Advice regarding Stupidity!

[systematic]

Hello users,

 

I am really annoyed right now and I was wondering if you were able to offer some advice on the following situation.

 

- My son was caught speeding in a 40mph zone. His recorded speed was 60mph.

 

- Upon receiving the speeding notification, he stupidly nominated his mother as the driver by selecting "I was not the driver at the time of the offence"

 

- His mother has a full UK license. She has not driven a car for many years and She is NOT insured on any vehicle (including my sons)

 

- The documentation has been sent and is likely to arrive in the same format as the original letter addressed to my wife requesting confirmation of whether she was the driver at the time of the alleged offence.

 

- When I asked him why he did this he said he could not afford to take a hit on his clean license and that his "fully comprehensive insurance" covered any driver he gives permission to (third party only). I told him this is ABSOLUTELY FALSE. It would only cover his mum if she herself was insured with a similar clause.

 

What is the best case resolution in this mess? The letter in the name of his mother has not arrived as of yet.

 

- If he says his mother took the car without his consent then she faces - speeding, driving without insurance and taking without consent.

 

- If he retracts and says he gave his mum permission then she will get done (the same 3 offences I presume) and he will get the exact same punishment too (3 offences) - Is that correct.

 

This is a complete mess and I could have done without this hassle today.

 

Many thanks for reading and any advice you may have.

[Conniff]

If it was only a tick box then he could plead 'Oops, wrong box' but as there are other details filled in so unlikely to be an error, he could be up for a far more serious charge.I can't see any way around this other than to get in there first with a guaranteed next day delivery letter telling them what he did and say he did it in naivety and panic.

[systematic]

Or his mother takes the full wrap and takes the 3 charges? What is that likely to result in? She is close to 50, hasn't driven for many years and has a clean full UK driving license.

 

I know this sounds like a bad bad option but Im wondering if he/we are likely to end up in even deeper **** if he tries to retract his submission. The document he completed was sent over 3 days ago.

Edited September 4, 2012 by systematic

[Conniff]

Now you're talking helping to purpetrate a crime, that doesn't warrant a reply.

[systematic]

You are right. We cannot go ahead with this.

 

Can we not renominate him as the driver? We have spoken to him and he is prepared to deal with the consequences,

 

Will my wife will receive the same notification he did i.e. a choice to admit guilt or nominate the driver?

[Conniff]

Yes, but get in there before action is taken and they find out. Do as I said above and let him plead naivety and panic. Saying he was scared might be all they are after so will just apply the normal penalty.

[systematic]

Yes, but get in there before action is taken and they find out. Do as I said above and let him plead naivety and panic. Saying he was scared might be all they are after so will just apply the normal penalty.

 

I will call first thing in the morning and explain there has been a confusion and the wrong driver has been identified/nominated on the form?

 

Just to play the worst case scenario, what happens if I find the letter delivered in my wifes name tomorrow morning? Can I still call up and have it changed back or will they have conducted all checks by then?

[dw190]

I will call first thing in the morning and explain there has been a confusion and the wrong driver has been identified/nominated on the form?

 

Just to play the worst case scenario, what happens if I find the letter delivered in my wifes name tomorrow morning? Can I still call up and have it changed back or will they have conducted all checks by then?

 

She could return the form naming the correct driver.

 

It is not mentioned what device recorded the offence but if it was a forward facing mobile unit the drivers face is usually quite clear.

[crem]

On the small issue of insurance, you say if his policy states "any driver" then why do you think his mother also has to have seperate insurance? If his policy covers her, then it covers her; she doesn't need another policy. Anyway, thet is only a side issue the main event.

 

If/when his mother's letter arrives, she can do as he did and re-nominate him as the driver. If challenged he could say he simply mixed up the day his mother borrowed the car and having now reviewed they have both realised he was the driver using the car on the day in question. I think if he goes for the "I panicked and lied" route, there is a danger they may add a charge of "attempting to perverse the course of justice" to his list of offences!

[CHRIS44G]

You`ll be OK if your MP is Chris Huhne