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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Who should pay parking fine...WWYD?

66 replies

VelvetSpoon · 22/12/2015 20:25

I should start by saying I don't drive - or can't drive, or whatever the appropriate expression is on MN. I have a car, but no driving licence. I've taken tests and failed in the past, I intend to try again in the New Year.

So if I travel anywhere by car, it's mostly with my boyfriend in his car (him driving, obviously).

Recently, we were on our way out in the morning, and gave my DS a lift to school (it's only a 10 min walk, but as we were passing the school anyway it made sense to give him a lift). So dropped him off, and carried on our journey. We dropped him in a small inlet/layby (it's only just about the length of a car). Outside the layby ie on the edge of the road, are hazard markings.

You've probably guessed what's coming next - when bf's car pulled up, it wasn't quite fully in the layby, and one of his offside wheels was just touching the hazards for the 15 seconds we stopped. This was all caught by one of those camera cars - so it's quite clear evidence and unlikely any appeal would work (even though he was barely touching the markings, and we only stopped for a short time).

So there's a fine to pay. Bf and I don't live together, separate finances. He's not working at present (taking a few months off after a contract ended), and earlier this month had to fork out a few hundred pounds after some vandalism to his car. I am working, and generally in a better financial position (although things are a bit tight this month due to Xmas and that I've just spent nearly £2000 on having work done at my house...it's his car, but he was doing me a favour dropping off DS...

So taking all that into account, who in your view should pay? I've already almost certainly decided in my own mind, just interested in some other opinions.

OP posts:
JemimaHighway · 22/12/2015 20:28

You

RedSoloCup · 22/12/2015 20:28

Split it....

V awkward is this London I've not heard of the camera parking thingies?

ProudAS · 22/12/2015 20:28

Your BF was driving - he's the one who didn't park legally - might like to think about what's best for your relationship though.

TeenAndTween · 22/12/2015 20:29

you should pay

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 22/12/2015 20:29

I think I would appeal it.

RedSoloCup · 22/12/2015 20:30

Interesting link

ilovesooty · 22/12/2015 20:30

He's responsible for adhering to traffic regulations but I think it would be nice if you offered to pay half.

TheBunnyOfDoom · 22/12/2015 20:30

Driver should pay.

RiverTam · 22/12/2015 20:30

You should or you should split it.

EponasWildDaughter · 22/12/2015 20:31

You should pay IMO.

RedSoloCup · 22/12/2015 20:31

Doesn't sound enforceable to me?

tibbawyrots · 22/12/2015 20:32

I would offer to pay it - take a chance 🌝

lighteningirl · 22/12/2015 20:32

You should pay but he's a twunt if he lets you

Nonidentifyingnc · 22/12/2015 20:33

I want to say him - as the driver it is his responsibility to drive and park legally. You didn't make him park there! Otoh, he was doing you a favour and you can afford it more than him, so on balance I think you should offer.
have splinters in my arse from sitting on the fence

Goingtobeawesome · 22/12/2015 20:34

Obviously he should as he was the driver but depending on whether he is a nice bloke or a twat, go halves?

Meow75 · 22/12/2015 20:34

When I was a volunteer driver during the London 2012Olympics, it was made BLATANTLY clear to us that any driving violations were down to us and LOCOG would in no way pay any fines or back up a driver that decided to act outside the laws of the road. You didn't MAKE him stop incorrectly, but to be kind I MIGHT offer to pay half. Depending on his attitude.

balletgirlmum · 22/12/2015 20:34

He should, you had no control over how the car pulled up.

Nonidentifyingnc · 22/12/2015 20:34

I do think that if he was my bf and I offered and he took me up on it, I would think less of him. Although he might think less of you for not offering.

rainbowstardrops · 22/12/2015 20:37

Wow, that's a tricky one! On one hand, it was your partner driving and therefore his responsibility as to how he drove/parked but on the other hand, he was taking your child to school.

That doesn't help does it?!!!!

If he'd been caught speeding then I guess I'd say he should pay but as it was your child and you are financially better off then I think I'd say to go halves.

kilmuir · 22/12/2015 20:38

he was the one in control of car, his fault. Why are you responsible?

MaidOfStars · 22/12/2015 20:41

His fault, he should pay. Nice if you offered to split it, but not at all an obligation on your part. I am baffled at the idea it could be anything other than his responsibility.

MaidOfStars · 22/12/2015 20:42

Actually, if you told him to 'pull over there, it will be alright for one minute', maybe you become responsible (morally, not legally).

HaPPy8 · 22/12/2015 20:44

I think you should pay.

LaLyra · 22/12/2015 20:44

I'd offer to pay half since he was doing you a favour, but really it's his responsibility. It wouldn't be down to you to pay a speeding fine he'd got outside the school.

Unless, was your idea to drop your DS there? If so definatley half.

Floralnomad · 22/12/2015 20:44

If I were you I would pay , if he wasn't dropping your son off he wouldn't have been there , don't you get it cheaper if you pay quickly .

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