Money Moral Dilemma: Should we pay for driving fines that weren't our fault?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

On holiday in Italy we hired a car with another couple. We saved money by only selecting one driver (from the other couple) who was then caught speeding four times and was fined €200 for parking in a disabled zone, despite our warnings. They've now been charged €400 for the fines and want us to pay half - should we?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!

Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? [URL="mailto: mmd@moneysavingexpert.com"]Suggest an MMD[/URL].

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

JGB1955

I wouldn't pay anything - it was the driver's choice to speed and park illegally.

hollie.weimeraner

NO No NO If it had been UK they would also have collected penalty points would they have asked you to take some of the points? (And then risk a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice).

EssexExile

Why would anyone pay anyone else's fines?

bradders1983

I have seen some very silly "dilemmas" on this forum but this one has to be up there with the most stupid one ever posted.

Forum mods, give your heads a shake.

f4phixeruk

No. Would also think twice about holidaying with this driver. In fact would be loathe to get in a car with them full stop.

richardw

....say Nope.

Caz3206

I have a related story. I know someone who is always the designated driver for holidays, not really by choice.

On a recent holiday she vented her frustration at Spain's road rules, and how confusing it was. The conclusion was that she told the passengers that if she was to get a fine while taxi-ing them around, she would ask them to share the cost. They agreed.

I think this is ok because they know her driving ability, and because she told them in advance of the rewuirement. I don't think you can do it retrospectively, especially if the passengers advised against the decision.

I would say though, that I wouldn't agree to be driven by anyone with different values in this than me, and would rather pay more for travel than argue about it.

IslandLife

How many times did you warn them not to speed and park in unsuitable places?
If you were very vocal about it, then don't pay.

I think there will probably be some fall out from this, but *shrug*, serves them right for driving dangerously.

As a rule of thumb, I don't agree to drive anyone for the duration of a trip, regardless of cost. I've done it once, and it's such a pain in the !!!, everyone else gets to relax. Whilst I'm freaking out about which turn to take, and the weirdness of the rental car.

REJP

Another unbelievable dilemma....!
Of course you don't pay if you really did warn the driver he or she was doing wrong.
Speeding 4 times? Why let that person continue driving?
As noted by another forumite, if the driver gets a prison sentence would you go halves on that?
I didn't think so.

marich

This again is not a dilemma .


As others have said , it is up to the driver to take responsibility for their actions .


So where is the dilemma ?