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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

HSMMaCM · 22/12/2015 21:47

If you told him to park there then I think you should pay. However he was the one driving and should have stopped legally.

HicDraconis · 22/12/2015 21:52

Tricky one, as he was driving and it's his responsibility to make sure his car is stopped legally - but he was doing you a favour in dropping your son off.

I would probably try and appeal it based on it being a very short time frame during which presumably he didn't get out of the car and that his wheels were barely on the hazard markings going by how you describe it.

Failing that, I'd at least offer to go halves with him. Technically he should pay, but morally if he hadn't had to stop to drop your son off he wouldn't have the fine now, so... arse splinters from fence sitting. Half and half.

Mmmmcake123 · 22/12/2015 21:58

It is wholly the drivers responsibility they should pay. If I made that mistake when pulling in I would be gutted but accept it as my error, as he should have found somewhere else to pull in. However, if DS was going to be late he may have felt pressured to get him there on time.
If you weren't better off at the mo I would let him pay it but seeing as though you are I would offer.
If he accepts I wouldn't hold it against him as you shouldn't offer if you don't mean it.

Original poster

VelvetSpoon · 22/12/2015 22:02

He could appeal. But the fine doubles if you do, and aren't successful. The parking enforcement in this area is pretty draconian, and there aren't many successful appeals (lots of people get fined for having their blue badges/residents permits upside down, that kind of thing). So even though I think the offence was questionable, there's a risk in appealing, and an additional financial penalty.

The area where he stopped basically used to be another driveway to the school (there are about 3 entrances) but has been blocked off, so no cars can go in or out but lots of people use it as a place to pull in off the main road. Bf's car was inside in but because his car is quite wide, the edge of his offside wheel was just touching 2 of the 'points' of the hazard. And of course we did 'stop' in the sense that we were stationary, DS got out etc.

I don't remember if I said 'there's a gap'. I might have done. But if he'd pulled into the space a bit more - or ignored me and stopped further up the road - then he wouldn't have been fined (presumably).

Anyway, my decision was that I'd pay, which seems to have been the majority opinion on here. If Bf was working, I'd suggest splitting it, but as he's got no income currently, I think it's only fair I pay it all.

OP posts:

Blu · 22/12/2015 22:28

Usually if you appeal and lose you get the same 'period of grace' to pay the reduced fine. If they turn your appeal down (they always do) then you have a period within which you can still pay the reduced amount.
But if the camera showed the wheel
On the markings, no matter how little and how briefly, they won't allow an appeal. Not in London,
Bad luck.

whois · 22/12/2015 22:37

I'd split it

Original poster

VelvetSpoon · 22/12/2015 23:36

Well the standard fine is £110, but it's halved to £55 if you pay quickly. So I'll be paying it. I could afford £110 but I don't think either of us want the hassle of a (probably unsuccessful) appeal.

I know he feels awkward about me paying it all, but he really hasn't got much money at present, so it seems fair that I sort it out.

OP posts:

descalina · 22/12/2015 23:44

He should pay, but if money is tight for him I'd offer because he was doing you a favour and it would be a nice thing for you to do. If he was working though I'd say he should pay, as the driver it is his responsibility.

CFSsucks · 22/12/2015 23:50

I think he should pay at least towards it. He was the driver and he didn't pull in enough and was touching the lines, that is his responsibility.

Jinglebells99 · 23/12/2015 00:05

Tbh I think he should pay. It was his mistake, he was the driver. It doesn't seem to be a huge favour to drop your son off, it was on the way. It was his responsibility to find a safe place to park. Kind of you to offer tho.

Clare1971 · 23/12/2015 00:06

You sound nice OP. Sometimes it's not about who's right and wrong, it's about being kind.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 23/12/2015 04:02

His driving his responsibility BUT given that he wouldn't be stopping save for the kid drop-off, and the op earning and in relationship... Decent thing to do is as you've agreed and you to pay.

purplefizz26 · 23/12/2015 07:29

People saying things like "he was doing you a favour" "he wouldn't be there if it wasn't for taking your kids to school" etc etc etc

The OP didn't make him park in a stupid place he chose to take that risk, not her!

Collaborate · 23/12/2015 08:25

Assuming he drives you everywhere for free, I'd say you should pay it. Well done for doing so.

RubbleBubble00 · 23/12/2015 08:37

I think it's nice your paying. If he was working I'd say 50:50. Sure it will balance in long run when bf gets some work

Blu · 23/12/2015 08:45

But I'm still interested in what the lines actually were? What are hazard lines?

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