Been for a walk...

[imamearcat]

We've driven to some quiet woods 10 mins away.. which I believe is within the law and guidelines. But I've been berated by family for it!

We saw a couple of families in the distance and that's it.. so I'm not exactly worried about spreading covid19 but I don't know, I feel a bit guilty??

Just wondered what other people were thinking about this kind of thing?

You’re not supposed to drive to your walk

The College of Policing guidelines say driving locally for exercise is fine. Driving hours to a busy beauty spot would not be.

The guidance was clarified this week by the government. You're allowed to drive for a walk if it's a short drive and you spend more time walking than driving. Google it if you need confirmation. We celebrated by driving ten minutes to a beautiful park.

You definitely can drive to take your exercise www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/COVID-19/Documents/What-constitutes-a-reasonable-excuse.pdf

We walk round the woods but there at the end of our road like a 5 min walk away, lots of people seem to be driving there though, they've never been so busy and loads of cars in the car park.
I think the guidelines say as long as youre walking a lot longer than you are driving its OK? But don't quote me on that, I personally wouldn't be driving anywhere unnecessarily but I'm lucky to have them nearby so it's hard to say what I would do if I didn't have them.

It's been clarified now that so long as more time is spent walking than driving then that's ok. Personally, however, I think any non-essential car journeys should be avoided - if you were to crash (unlikely I know, but possible...) it diverts valuable emergency services time

Better to drive to somewhere quiet than walk down busy streets or local park. Our local country park within walking distance is heaving with family groups all riding bikes in gangs or large family groups walking or jogging. I think everyone thinks it's compulsory to use their allocated one hour of exercise a day as I've never seen half these people there before. It's impossible to avoid them on the paths.

You are allowed to drive to exercise. Why do people think it’s ok to keep spouting lies about the guidelines just because they’re too pathetic to read what is and isn’t allowed? So many people need to get a grip it’s depressing

I think it’s vital for families to get out! Normally DC would be at school or even on holiday. We need more spaces open. The forestry commission have closed around here. The children’s commissioner has even asked for golf courses to open for walking. Spaced out walking is safe and these areas could organise controlled entry. I heard a professor saying we need to find way to do things safely instead of saying no to everything. I agree.

We need more spaces open

Indeed - and the government would appear to agree...www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52339266

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52339266

I think the guidance has changed and maybe they don't realise. Sorry to hear your family seem not very supportive.

Driving locally is fine.
It has always been fine.

What did make me yesterday when it was raining here was that all those people who are determined to get their exercise in no matter that there's a potentially deadly virus about didn't seem so keen to venture out when it was drizzling.

But yes, infection wise it must surely be safer to drive a few mins to somewhere quiet than go through busier streets/parks.

if you were to crash (unlikely I know, but possible...) it diverts valuable emergency services time

This is not the reason people are told to avoid non essential travel. FFS.

I just think people sometimes struggle to understand that they can think something is not safe and choose not to do it, but that doesn't mean other people shouldn't.

The law is clear what is forbidden. Anything else other than that is personal judgement.

I’m hoping the Police stay away from our local NT car park too. There’s hundreds of acres there and they stopped people parking. It’s not acceptable. It’s 10-15 mins drive from a couple of medium size towns and people really can social distance once there. The picnic area is sensibly closed off. That’s fair enough. I’ve just heard the news on radio 4 that the government wants parks open! Good. Let’s hope they are!

Thanks guys. Sounds like people are mostly on my wavelength.

I'm just a bit sick of feeling guilty or worried that people will have a go at me because they have taken their own interpretation of what we are being asked to do or just because they can't be bothered to read the news!

Anyway, will continue to have a drive and a nice walk.

Don't tell them about it! Honestly, it's none of their business. I ordered many litres of paint and am catching up on the DIY - it was there to buy, I did click and collect, distancing was in operation, so what? Just use your common sense and your brain when it comes to being sensible.

You are allowed to drive to exercise. Why do people think it’s ok to keep spouting lies about the guidelines just because they’re too pathetic to read what is and isn’t allowed? So many people need to get a grip it’s depressing

Agree with this.

Out of interest, how do these critical family members even know? I've seen several posts similar to yours and my gut instinct is, instead of looking for people to tell you if you're right or wrong when some judgy fucker criticises you, just stop sharing out every boring, mundane detail of your life.

Its totally fine and none of their business. The rules haven't changed but the police document does clarify that a short drive to exercise is fine. We take 3yo DD to some woods a 5 mon drive away every day as otherwise she wouldn't be able to run around because the roads are dangerous.

Out of interest, how do these critical family members even know? I've seen several posts similar to yours and my gut instinct is, instead of looking for people to tell you if you're right or wrong when some judgy fucker criticises you, just stop sharing out every boring, mundane detail of your life.

Jesus! Have you ever thought maybe they asked her what she'd been doing? When I speak to family and friends we generally talk about what we've done, where we've been.

Only on MN should you never mention anything about your life to anyone

You’re not supposed to drive to your walk

Yes you can. If you are going start telling people what the rules are, it's best you know them.