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Original poster

Can I drive my DD13 8 miles to meet her friend for walk in park?

137 replies

bathsh3ba · 08/01/2021 14:06

I'm confused about the rules now after reading about two women being fined in Derbyshire.

We live in a rural village, my DDs go to school in the next town, 8 miles away, where most of their friends live. My DD has been invited to go for a socially distanced walk with her friend at the park by her friend's house. I'll have to drive her there, then walk separately with my younger DD elsewhere in the park.

Can someone clarify if that's allowed please?

OP posts:
tinkywinkyshandbag · 08/01/2021 16:58

@Emufakes

You can catch it outdoors. My CV relative did. They'd been indoors for weeks, no supermarket trips, no carers etc. They took a walk with a friend (their 1st). 2m distance, outdoors. Friend tested positive 2 days later, relative 5 days after that.
You can catch it outdoors. My CV relative did. They'd been indoors for weeks, no supermarket trips, no carers etc. They took a walk with a friend (their 1st). 2m distance, outdoors. Friend tested positive 2 days later, relative 5 days after that.

I also know an adult who did the same, and is currently very poorly. Said adult had been very careful in all other respects.

bigbluebus · 08/01/2021 16:58

In many rural villages it is not possible to go for a walk without walking on country roads which I wouldn't be happy about especially in the icy weather we're having at the moment combined with the number of parcel delivery drivers who frequent our roads and don't necessarily drive slowly or carefully. I thought the drive to exercise rules allowed for people to drive elsewhere so they could exercise safely - which walking in a park would be.

annevonkleve · 08/01/2021 16:58

Yes you can as long as you are not in Derbyshire.

RememberSelfCompassion · 08/01/2021 17:01

Gosh Emu. Im at risk but honestly thought outdoors was okay 😬

HasaDigaEebowai · 08/01/2021 17:01

It's against the guidance. She's socialising and not exercising and you are not exercising at all but transporting your child 8 miles (not local) for socialising purposes.

FFS over 1300 people died today in the UK

MrsMiaWallis · 08/01/2021 17:02

I'd say no. It's not exercise, its socialising and they won't socially distance. The 8 mile drive is fine.

RememberSelfCompassion · 08/01/2021 17:02

If they're going for a walk its exercise isnt it?

annevonkleve · 08/01/2021 17:03

The risk of the accident (or break down) is on the totally unnecessary 8 mile drive that goes completely against the guidance

I do wish people would stop going on about breaking down on a short journey. It is vanishingly unlikely and even if you did, that's what breakdown cover is for, and you don't have to go anywhere near the person from the AA or wherever they come from.

And yes of course the OP could take a walk with her DD but she wants to see a friend for a walk, which is allowed. It's not her fault they don't live very close to each other.

Driving 8 miles is not local, even in rural areas. Common sense dictates local is where you can walk to, not get in a car and drive to

It dictates no such thing. My mother lives in a village with few pavements and hills. Common sense dictates she drives somewhere reasonably local and flat where she can walk in safety.

annevonkleve · 08/01/2021 17:04

As for the walk being socialising not exercise, well aren't most people only socialising when they go out for a walk? They walk far too slowly for it to be "exercise".

MrsMiaWallis · 08/01/2021 17:05

@RememberSelfCompassion

If they're going for a walk its exercise isnt it?
Fine, go for it, do what you want. Might as well just lockdown until May.
AiryFairyMum · 08/01/2021 17:06

No, I definitely wouldn't.

Spied · 08/01/2021 17:07

I'd refrain.
Unnecessary travel, it's not really exercise and they will be close together chatting.
I'd be more likely to consider it in the weeks to come if dd's mental health is suffering and it would be a huge benefit to meet up with her friend that she hasn't seen for a long time.

MrsMiaWallis · 08/01/2021 17:08

Will they socially distance? If you know that they will then ok yes fine. If they don't, then that's on you.

Mine wouldn't.

