Money Moral Dilemma: Should my husband's friends help pay his parking fine?

[Deleted User]

I had a similar situation a couple of years ago when I parked in a car park and displayed my Blue Badge, little knowing the rules had changed in my town and Blue Badge holders now need to pay for parking in the car parks. I had two friends in the car that day but as I was the driver, it was my responsibility to double-check the car park rules before we left. It would never have occurred to me to ask my friends to contribute. Having said that, if I’d been in their shoes I admit I would have felt duty-bound to offer to pay towards the fine! I suppose the ideal scenario would be for your husband’s friends to at least offer, and for your husband to thank them for being considerate, but refuse to accept anything.

ambioni

Would he expect his friends to go thirds on a speeding fine while driving them too? or cover the cost of a fine if he drove without insurance? or share the blame if he knocked a cyclist off their bike? of course not!! the driving and parking of the car is the driver's responsibility, no-one else's and the fine is his alone to pay.

ash5896

It’s the drivers responsibility to ensure his parked correctly like the last poster would he expect his friends to pay for a speeding fine or any offence he commits whilst driving. 

[Deleted User]

Oh, come on.  It would be unusual to be able to park for an unlimited time in a supermarket car park nowadays, and we all know that.  I suspect that the terms would have been clearly displayed, and if they weren't, your husband should have checked.  Why didn't he, or did he know and think it was worth the risk, but having gambled and lost now doesn't want to face the consequences?  Either way, it is his responsibility.  He abused the car park, he should pay up and look happy, or miserable, but pay up.  Perhaps he'll check/not risk it another time.  Unless his friends knew he was deliberately taking the risk it would be a nice gesture to share the cost.

dizzy_den

Yes most certainly the fine should be divided by all of you.  One point though if you still have the Supermarket receipt write and say it was a real mistake on your part, be sure to say both that you apologise also that you were a visitor to their ‘beautiful’ area saying you will be more careful if you return.
Good Luck

puds15

Yes, absolutely!  Everyone should share the cost!  The driver has the wear and tear on his car, and he’s doing the driving too!
The passengers should be offering to pay their share!

Herzlos

Hoenir said:

Fruitcake said:

If the driver was "totally oblivious to the car park's time restrictions" then the signage must have inadequate and incapable of forming a contract with the motorist. 

Why must have. Around here many motorists are oblivious to what road signage and markings even mean.  Only last week a pedestrian was killed by a motorist in a 20 mph residental zone. Ignorance is no excuse.  There's a growing frustration with the attitude of some people who use the UK's roads. 

Missing a speed limit sign is one thing, not being able to read a deliberately wordy fine print sign provided by a company with a vested interest in you not reading the sign is another. Remember the "parking management company" only make money when people fall foul of their rules and they can issue an invoice.

nero33

Driver's responsibility.

Unless the friends had agreed prior to travelling that they were going to share fuel, parking, wear and tear etc etc costs.

BlueonBlue

Anyone who pays a speculative invoice from a scamming unregulated private parking company (as its not a fine or from any authority) is unfortunately low hanging fruit which is what they the Private Parking Companys ,s prey on .

The only time you must pay unfortunately is when a judge says so .

Groom

Missy15 said:

I disagree, if you all go out together,  you should all chip in for petrol and in this case a fine as well. Somebody had to drive, so why should he be landed with all the costs?

So would that include if he got a speeding fine? It is the driver's responsibility to make sure they park correctly and take a note of the time. Most supermarkets have time limits to prevent people doing what this man did - leaving the car there while he went off for the day, even though he had shopped there first. People who do this prevent other customers from parking. Although the friends may offer to pay towards the fine, he can't demand it.