To think means tested fines are unfair?

[walkingonthebeach]

Hi

I'm not a mum even though I am on 'mums' net, I joined as I was contemplating being a single parent. However I am just wondering what others think about this?

A few months ago I was speeding. I'm honestly not an inconsiderate driver and it was a very genuine mistake (I thought it was 40mph and it was 30: I was doing 36.) I would happily have taken my fine. The problem was I forgot about it - stupid I know but it did coincide with some pretty horrible personal stuff and it just got pushed to the back of my mind. I got fined then for witholding information and because I am on quite a high salary I've got the hugest fine which to be honest I don't know how I am going to pay and I don't know what to do!

It just seems really unfair: I wouldn't get a longer prision sentence because I earn more, so why is my fine higher? :(

x

Can you not negotiate a payment plan with the court? 1/2 your earnings in one lump sum IS a lot, regardless of how much it is or how much you earn.

I know Kirsty but unfortuantely something did happen (not the fine.) To be completely honest I had months of just absolute hell at work - really nasty bullying. I had to find another job but in this climate I struggled. I did eventually manage to do so but it was barely commutable so bought another house but am waiting to move into it hence why my petrol costs are so huge - that will go down when I move in. Really difficult. :( I thought I had made arrangements to pay gradually through court but it appears I haven't? So much of my energy was spent finding another post over the past six months (and adapting to my new and demanding role which unfortunately is only a tiny bit more money) that to be honest everything else did just get put aside I'm not making excuses - well I suppose I am a bit - but honestly, it's all just been horrible and I have been really, really stressed. :(

Of course... I understand that you can have a comfortable salary and had ahd personal problems that mean you aren't really as rich as you seem. I'm just saying that the problem doesn't really seem to be the fact that the fine is means tested (in general half of monthly salary is easier for someone on a high salary than for someone on the breadline). The problem is that it's coming at a bad time for you.

op are you in UK because you don't normally have to provide licence/insurance details for speeding ? If so, when dh got caught on a camera recently it came to me as registered keeper and if it had been me driving all I had to do was sign to confirm and return it. As it was I provided dh's details adn he was subsequently offered a speed awareness course instead. You must have ignored several pieces of correspondence to get to court , genuine mistake or not. It would only have been a flat rate and points otherwise so yabu to complain now it has gone so far.