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AIBU?

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Original poster

Colleague is blaming me for speeding fine

224 replies

LivingLifeInPink · 27/09/2020 06:55

A few weeks ago I called a friend a colleague with a work related query and he answered while he was driving (handsfree). I didn't know he was driving - we work remotely at the moment.

A week later he received a speeding fine and he's looked at the call logs - it shows he was caught speeding 1 minute into our two minute phone call.

He is saying it's my fault as the call distracted him. It was a static speed camera, not a policeman - ie. the camera is always there and it's a route he takes every day.

I really don't think I'm responsible for his own mistakes.

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 27/09/2020 07:22

Completely his fault, and if he takes a Speed Awareness course he will be told, no matter what the situation, either if a car is up his backside pushing him to go quicker, or in this case if the phone rings, the driver is 100% responsible for their actions in law. He needs to man-up and stop blaming others for being an idiot.

JacobReesMogadishu · 27/09/2020 07:22

Did he say that he thinks it’s your fault.......if so he’s a total twat.

Or was he having a grumble and saying he wish he hadn’t answered the phone as he now realises it distracted him. Which is less of a twat?

ApolloandDaphne · 27/09/2020 07:24

He chose to answer the call even though he didn't have to. He is entirely responsible for speeding.

BarbaraofSeville · 27/09/2020 07:26

Would it have been your fault if he'd had an accident instead?

He's being ridiculous of course so he should obviously pay the fine without a fuss. Even better, if there's an offer of a speed awareness course he should take it because it sounds like he really needs to go on one.

He probably doesn't want to make a fuss at work because many employers ban any phone use while driving, including hands free, because it's known to be distracting so he could be opening a can of worms and setting himself up for a disciplinary. You, of course are blameless in this situation as you don't know if he's free to take a call, that's entirely his decision to make.

captainpantbeard · 27/09/2020 07:27

Is he actually serious? What a prick

ComicePear · 27/09/2020 07:28

How can you be responsible if you didn't even know he was driving?!

markzuckerbergsgreytshirt · 27/09/2020 07:32

Of course you're not responsible and must companies have policies in place where you cannot take calls whilst driving.

Don't let him blame you for this. What a twat he is.

Pobblebonk · 27/09/2020 07:32

@MinesAPintOfTea

It would be a disciplinary offence for me to answer the phone whilst driving if on work time/work calls. So I don't...
Presumably it's not a disciplinary offence on a hands free if it's a work call, as OP's was?
mathanxiety · 27/09/2020 07:34

He's a cheeky fucker as well as a bad driver.

MinesAPintOfTea · 27/09/2020 07:41

@Pobblebonk it might be allowed for the op's organisation to take work calls whilst driving, but my point is that that is not universal. In my company (and common across my industry) it would breach a h&s rule that is backed up with disciplinary action...

44PumpLane · 27/09/2020 07:42

Where I used to work there was a policy of no telephone calls whilst driving, not even while hands free and it was a disciplinary offence.

Taking calls is a distraction, the person on the other end can't see what you're seeing and therefore doesn't pause the conversation when you're in a tricky spot like they wouod if sat in the car next to you.

Having said that it was his choice to answer the phone, his driving that caused the speeding ticket, this is nothing to do with you OP!

Pobblebonk · 27/09/2020 07:43

What does he expect you to do about this, OP? If he is trying to bully you into paying his fine or anything similar, you need to take this issue to his managers and HR.

Beautiful3 · 27/09/2020 07:43

I choose to never answer my phone while driving because I get distracted. The driver is responsible for their own driving. I cannot believe that he is blaming you!

ToastedEnglishMuffin · 27/09/2020 07:43

He's angry and rather than blaming himself, where the true fault lies, it is easier to blame you.

RepeatSwan · 27/09/2020 07:46

Oh he's just being childish.

CoffeeAndABook · 27/09/2020 07:47

How can you be responsible? If he is behind the wheel he is 100/% in charge. If he gets distracted when taking calls, he absolutely should not be doing this and should switch off now as he will kill someone

FixTheBone · 27/09/2020 07:51

If he feels that strongly about it, he has the option of going to court to argue his case....

Onadifferentuniverse · 27/09/2020 07:53

Of course it wasn’t your fault
It’s not your responsibility to ask everyone if they’re driving when you ring them and even if you did, they’re driving and are responsible for their road safety, if he’s blaming being on his phone for speeding he’s lucky he wasn’t in an accident if he’s so unaware.

The audacity of him blaming you...

WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty · 27/09/2020 07:53

Was he not joking? I got blamed by a parent when I was a teen for them speeding, as the journey they was taking was for me, all said in jest and because that parent was feeling suitably embarrassed and annoyed at themselves, but it was their type of humour, not meant seriously at all.

Doliv63 · 27/09/2020 07:54

HAHaHa...of course you are not responsible for another person’s driving!! I actually cannot believe the CF said that !

Lochroy · 27/09/2020 07:55

Tell him you called the police to own up and now they'd like to speak to him about driving without due care and attention.

TitsOutForHarambe · 27/09/2020 07:55

I hope you laughed when he suggested it

ivykaty44 · 27/09/2020 07:59

Tell him to report it that he was on the phone at the time & distraced by the phone conversation and the police then can do him for careless driving

FabulouslyFab · 27/09/2020 08:01

@Shooglywheel

This is where the phrase “Aye,right” with a raised eyebrow works well.
Brilliant!!!
MagnoliaXYZ · 27/09/2020 08:02

Absolutely not your fault.

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