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Original poster

Is DS breaking the law

55 replies

fourpeasinapod · 26/03/2020 08:34

DS is 19 and has his own car.

Everyone in my household is sticking to Boris Johnson’s rules that were put in on Monday evening.

DS wants to go out for a drive (by himself) in his car because he just wants out of the house.

I’d be worried that he’d be stopped by the police and he’d be done for because he wouldn’t have a valid reason for leaving the house.

That being said, I personally don’t see anything wrong with it if he’s not around anybody else and is just minding his own business in his own car

OP posts:
TedsFederationRep · 26/03/2020 08:44

Yes.

On another thread, a poster says a motorcyclist has been stopped and fined by the police in her immediate area for doing precisely that.

navteexo · 26/03/2020 08:46

They were saying yesterday that police officers wouldnt be pulling cars over. My neighbor puts her baby in the car and drives around to get him to sleep in the evenings. I dont see an issue if hes just driving around. You are also still allowed to get out of your house for excercise once a day too

BrokenBrit · 26/03/2020 08:48

Police are pulling over in my county and it’s quite rural here. You can’t go for a drive.
It isn’t on the list and is putting yourself and others at risk of a traffic accident/breakdown etc that this system can’t deal with now.

GreenTulips · 26/03/2020 08:51

Yep it’s if there’s an accident, tyre burst or breakdown and therefore needs assistance.

Plus he will need petrol at some point.

Totally understandable he wants to get out. But we all have to do our bit.

VadenuRewetje · 26/03/2020 08:51

19 year old boys with their own car are among the highest risk groups for accidents.

obviously you don't want him to have an accident at any time but at this time particularly, doing something that increases the risk you might end up in hospital is not a sensible thing to do. every car off the streets is giving the nhs a better chance at coping with this onslaught.

you probably can't stop him, but no he should not do it.

Inforthelonghaul · 26/03/2020 08:52

While out walking I’ve seen a few pairs of teenagers meeting and embracing so tbh I’d be doubtful that he’s just going for a drive. My DS wants his gf to drive over so they can just see each other but I’ve said no because there is no way one of them wouldn’t break and grab the other. They can talk, video chat and game together all day and night and that will have to do.

Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 26/03/2020 08:53

Yeah good point about the accidents and breakdown points. I hadn’t thought about that

OP posts:
lubeybooby · 26/03/2020 08:53

I think it applies as a non essential trip even if he doesn't plan on getting out of the car. He could be stopped and asked and fined

Is DS breaking the law
PoptartPoptart · 26/03/2020 08:53

Is it essential travel? No? Then tell him to stay home.

ItsLikeSputnik · 26/03/2020 08:56

The police are pulling over motorists in my area. So much so, that my employer has provided all colleagues with a letter we can show the police if it happens during our journey to work. I’m a supermarket home delivery picker, so a key worker. Lots of my colleagues have been stopped already.

Apolloanddaphne · 26/03/2020 08:56

Appoint him your shopping person so he can get out and drive for a valid reason when you need food?

Makeitgoaway · 26/03/2020 08:58

Yes. He needs to go for a walk. Or a run or a bike ride.

Makeitgoaway · 26/03/2020 08:59

My DS has registered as an NHS volunteer hoping that will give him a legitimate reason to take the car out.

FFSFFSFFS · 26/03/2020 09:00

The risk is that he would have an accident or breakdown. Which would then mean he would either need the NHS or need to interact with someone and therefore increase the risk of infection spread.

So he would be in breach of the wrong and it would be morally wrong.

Disfordarkchocolate · 26/03/2020 09:15

The police here as stopping people. He needs to go for a long walk as his exercise for the day.

frasersmummy · 26/03/2020 09:20

People are not being fined.. And if they are they need to question it with their local force

Because the new legislation has not been signed off in parliament yet.. Will be today or tomorrow

Porcupineinwaiting · 26/03/2020 09:24

My nephew has had to get a special form for his dad so that he can drive to his uni and fetch him. I dont think "going for a drive" is essential, sorry.

MiracletoCome · 26/03/2020 09:26

Can't he just sit in the car, in the day it is quite wam and he could just sit on the drive/outside the house in it and play on his phone/iPad

Jamonit · 26/03/2020 09:29

Breaking the law?

You mean like committing an actual criminal act, or is it he's daring to leave his house without the permission of the local Blockwart?

Its a shame they won't be able to hold public floggings, stonings and hangings for these degenerates.

Kingcole · 26/03/2020 09:29

I wouldn't be too hard on him. It is harder for this age group I think. You can advise but they have to make their own decisions.

I am just trying to remember being that age and be stuck with my folks all summer under four walls. It would have been almost impossible not to escape!

AmelieTaylor · 26/03/2020 09:38

I do feel very sorry for the teenagers.

Unfortunately he’d be putting others at risk doing it and it’s a good opportunity to learn to be a bit selfless.

If he says he’s a good driver & won’t have an accident - remind him that many others are not and that people are very distracted right now.

Ask him if he really wants to be in hospital right now -even with something as simple as a broken bone? Not to mention taking staff away from seriously ill patients. There are fewer to see to patients with other life threatening events /illnesses -not just covid.

I understand how he want to drive! & I understand it seems ‘harmless’ but it’s potentially not

Kingcole · 26/03/2020 09:44

Didn't they account for people who wouldn't comply in the modelling. He is hardly meeting up in big groups.

hardboiledeggs · 26/03/2020 09:50

I think he would be yes, if he were to breakdown it would be putting the breakdown companies etc at risk. He could get a fine.

Duchessofblandings · 26/03/2020 09:54

At 19 does he have a shiny, new reliable car?

If he breaks down, he’s putting someone else at risk. One walk, run or cycle a day. Like everyone else in the country who isn’t isolating.

Isadora2007 · 26/03/2020 09:55

Can he volunteer locally to deliver medicines or something? Or you can give him a job to do that requires driving? Or could he drive you to the shop- have a twenty minute small and safe drive around then pick you up?