Money Moral Dilemma: Should we contribute to my brother's bus lane fine?

*max*

Yes.

Unless you were there actively looking at the road, warning him he shouldn't drive there and he told you "Pah. I'll be fine", then you should absolutely pay up.

He gave up his time to do you a favour, whilst you were off enjoying yourself.

Pay up. And he's your frickin brother! You shouldn't even have to ask.

mikezoe65

It happened to me in Bath and student daughter and I insisted she paid half. I had intended to avoid driving in the centre (new to me but aware it's a nightmare) but arriving at her student house in the north of Bath, she asked me to drive through the centre to the station to pick up some railway tickets (she could easily have got them the day before). She readily agreed to pay half!

Paddy_Belfast

Yes! My sister got a fine while doing me a favour. I paid the full £45. It would have cost more in taxis. Plus, one good turn deserves another.

Teacher2

I don't think you are morally obliged to pay as it was the driver's decision or mistake to enter the bus lane.

However, it might be a nice gesture since your brother was doing you a favour by giving you a lift to a party he was also attending.

Nonetheless, the incident should make you wary and in future you should agree terms before you take a favour. In general terms a driver is solely responsible for his or her driving decisions. Had the driver harmed anyone as a result of his driving decisions in this case it would manifestly not be the responsibility of his passengers.

Jagraf

Depends where your morals lie, as in the subject. It's no dilemma morally. Of course you should pay it all. I don't think I would have asked anyone to put themselves out so much in the first place.

pigpen

no.. he knows the rules, took the chance and was making the journey anyway ...


He was making the journey whether you went or not and would have driven in it regardless of your presence.


seems odd though.. our bus lanes are in operation 3.5 hours a day in one direction and the same in the other to reduce rush hour congestion.. ending at 6pm at the latest..

nearlyrich09

I can't believe she's even asking this question. On New Years Eve, her brother drove her and her boyfriend for 4 hours! If the fine was £8, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days, that's less than £14 each, split between the three of them. Of course they should pay up - no question aboit it. I hope they weren't all such skinflints at that party. I can just imagine the scene in my mind's eye - all the"partygoers" each carefully guarding their own contribution of a supermarket own brand 4-pack of lager and two packets of crisps. Some fun party that would have been - NOT! :beer: ;)

pigpen

no.

It was a journey he was making whether you were there or not so not actually doing you a favour which would imply he was putting himself out in some way.

He knows the bus lane rules and chose to take the chance.

Hopefully he will learn something.

It's not your responsibility .. had he broken some other law/rule it would not have been your responsibility.. even if you told him to do it!


Are people deliberately ignoring the fact that he was going to the party anyway so not actually doing anyone a favour? A favour implies you are doing something out of your schedule to help someone out.. he wasn't.. and it was his suggestion they had a lift with him.. passengers are not in charge of the vehicle so not responsible for any laws/rules broken... unless they grab the wheel and drag the driver off road.

dogsbody69

he passed the driving test he should be a responsible driver. You do not accidentally stray into a bus lane, he was not concentrating, perhaps this will teach him to drive more carefully. Offer to assist him in completing the Institute of Advanced Motoring course which will teach him proper road sense and make him a responsible driver. :T

Cimscate

I'm more amazed the brother would ask to be honest.
I once got a parking fine whilst out with my sister, she insisted on paying half as neither of us noticed the signs but I never expected her to and wouldn't have asked. Also was driving in London last year and did stray into a bus lane but got away with it! Wouldn't have expected my passenger to contribute to that either. My car, I'm the driver, my responsibility.