Stephensons, a national law firm has warned fleet and company car drivers that telling ‘white lies’ to avoid getting points on their licence is one of the “most serious offences”.
The company has said that it has seen an increase in people asking family or friends to take the points on their behalf, despite the risks that this involves.
“Sadly, deliberate deception of speeding offences is becoming increasingly common,” said Paul Loughlin, a solicitor at the firm.
“From my own experience, I often receive calls from drivers who initially suggest telling a ‘white lie’, where they can get their spouse or a family member to take the points, in an effort to avoid accumulating more on their licence or receiving a driving ban.”
This warning to fleet and company car drivers comes after MP for Peterborough, Fiona Onasanya, was jailed for lying to police about a speeding ticket. Onasanya had denied being the driver of her Nissan Micra in July 2017 when it was caught driving 41mph in a 30mph zone.
It was also heard at The Old Bailey that Onasanya was texting as she was speeding. On Tuesday January 29th, 2019 after a re-trial, Onasnya was jailed for three months. Onasanya said on 27 July 2018 that she "strongly refutes any suggestions that I have broken the law" and has stated that she intends to appeal her conviction.
After pleading guilty to the same charge, Onasanya’s brother, Festus, was jailed for his involvement for 10 months. He had pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Loughlin explains: “In this case, had Miss Onasanya entered a guilty plea and took full responsibility for the driving offence, it’s likely the court would have imposed a more lenient penalty, with greater reference and consideration given to the impact a custodial sentence could have on the management of her multiple sclerosis.
“This sentence, like that of Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce in 2013, can be seen as a clear message to the public that obstructing public justice or perverting the course of justice, no matter what your standing in society, is always among the most serious of offences.”
