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AIBU?

To pay a bus lane fine even though I was a passenger.

114 replies

LondonElle · 23/04/2018 19:07

Went to a concert last month in Cardiff.
My friend drove me and three other friends there and back ( we paid her petrol money)
Whilst driving through the city centre she inadvertently went into a bus lane therefore she was fined £50.
She has since asked that we all give her a tenner... is this a reasonable request do you think?

OP posts:
KirbyKane · 23/04/2018 19:08

I would never ask for money if I was the one responsible for the vehicle and ensuring I didn't drive in lanes which were not meant for me.

KellyBailey · 23/04/2018 19:08

She's being cheeky, as the driver its up to her to pay attention to signage for bus lane restriction times.

lindyhopy · 23/04/2018 19:08

yes I think it's reasonable that you all share the cost.

CadyHeron · 23/04/2018 19:09

How the heck is it anything to do with you if you were a passenger?
No way. Cheeky moo. (Her, not you.)

Ylvamoon · 23/04/2018 19:10

Nope - it was her choice to use the bus lane.

Sunkist12 · 23/04/2018 19:10

Hmm, even though she's the driver and this was her fault. You also have to think that she wouldn't have been driving there If she wasn't doing this for you. I personally would put towards the fine.

CadyHeron · 23/04/2018 19:10

yes I think it's reasonable that you all share the cost.

Why is it anything to do with the passengers if it was the driver's careless driving that led to the fine? Genuine question.

bettydraper31 · 23/04/2018 19:10

No way, she was the driver therefore fully responsible. Bad luck but that’s just the way life is sometimes.

WhiteCoyote · 23/04/2018 19:11

I would pay personally yes to help a friend, but as a driver I wouldn’t ask my passengers to pay a fine I incurred. I think it’s fine either way.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 23/04/2018 19:11

I got a parking ticket when I took some friends out. Just didn't see the sign. No way would I have asked them for any money - I didn't even tell them about the ticket

MojitoMonkey · 23/04/2018 19:11

I would probably have offered to contribute, it's pretty stressful trying to drive in an unfamiliar town, especially with a car full of passengers.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 23/04/2018 19:11

Well, of course it wasn’t your fault, but, even though you paid petrol money, I’m guessing it did you all a favour getting a lift, convenience wise. I think I would have offered to pay some of it under the circumstances tbh.

Sycamoretrees · 23/04/2018 19:12

If £50 is a lot of money for her it would be kind to offer something towards it, but no, not really your responsibility. She wouldn't have been in this position if she wasn't doing you a favour by driving, but she's responsible for her own driving. I'd probably pay to be nice and keep the peace.

KirbyKane · 23/04/2018 19:12

"she wouldn't have been driving there If she wasn't doing this for you." - terrible logic! She agreed to drive and it wasn't an issue. My boyfriend drove in a bus lane and got a fine when I was in the car with him and I would've laughed if he asked me to split the cost!

DroningOn · 23/04/2018 19:12

You'd not chip in to pay a speeding fine, or a parking ticket so this is no different.

However, for the purposes of harmony I'd offer to split the cost with her but not pay it all.

DairyisClosed · 23/04/2018 19:12

Would she also expect you to pay her excess if she had ended up in an accident dye to her inattention.

DroningOn · 23/04/2018 19:13

Just reread it, 10 each and 20 from her seems like a reasonable compromise

Sirzy · 23/04/2018 19:13

Unless you told her to drive in there then it’s very much her responsibility.

TroubledLichen · 23/04/2018 19:14

Tricky... she was driving so it was totally her fault. But considering she’s a friend I think it’s a bit mean of you all not to offer to chuck in a tenner. If it were a friend of mine I would have immediately offered to split the cost, I wouldn’t have waited for her to ask and the fact that she has make it all a bit awkward. If you reply to her and say no then it’s effectively friendship over and all over £10. So if you value the friendship cough up and maybe don’t let her drive next time you take a trip somewhere!

37KAT · 23/04/2018 19:15

It is her responsibility however if she had a car full in an unfamiliar area, possibly feeling pressure of navigating where you were all going I don't think it unreasonable that you all chip in.
You paid petrol however you probably had a good night and the opportunity of an alcoholic beverage... Your friend has been unlucky, help her out...

BustopherJones · 23/04/2018 19:15

When my friend offered to help us move she accidentally got a parking fine as it was badly signposted and loads of other cars were parked so she assumed ok. She didn’t ask for any money but we paid it as she was doing us a favour. Also, there wasn’t anywhere nearby to park that wouldn’t have made moving in a huge pain so while I wouldn’t have parked illegally had I known, it was an acceptable cost of having an easier move, really.

I don’t think I’d ask for any money as the driver, but I felt terrible that she’d done us a favour and got a fine. If she wasn’t doing me a favour at the time I wouldn’t feel the same though.

Tink2007 · 23/04/2018 19:16

It’s catch 22 isn’t it? As the driver she should know better than going down the bus lane but on the flip side she wouldn’t have been using that stretch of road if she hadn’t been going to the concert with all of you.

It’s a tough one because I would still be inclined to say no as she ultimately made the decision to break the law that has given her the fine. I assume none of you told her to use the bus lane?

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AgentHannahWells · 23/04/2018 19:17

I am in a place in my life where I love my mates and can afford an unexpected £10 expense, so I would pay happily. However I have not always had such decent friends or money to spare so I can see both sides.

PinkCalluna · 23/04/2018 19:18

She was driver it’s entirely her responsibility.

I’d probably pay up but I’d be unimpressed and unlikely to travel with her again.

LondonElle · 23/04/2018 19:18

I didn’t offer because I didn’t know until she messaged the WhatsApp group earlier today.
There were 4 passengers and the driver.. so £10 each.

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