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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:
Walkaround · 27/09/2020 09:53

Hahahaha. Tell him to say that to the powers that be - then he can be prosecuted for careless driving, too. He chose to have his phone switched on while driving. He chose to answer his phone. He chose to be in a car driving when he should have been working from home.

newmumwithquestions · 27/09/2020 09:53

Sorry just realised he was hands free.
Even so he’s a cheeky fucker.

Totally his fault

ithinkiveseenthisfilmbefore · 27/09/2020 09:54

It's completely on him, the driver.

Makes you wonder if he felt he had to answer a work phone call because it was during work hours and he was meant to be 'available' and assumed to be actually working...

Purplewithred · 27/09/2020 09:55

When XDH and I were newly divorced and at Peak Twattery he dropped DCs home when I had a skip in the drive. He reversed his shiny new penis extension car into the skip. And then tried to blame me.

I did post here asking for opinions, and was met with a wave of hysterical laughter.

This is entirely his fault and he is a twat.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 27/09/2020 10:00

Surely it was a tongue in cheek comment OP and he doesn't actually blame anyone but himself? What exactly did he say?

ASandwichNamedKevin · 27/09/2020 10:05

When I read the title I assumed they were trying to say you were driving at the time of the fine! That would be the only way you would be to blame.

My work does not allow us to take calls while driving.
If he was supposed to be WFH he still didn't have to take the call. I don't if I'm in a meeting, or answering the front door, or at the toilet or whatever, I return the call.

cdtaylornats · 27/09/2020 10:06

Suggest he uses that excuse to argue the fine in court and see if he can get it thrown out in favour of driving without due care and attention.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 27/09/2020 10:08

See my username? That's what to say to him.

Seriously, he's being ridiculous. You weren't to know he was driving. The only person responsible is the driver.

BreconBeBuggered · 27/09/2020 10:09

He HAS to be joking. Surely? Whether he means it or not, the only reasonable way to respond is as if he's having a laugh.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 27/09/2020 10:09

I hope he put it in writing. Then you can send it on to your line manager, his line manager, HR and Uncle Tom Cobberly and all!

Imloosingmyshit · 27/09/2020 10:12

Haha haha. Hahahahahahha. Hahahahaha. Hahahahaha. Can he hear himself????? HahahahhahaGrin

MitziK · 27/09/2020 10:16

Oh, dear. Perhaps he could take a refresher course like people do when they've forgotten how to drive legally?

markzuckerbergsgreytshirt · 27/09/2020 10:17

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?*

Any phone calls including hands free ones result in a disciplinary offence from (most) workplaces. Don't drive and take calls. Don't blame your colleague for your speeding fine. It was his foot on the pedals, he was driving, he should be aware of the speed limit in the area he was driving and he could see the number on the dashboard of the speed he was travelling at.

I bet he blames colleagues for other things too! Are you a woman? If so, do you think he'd blame a male colleague for this? Angry

Griselda1 · 27/09/2020 10:19

Ask him has he notified his employer as he was obviously breaking the law whilst working.

acatcalledjohn · 27/09/2020 10:19

@cdtaylornats

Suggest he uses that excuse to argue the fine in court and see if he can get it thrown out in favour of driving without due care and attention.

^ This.

Once you've finished laughing, of course.

CheetasOnFajitas · 27/09/2020 10:24

@Elai1978

What? Don’t understand this.

Someone offered to pay a speeding fine because I was on the way to see them and were relieved that it was me who got done as opposed to them.

Nope, still makes no sense. Why would that person have been driving at 100mph on a 60 limit road? Why were you doing 80?
CandyLeBonBon · 27/09/2020 10:26

@HarryElephante

I think you're responsible.
Are you the colleague? How can the op be responsible for the actions of another person they can't see? If the colleague gets distracted by a phone call then they shouldn't take the call!
Elai1978 · 27/09/2020 10:27

Nope, still makes no sense. Why would that person have been driving at 100mph on a 60 limit road? Why were you doing 80?

Because back then my step dad was not known for hanging about and it was lucky I’d been driving as at 80 I escaped with a 3 point FPN. Had he been driving down that road at that time he’d have been going significantly quicker and not been so lucky.

C8H10N4O2 · 27/09/2020 10:28

He is a responsibility shirking dick.

Arthur08 · 27/09/2020 10:35

Easily distracted, poor driver!

Kazakaren · 27/09/2020 10:40

Clearly the police think it's his fault, otherwise they would have sent the fine to you instead 😉

Candyflosscookie · 27/09/2020 10:50

Depends what you said. If you called saying where the hell are you? We need you back at the office NOW. Then I’d think you might have contributed to the speeding.

Absolute, absolute bullshit. The driver is and always will be responsible for their own driving and staying legal. And how fast was he going to be caught after one minute?? What a ridiculous comment Plan! Angry

DGRossetti · 27/09/2020 10:51

Since it's been proven that even handsfree, using a phone while driving is at least as bad as being over the limit ...

www.theguardian.com/science/2006/jun/30/mobilephones.uknews

mythresults.com/dangerous-driving

Once you know that, it becomes remarkably simple. Use a phone while driving and you are an idiot.

Download and configure a real "driving app" that switches calls to voicemail when it pairs with your cars bluetooth - and sends an SMS to any callers saying "driving right now". That way you can confirm your intelligence while remaining safe on the road and keeping your license clean at the same time.

Sounds like a plan to me.

LindaEllen · 27/09/2020 11:04

The driver, and the driver alone, has full responsibility for the speed they go in the car. If being on the phone is distracting to him, he shouldn't answer the phone while driving, or should pull over as soon as possible if it might be an important call.

It might have been just as you phoned him, but it's more than likely he was speeding before - that's just when he passed the camera!

Also, has he actually shown you any evidence of the time? It seems like such a bizarre thing to link. I don't think I'd think to look down my call logs to see who I'd been talking to at the time!

mumwon · 27/09/2020 11:39

@Parkandride so what happened than? (you realize I read right through to find out! don't leave your story hanging without an end!tut! Grin )

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