Katie517 · 08/01/2021 17:08

It’s perfectly legal and the risk is minimal ignore the people on here saying not to they would happily have people bolted in their houses for months on end. There is no law on driving to exercise and the guidelines state local area which is open to interpretation. Everyone should be making the effort to get out in the fresh air and get moving and it will help your daughters mental health as well. Going for a walk with a friend is the only bit of enjoyment we get at the moment yet still people want to make us feel guilty for doing it.

tinkywinkyshandbag · 08/01/2021 17:09

To be fair the stay local rule is much harder if you live in a rural area because 5 miles is literally no distance at all - many villages are easily spaced that far apart and for me to go to say the nearest big supermarket is 15 miles (although there are smaller shops closer they are more expensive). But I am trying really hard to stick to staying local - e.g only walking the dogs out from my front door rather than putting them in the car and driving to a wood or other village which I normally do (even though this means the range of walks I can do is very limited)

With my DDs I have said the same, I'm not driving them to see friends etc - it's hard because most of their friends don't live in the same village - older DD's at uni now but her secondary school was an hours bus ride away! Younger DD's at college which is also an hours bus ride away so can't see any of her college friends, luckily she has a couple of old school friends near enough to go for a walk with, but I have told her it's strictly an "exercise" walk, not a sit-on-a-bench-for-a-chat walk. So far they have both kept to facetimes/zooms etc, but by the end of March that is really going to be wearing thin!

So OP I am sorry but I think you should not drive your DD 8 miles for a walk - even though that's really a bit sad.

wantmorenow · 08/01/2021 17:09

Unnecessary and non-essential. No.

It's tough but suck it up. My kids haven't been out in weeks. They cope, it's not great but FFS almost 1400 people died today. We have to do better than popping out so much.

Haggertyjane · 08/01/2021 17:11

well of course it isn't allowed. you are supposed to stay local, but by all means travel to somewhere else.

MrsMiaWallis · 08/01/2021 17:13

I'd like my kids to go to school thanks very much, so I'd rather people didn't pop out for a non socially distanced natter in the park.

robin04031402 · 08/01/2021 17:13

I would OP.
It's important for your DD's mental health and that's more important than anything! Especially at her age and with everything going on!
I hope she enjoys her walk :)

Katie517 · 08/01/2021 17:13

@wantmorenow it will fall on deaf ears but 10 months into this pandemic and still people think that 1400 people died today! They didn’t. And OP please let your daughter go for a walk the oppressive and doom ridden opinions you read from people on mumsnet are not representative of real life opinions. Most people I know are driving short distances to meet a friend outside for a walks. I have done it twice this week and the positive impact it has had on my mental health has been huge.

DartmoorWilderness · 08/01/2021 17:16

If you want to risk a £200 fine like the 2 ladies in Derbyshire that drove 5 miles to meet up?

Crakeandoryx · 08/01/2021 17:33

Of course you can op. I hope she enjoys the time with her friend.

bloodywhitecat · 08/01/2021 17:38

@bigbluebus

In many rural villages it is not possible to go for a walk without walking on country roads which I wouldn't be happy about especially in the icy weather we're having at the moment combined with the number of parcel delivery drivers who frequent our roads and don't necessarily drive slowly or carefully. I thought the drive to exercise rules allowed for people to drive elsewhere so they could exercise safely - which walking in a park would be.
This!

We live rurally and the risk of being knocked down by a lorry or vehicle on our NSL road, which is narrow enough that two lorries cannot pass without one having to stop while the other drives slowly past and has no footway, is much higher than the risk of being in an accident or the risk of a breakdown so we drive the 5 or so miles to an area where we can park safely and go for exercise.

WeatherwaxOn · 08/01/2021 17:39

@SingANewSongChickenTikka

The guidance is to stay within your village, town or part of the city so not really within that. Plenty will be along soon to point out that it’s guidance not law though.
Well yes, guidance isn't law. If it benefits her mental health, they're socially distanced and outdoors, I can't see that this is going to negatively impact anyone. You are allowed to travel for exercise, but ideally should stay local. However, if it isn't possible, then sensible behaviour should apply.
LazyDaisy22 · 08/01/2021 17:40

I wouldn’t drive my daughter 8 miles to meet her friend for a walk. The guidance is quite clear this isn’t allowed. It’s hard on your daughter not to see her friend but the figures today are horrific. Use FaceTime or zoom instead.

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