close to where I park and ask directly if I'm bothering them by parking there? Also to go ask the person with the ring doorbell if they have any footage? Also I can't leave the gentleman alone so I'd be knocking their doors after 8pm. Maybe I could put letters through. I don't know, I'm feeling quite paranoid now.

There is also the possibility that it happened on my driveway but I haven't a clue why it would and it's a very quiet street.

OP posts:
LindaHamilton · 29/02/2024 00:18

Leave a note stating ''WHEEL meet again.''

AutumnFroglets · 29/02/2024 00:24

I would post a note through several doors asking them if they had noticed anybody acting suspiciously around your vehicle as damage had occurred which caused a danger to yourself and other road users. I would also mention that you are a carer for a vulnerable person so have to park wherever you can but they can always text you if you've parked in a bad place. Then include your mobile.

Hopefully someone will be kind enough to watch out for you.

Treehuggingmutherfunkin · 29/02/2024 01:22

LindaHamilton · 29/02/2024 00:18

Leave a note stating ''WHEEL meet again.''

Lol this is hilarious

lovelthesun247 · 29/02/2024 03:10

Sorry this happened to you. I understand that it's made you feel anxious.

Could you leave a note inside your car on the dashboard to say you are a carer? If it is an angry neighbour who thinks it's acceptable to damage someone's car, they might be more understanding if they know why you park in that spot for long periods on a regular basis.

I can't understand why people get so possessive about parking spaces on public roads

BobbyBiscuits · 29/02/2024 08:05

It's a bit of effort, but you could write a note with your company logo (with permission I guess? ) stating you are 'working in a home as a carer in the road and will need to park on x,yz, days.
If anyone requires any more info then just give your head Office's number'
You should tell your employer about the damaged car, surely it's in the course of work so they should pay for the repair?

BMW6 · 29/02/2024 08:09

Invest in dashcams front and back and put notices on car warning of them?

ThisOldThang · 29/02/2024 08:15

If you have a bike in the wall of the tyre, then it is very dangerous to drive.

Please don't risk your life, and other road users, by continuing to drive with a defective tyre.

https://www.justtyres.co.uk/tyre-tips/tyre-sidewall-damage-why-its-dangerous-and-how-to-deal-with-it

Is damage to the sidewall dangerous?

Yes, any damage to the sidewall is an indication that there may be severe damage to the internal structure of the tyre. If left unchecked, even for a short period, it could lead to a blowout, which in turn could lead to an accident. Even the best drivers will struggle to control a vehicle during a blowout at high speed.

Can you drive on a tyre with a damaged sidewall?
**
The short answer is no, you should not drive your vehicle if any of the tyre sidewalls are damaged, unless driving to have the problem fixed. Not only is it dangerous, but it will lead to an instant fail of your MOT as it’s considered illegal. Driving with a severely damaged sidewall can result in a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre, as well as penalty points on your license.

TYRE SIDEWALL DAMAGE - WHY IT’S DANGEROUS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT | Just Tyres

With only a small amount of your tyres’ surface touching the road - known as the contact patch - it’s naturally that part of the tyre which experiences the most...

https://www.justtyres.co.uk/tyre-tips/tyre-sidewall-damage-why-its-dangerous-and-how-to-deal-with-it

sprited · 29/02/2024 08:16

BobbyBiscuits · 29/02/2024 08:05

It's a bit of effort, but you could write a note with your company logo (with permission I guess? ) stating you are 'working in a home as a carer in the road and will need to park on x,yz, days.
If anyone requires any more info then just give your head Office's number'
You should tell your employer about the damaged car, surely it's in the course of work so they should pay for the repair?

I am a self employed carer and I would never tell my client what has happened, he is a sensitive and vulnerable person so it would be inappropriate.

OP posts:
LIZS · 29/02/2024 08:19

Ask the ndn with the camera if they can check for anything. That opens a conversation on parking there and why you do.

Katemax82 · 29/02/2024 08:19

Get a dash cam that works when your car is parked. Won't solve this incident but will in future

BobbyBiscuits · 29/02/2024 08:24

@sprited Sorry, I didn't mean tell the client. I thought wrongly you worked for a firm or agency that you could use to legitimise your parking situation.

I meant you could put the note through the neighbours doors. Still would be reasonable to do this. If there's deliberate damage maybe contact the police for a crime number.

SedentaryCat · 29/02/2024 09:02

Could you leave a note on the dashboard giving your mobile no. and saying where you are/what you are doing? If there is an issue with commuter parking then they most likely think that's what you're up to and a note in the window might help?

Put notes through the door asking if they'd seen anything - mention you're caring for their neighbour. Agree with PP about contacting the police.

My parents live near a train station and occasionally get someone park in front of their garage (private land) and then disappear. They've had to have cars towed away in the past.

Bunny922 · 29/02/2024 09:21

Sorry this happened to you op. People are really funny about parking where I live too. You shouldn’t have to but you can get those devil stickers or ones like the baby on board signs to put in your car that say ‘carer on call’

Bunny922 · 29/02/2024 09:23

Sorry that meant to say decal stickers auto correct!

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