Colleague is blaming me for speeding fine

[LivingLifeInPink]

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.

@toomanyspiderplants

He is a twat.

Yes he is and a big one at that!

It's like I tell clients when they want to put speeding or parking fines through their accounts, the business did not require them to do that, it was a personal choice!

He chose to not pay attention, if he can't use his hands free safely then he shouldn't be using it. I prefer not to use mine because it can be distracting.

I remember years ago , a friend blamed me for having a car crash because "if he hadn't dropped me home then he wouldn't have been in that place at that time".... no.... it was the fault of the other car who turned their lights off at a four cross way..........

He's a twat for blaming you. How were you to know he was driving?! If he can't take a hands free call without being distracted to the point that he breaks the speed limit,then he shouldn't take the call.

He chose to not pay attention, if he can't use his hands free safely

I humbly submit it's not possible to use hands free safely.

Cherchez la femme unless you're un homme

@DGRossetti

He chose to not pay attention, if he can't use his hands free safely

I humbly submit it's not possible to use hands free safely.

Of course you can, if you're careful on when you press the call receive button.

Most cars have speed limiters they should of set theres at 70mph

What a tool that man is.

I'm not sure about speed limiters, but most modern cars these days have a setting known as cruise control, which is very useful for long distance motorway driving.

I'm with everyone else on this one - the driver is a twat and there is no way you should apologise or pay HIS fine. Anyone who hears their phone ringing whilst they are driving should not even look to see who is calling until they have safely pulled over and stopped the vehicle. If he can't use hands-free, he should turn his phone off or set it to take messages. Do not be bullied into accepting any responsibility for his irresponsible behaviour - maybe having to pay a fine as a consequence of his actions might deter him from repeating his error.

What a dick! No way is it your fault! How could it be? He answered the phone, he went faster, he got caught, if he can't answer his phone without speeding he really shouldn't be driving...

@acatcalledjohn

If you were his manager or boss, and have pressured him to take calls while he's driving, only then would you bear a share of the responsibility.

Of course not. Any court of law would expect you, as the person in charge of the car, to ignore those calls.

As far as criminal law goes you're correct, but morally I stand by what I said. And if an employer expects their staff to take phone calls while driving and there's an accident, then in civil law the employer might well be found partly liable.

Which is why as many other posters have mentioned, most employers now regard work calls while driving as unacceptable.

He’s a dick. Ignore him, if he keeps pursuing it report him to your line manager/HR

He is angry and wants someone to blame... I would ignore him..

His phone should be in the boot of his car. Don't understand how anyone can drive while talking on a phone hands free or not, or smoke a fag, or drink from a coffee cup or have a dangly thingy hanging from the mirror...honestly!!

@Kolsch

You're not responsible, of course not. Only the driver is responsible for their driving.

This

Of course you can, if you're careful on when you press the call receive button.

You dismiss the cites I provided ?

He chose to have handsfree.
He chose to answer a phonecall.
He chose to continue phonecall instead of saying 'can't talk now as I'm trying to focus on my drive'.
He made the car speed up.

His problem.

Report the twat for harassment.

The driver is fully responsible for that vehicle whilst in charge of the vehicle.

If he’s that easily distracted, then he shouldn’t answer calls whilst driving.

Aside from which, if he’s on handsfree, his eyes are still able to look at the road and glance at the dashboard. Unless his eyes answer and talk on the phone instead of his ears and mouth, then he’s perfectly capable of keeping his eyes where they need to be, to ensure he’s driving at the correct speed.

Why was he driving if he should have been working?
Why didn’t he stop to take the call?
Why was his right foot distracted?
He’s a Prick

What @happinessischocolate said!

Whose hands were on the wheel? Whose foot was on the accelerator? Solve those clues and you'll find the person responsible.

Ridiculous. Tell him you are not entertaining his nonsense!

Why was he driving if he should have been working?

He might have had to drive for work purposes.