A speeding driver recently asked their child to “take the hit” to avoid losing their driving licence. The father, caught driving at 64 mph in a 40 mph zone, faced a steep fine of £1,000 and six penalty points. With only three points left before losing his licence, he asked his child to claim responsibility for the offence.
However, the child recognized the legal risks and decided it wasn’t worth it. Posting on Reddit, they explained: “I don’t live with him, and I’m not insured on his car, so any simple check would reveal the truth and could lead to prosecution for both of us.”
The child expressed concern that the case would be scrutinized heavily due to how serious the offence was and doubted that their dad would just receive three points. Instead, a six-month driving ban seemed likely.
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Reactions from the Reddit community were clear and firm. One user warned: “Don’t do it. It’s a criminal offence that can land you both in prison.” Another pointed out the inevitable: “With such a serious speeding offence and accumulated points, a ban is unavoidable.” Others emphasized the importance of responsibility, stating that driving is a privilege, not a right, and that facing the consequences could be a wake-up call for the father.
West Mercia Police’s Road Safety Team further cautioned that attempting to evade speeding penalties by falsely nominating another person amounts to perverting the course of justice—an offence with severe consequences that can include life imprisonment. This criminal conviction carries a permanent record, affecting employment and travel opportunities, unlike penalty points that expire after four years.
Both the original driver and anyone falsely taking responsibility can be investigated and prosecuted if they collude. West Mercia Police have dedicated teams using extensive databases to identify such fraud and ensure offenders are held accountable in court.
This case highlights not only the dangers of speeding but also the serious legal risks in trying to dodge responsibility by involving others unlawfully.