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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour drinking and driving - what should I do?

42 replies

ScaredOfEverything · 27/12/2008 19:45

Hi all, was hoping some advice.

I know there have been some other drinking and driving threads recently so hoping there will be someone with some good ideas.

My DH just went across the road to check all was ok with our neighbours because their garage door was open. He found our neighbour virtually in unconcious with drink and wedged into his car. He was so p*ssed he had driven into his garage and couldnt get out of the car. DH helped him, and he is back in the house now.

We have heard from another neighbour that he regularly drinks and drives but this is the first time we have seen it ourselves. Also, we are really shocked by quite HOW drunk he was. Im not saying drinking and driving is ever excusable, of course not, but being this drunk and driving shocks me to the core.

It seems he goes somewhere and comes back drunk so it is hard for us to prevent this in future by calling the police and catching him in the act. If we call the police is there a chance they will go round and scare him into not doing it anymore?

Im really angry. Any advice gratefully received. THank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScaredOfEverything · 27/12/2008 19:46

Just realised I havent said AIBU?! I guess AIBU to call the police and hoping they give him a good scare

OP posts:
ByThePowerOfBaileys · 27/12/2008 19:47

I would call the police without giving names or numbers initially and tell them exactly what you have just said.

they may ask for details or they may say they have to catch him... either way you will know.

what a stupid man!

FrannyandZooey · 27/12/2008 19:47

yanbu

whoingodsnameami · 27/12/2008 19:48

I expect they will take his number plate and randomly stop him when patrol cars see him out and about.

AugustusGloop · 27/12/2008 19:48

He doesnt need to be driving to be done for "drunk in charge of".
If you ring the coppers and tell them this they will store his reg for future number plate recognition stuff.
Why not ask the police to go and speak to him - maybe your local copper?

FiveGoMadInDorset · 27/12/2008 19:48

If he is still in the car then phone the police as he can be done even while not driving IYSIM

wotuhohohoinat · 27/12/2008 19:48

I think you should call the police. One day you could be crossing the road when he drives in the road and is unable to control his car. The possible consequences don't bear thinking about.

TwoCuteFestiveFairys · 27/12/2008 19:49

without a shadow of a doubt call the police and report him, its a shame that your DH helped him into the house, he should have left him there to freeze!!

LongDroopyBoobyLady · 27/12/2008 19:50

Did you actually see him driving the car whilst drunk?

I don't think you are being unreasonable for reporting him if you saw him driving whilst drunk but the Police won't be able to do much about it without catching him in the act.

Original poster
ScaredOfEverything · 27/12/2008 19:50

I know. There are so many wee ones in our street

We live in teh congestion charge zone so there are loads of cameras. I wonder whether they could use those.

He is not in the car anymore unfortunately.

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 27/12/2008 19:51

My dad used to do this - he was an alcoholic.

He killed someone.

Call the police and give name and number.

Original poster
ScaredOfEverything · 27/12/2008 19:51

We didnt actually see him driving, but it was clear that he had driven into his garage which is right on the road. Else he wouldnt have been able to get in that position.

OP posts:
bellavita · 27/12/2008 19:51

I think what the police will do is come out and if his car has been in use recently, they will be able to tell because the engine will not be clap cold (even if he says he has not been driving) and then breathalise him.

balismum · 27/12/2008 19:52

call the police. YABU not to.

LongDroopyBoobyLady · 27/12/2008 19:53

I think you should probably call the Police and let them know what has happened just to put him on their radar for next time.

NorthernLurkerwithastarontop · 27/12/2008 19:53

Call the police right now!

Friends of ours are right now at the hospital bedside of their loved one - critically injured by a drunk driver on Boxing Day. It's not up to you what the police do - but the least you can do is call them!

fishie · 27/12/2008 19:54

yes you must call, he can't be allowed to do that again.

WorzselMummage · 27/12/2008 19:56

Definatly call the police !

Original poster
ScaredOfEverything · 27/12/2008 19:58

Oh goodness Northern that is awful.

My anxiety about calling the police now is that he will know it is us, and it may not lead to anything happening. Do you think I have anything to lose by waiting until tomorrow so is less obvious we were the ones taht called?

OP posts:
onager · 27/12/2008 19:59

I'm usually against all these "shall I report someone" threads, but being too drunk to even get out of a car is pretty serious.

You sound like good neighbours since your DH helped him so it's not vindictive if you speak to the police.

Before you do though just be on the safe side and make sure it's not an illness or something that makes him look drunk. Doesn't sound like it in this case, but you've only got another neighbours word for it that it happens a lot.

TheSeriousSanta · 27/12/2008 20:00

I'd call the police immediately.

Even if they aren't able to do anything NOW (which they may or may not be able to) they can store the details for later.

It will help with any case.

And how would you feel if you did nothing and he hurt or killed someone?

pamelat · 27/12/2008 20:02

I would call crime stoppers and give the deails. Imagine if he killed someone.

YOu could ask crime stoppers (anonymous) how likely the police would be to act on it, if unlikely, then call the police directly.

If you find out what pub he normally goes to then they can sort out a random stop from there and it wont look obvious that its you.

NorthernLurkerwithastarontop · 27/12/2008 20:05

Well if he's so drunk that he can't get out of the house tonight then no there's nothing to lose - except that you don't know that's the case do you? And he could easily drive tomorrow whilst still drunk and he could kill anybody - including your loved ones. Call now. If he's says anything to you then you can deny it - he'll never know. He won't mention it though - he will be ashamed and so he should be!

bellavita · 27/12/2008 20:07

Sorry to hear about your friends lo NorthernLurker

ScaredOf - please phone the police now.

GaspodisWearingASantaHatHoHoHo · 27/12/2008 20:09

Call the police. I don't want to sound harsh but if you don't then you are being utterly irresponsible. You've said there are children in your street, what if one was walking past when he was pratting around trying to get into his garage. Even at a snails pace a child can be crushed under a car. Call them now.