Author Topic: Photo Radar (Read 2331 times)

HeliDriver · « **on:** September 08, 2008, 06:28:10 pm »

My wife's sister and her husband were in town visiting for a couple of weeks this summer. Being a somewhat generous guy, I let them borrow my car for a couple of trips around town.

So, two weeks later, in today's mail I get a !#!@$# photo radar ticket, with a clear picture of my brother-in-law behind the wheel!

Now, I'm not pissed off at him (he was doing 79 in a 60 zone - a perfectly reasonable speed IMO, and one that 80% of the motoring public drives at on that stretch of road), but still, I'm not happy to be stuck with the $120 fine (which, as the registered owner of the vehicle, I am

).

So, what would you do? Suck it up and pay the fine, or risk an awkward family moment and ask him to pay up?

(If it makes any difference, I might also add that he returned my car with an empty tank of gas when he left.

)

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2008, 06:33:02 pm »

I would send him the picture and ticket and tell him to pay it
But only fack $120 for 19 over the limited

RunsinLight · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2008, 07:06:46 pm »

I guess you don't get demerit points for getting caught by Photo radar?

rrocket · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2008, 07:10:58 pm »

Are you kidding me? You have to even ask??

Send him the bill....just like if you rang up a bill on HIS car you wouldn't be offended paying it...

Brig · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2008, 07:11:38 pm »

I would definitely mention it to both of them, and wait for a response. If there's no offer to cover it, you can then suggest that they rent a car next time they're in town, because yours will be off-limits.

I'm the type that would certainly pay you, but that's just me.

ovr50 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2008, 07:12:59 pm »

I agree, I would send the ticket to the bro-in-law and I would probably include a "humorous" comment to lighten the tone a bit. Something like "I'm more than happy to loan you my car and let you burn up my gas, but speeding tickets are "over to you" good buddy".

tenpenny · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2008, 07:15:35 pm »

I would start by paying it myself (don't need those unpaid tickets on my record), but I'd send him a copy, with note that he's a pretty camera-friendly guy.

It's unlikely that he's even aware of it, being photo radar. I'd be embarrassed if I were him, I'd apologize, and pay you back immediately.

quadzilla · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2008, 07:21:08 pm »

Send him a copy in a funny Hallmark card with a note.

"Cash only please."

Snowman · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2008, 08:06:26 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on September 08, 2008, 07:11:38 pm

I would definitely mention it to both of them, and wait for a response. If there's no offer to cover it, you can then suggest that they rent a car next time they're in town, because yours will be off-limits.

I'm the type that would certainly pay you, but that's just me.

and get a hotel room.

dr_spock · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2008, 08:21:54 pm »

79 in a 60 zone is still breaking the law. He should man up and pay the fine. Include a service charge for the gas.

random006 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2008, 08:53:25 pm »

It's a family style pickle to be sure. However, your brother-in-law is responsible for the mess so he should clean it up and reimburse you. I think the idea of you paying it up front is the best course of action for your legal self preservation. Getting your wife to speak to her sister is a good way to go about it, given that it is her family.

As far as the gas goes, well I think you might have to eat that one but for what it's worth, he is in the wrong there too. Does he normally behave like that with other people's stuff? If so, it sounds like he is at best a bit thoughtless and at worst, a leech.

Triple Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2008, 08:58:18 pm »

Make him pay, short debts make long friends.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2008, 09:48:57 pm »

Some new info from my wife (who was also in the car when they got the ticket): it happened on a day that I was using my wife's truck, so her sister and brother-in-law were using my car to come pick her up at work. Since they were basically running errands for us, it now seems kind of cheap to ask them to pay.

Since it's my wife's family, I'll let her deal with it. She's going to tell her sister about the ticket, but is planning to joke about it and refuse to let them pay.

Anyway, they're decent people, so I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to pay. As for the gas, I wouldn't be surprised if they had offered to fill the tank, but my wife told them to forget about it. She has some funny (i.e. extremely gracious) notions about what it means to be hosting guests.

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2008, 09:52:40 pm »

^^^^When can I come over for a visit?

wing · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2008, 09:54:29 pm »

Oh that clears things up more... I was going to comment on the gas.

I borrow cars and go like 50km and put $5 in because gas is so damn expensive these days.

quadzilla · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2008, 10:15:58 pm »

Quote from: SiRCivic on September 08, 2008, 09:48:57 pm

Some new info from my wife (who was also in the car when they got the ticket): it happened on a day that I was using my wife's truck, so her sister and brother-in-law were using my car to come pick her up at work. Since they were basically running errands for us, it now seems kind of cheap to ask them to pay.

Since they were basically running errands for us, it now seems kind of cheap to ask them to pay.

So if they drove your car into a brick wall while running errands for you that is also ok? I'd have no troubles asking him to pay, I don't care who it is.

When you use somebody elses car, you pay for gas and what ever else happens....its the unwritten rule I thought.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2008, 10:16:51 pm »

Quote from: RunsinLight on September 08, 2008, 07:06:46 pm

I guess you don't get demerit points for getting caught by Photo radar?

Nope. Nobody cares who was driving the car. All they want is their money.

If work isn't too busy that morning, I'll probably go to court and hope it gets thrown out. The first (and only) time I got one of these, the photo radar operator didn't bother to show up in court, meaning the ticket was thrown out and I paid nothing.

Note that I said "photo radar operator" and not "police officer". Around here, it's a private company that runs the photo radar, not the police.

If those bastards want my money, they can damn well come to court and earn it.

prufrock · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2008, 10:39:36 pm »

Given the circumstances, I'd pay the bill but insist the BIL take me out for a nice steak dinner -- with drinks -- next time in town.

It's easier paying someone back a bit when you are enjoying yourself doing it.

Zoo · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2008, 11:52:00 pm »

Quote from: prufrock on September 08, 2008, 10:39:36 pm

Given the circumstances, I'd pay the bill but insist the BIL take me out for a nice steak dinner -- with drinks -- next time in town.

It's easier paying someone back a bit when you are enjoying yourself doing it.

This sounds like the best option to me...

The Fuzz · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2008, 04:20:38 am »

Quote from: SiRCivic on September 08, 2008, 10:16:51 pm

Note that I said "photo radar operator" and not "police officer". Around here, it's a private company that runs the photo radar, not the police.

Yay! For once we're off the hook and not being called every name under the sun!

Ask him to pay it. Any self-respecting person would without a second thought.