Is DS breaking the law

[fourpeasinapod]

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

I've had to explain this to my elderly parents who are going stir crazy. 'But surely if we just drive to a field where no one is around and have a short walk, then drive back, we're not risking anything as not in contact with anyone?'. When I explained that if they crashed or blew a tire they would have to be on contact with people, the penny dropped. They are fed up, but will stick to it now they understand.

I also wonder about the insurance aspect If the rules are no driving unless essential, then the insurance MAY not be obliged to pay out?
Anyway - that was what I told my son yesterday when he wanted to go to get fuel in the neighbouring town as it was cheaper than usual.

Maybe he could just go sit in his car and listen to music for a while.

This is from my local area

If there is the chance that there might be petrol shortages then non essential driving is not responsible

I am letting my 17 year old drive when we have the essential trips of food shopping/prescriptions etc. I reckon it will be every third day as a large family that consumes so much food! The roads around us are quiet thankfully.

I am hoping once I get the hang of food shopping better I can reduce that further.

Wouldn’t have thought petrol shortages would be an issue. Most people don’t need to drive anywhere.

Could be shortages if the tank drivers go off sick or the petrol station staff are sick and closed. With reduced public transport people need to drive if they live away from the shops.

Happyhammy

Please don't go about spreading fear of petrol shortages.. There is absolutely no sign of this happening.. The army would step in if there are not enough drivers

Statements like yours cause panic buying which leads to shortages

Send him out somewhere to do "shopping"?

How would they know he wasn’t going to get shopping? People are allowed to go to the supermarket. Genuine question.

It’s not great but you can’t physically stop him. At least he’s not having some huge party with a load of other teenagers.

Police are definitely stopping cars here and demanding reasons to be out. Its selfish as eventually you need petrol thus continuing to be exposed to people. And what about crashes and breakdowns? People need to be more sensible.

To someone who said how can they tell he isnt going shopping for essentials, the police by me know the routes to all the local foodshops and pharmacies and if you are caught on a road that takes you away from a nearby pharmacy or foodshop or proof of caring for a vulnerable person you get fined. Although im not sure how they prove the care one but the shop ones are being fined.

This is official government guidance on the matter.

It does not say you can't drive. Yes, we all have a responsibility to do everything we can to mitigate risk, but I think being in your own car and not leaving it is less of a risk than certain other circumstances.

@Geepipe what sort of evidence of caring for an elderly person do you need to provide? We are self isolating at the moment but I will need to get some food to my parents next week.

I think they need to stop saying ‘travel’ & start saying drive. Many people don’t associate taking their car somewhere routine as ‘travel’. Especially younger people.

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.

I would be more worried that he had a breakdown, which would put more people (recovery/garage/transport home) at risk, or an accident when the NHS doesn't need people having avoidable accidents. Imagine if all the teens with cars just stayed 'going for a drive'

That said, I would send him off to do the family shopping g. That has to be done anyway and he gets out for a bit. 2 birds, one stone.

He might be breaking the law by later today, when the emergency powers bill formally passes (I'm assuming the journey to Windsor for Royal Aeent will be considered an essential journey)

SKY are reporting that at least one police force has announced checkpoints, where they shall be checking on nature of journey. At present, it sounds like educational b/ersuasion, but thus couid change at any time

Im not sure how you can prove the care side tbh unless you just have a convincing alibi and dont go out constantly like some people.

Police stopping people here asking where they are going .

How is police pulling people over to ask where you’re going social distancing?!

I have a question.
I’m a key worker and so is my partner but one of us works nights and one days.
Am I allowed to give him a lift to work seen as he has no other way of getting there?

Someone that works with my DH was pulled over by police this morning they asked where he was going and if it was essential. (He was going to work)

Being stopped in our area OP, sent home and this handed to them. But to be honest I'd probably let him risk having this experience for himself, as he'll take it more seriously than you trying to tell him.

I hope they keep 2m away when they pull you over