Request to give information as to identity of driver question

**BiK3RChiK** · 10th July 2009, 16:45

I am the registered owner of a number of vehicles which a number of different drivers use. Today I received in the mail from the NZ Police a 'Request to give information as to the identity of driver of one of my vehicles for 3 weeks ago! What's the story with these? Does anyone know? I cannot be 100% certain as to who is driving what vehicle 3 weeks ago, so what do I disclose or not? And what happens if I do nothing? Do I ignore the threats on the paper, or not?

TIA

**Mully** · 10th July 2009, 16:50

IIRC, the Police can ping you pretty hard if you don't comply. If you honestly don't remember, you could probably do an affidavit saying so.

I'm sure the local bush lawyers will be here in a minute anyway.

**BiK3RChiK** · 10th July 2009, 19:51

Well, because it was so long ago (for me!) haha and I don't have any idea who drove my car even last week, since I am the registered owner of at least 4 different vehicles on my property and my husband is the owner of a couple and my son owns his own machine also, all resident at my address, and all driven by various personages at different and varying times, and I'm not even home half the time anyways, it looks like I'll have to answer the 'I don't know' option. Not that they give you options..... just want the name. How the hell am I supposed to know that? That was a lifetime ago in my world!

**RT527** · 10th July 2009, 20:04

Originally Posted by BiK3RChiK

Well, because it was so long ago (for me!) haha and I don't have any idea who drove my car even last week, since I am the registered owner of at least 4 different vehicles on my property and my husband is the owner of a couple and my son owns his own machine also, all resident at my address, and all driven by various personages at different and varying times, and I'm not even home half the time anyways, it looks like I'll have to answer the 'I don't know' option. Not that they give you options..... just want the name. How the hell am I supposed to know that? That was a lifetime ago in my world!

Im not 100% sure but if you can not provide the name of the driver that was driving the vehicle at the time then the registered owner gets the ticket.

**Mom** · 10th July 2009, 20:10

Originally Posted by RT527

Im not 100% sure but if you can not provide the name of the driver that was driving the vehicle at the time then the registered owner gets the ticket.

I dont think the registered owner gets the ticket, I think they get fined for not disclosing the details, no doubt someone will have the details. In fact I think I read a thread not so long ago about this. A search should bring up the outcome.

**Katman** · 10th July 2009, 20:11

Tell DB to man the fuck up.

**BiK3RChiK** · 10th July 2009, 20:15

I'd vigourously defend a ticket in relation to me driving the stated vehicle and I'd give proof that I wasn't the driver. I think the cops would be barking up the wrong tree there and wasting court time. I don't think judges look too kindly on having their time wasted in such a manner. Just because I'm the registered owner of a vehicle doesn't mean I know who is driving the vehicle registered in my name every minute of the day. I'm a very busy person and my vehicles are available to a number of people throughout the day, and I have no record or way of finding out who was driving the vehicle at the time stated. So we'll see.....

**Taz** · 10th July 2009, 20:30

Ignorance is not a defence. I'm sure they have some thing they'll do you for.

**Dave Lobster** · 10th July 2009, 20:34

Originally Posted by BiK3RChiK

I think the cops would be barking up the wrong tree there and wasting court time. ..

Doesn't matter to them. They get paid the same whether they're sitting in court or catching rapists/muggers/thieves (not murderers though)

Originally Posted by BiK3RChiK

I don't think judges look too kindly on having their time wasted in such a manner..

Barry Hart is still employed, and does this for a living. Was doing it today..

**BiK3RChiK** · 10th July 2009, 20:39

Well, you're all a helpful lot aren't ya!

**Taz** · 10th July 2009, 23:07

Just ignore it, thay can't make you disclose who was driving, they'll just give up and it'll all go away......
That what you want to hear??

Yeah right!

**Mikkel** · 10th July 2009, 23:39

Sell everything you own, get a false passport and get on the first plane for Buernos Aires!

It'll work fine until you get old and sick - then you can always come back home and spend the rest of your life being sick in jail...

**Winston001** · 10th July 2009, 23:43

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Sell everything you own, get a false passport and get on the first plane for Buenos Aires!

It'll work fine until you get old and sick - then you can always come back home and spend the rest of your life being sick in jail...

What he said!!

**Winston001** · 10th July 2009, 23:50

Originally Posted by BiK3RChiK

I'd vigourously defend a ticket in relation to me driving the stated vehicle and I'd give proof that I wasn't the driver. I think the cops would be barking up the wrong tree there and wasting court time. I don't think judges look too kindly on having their time wasted in such a manner. Just because I'm the registered owner of a vehicle doesn't mean I know who is driving the vehicle registered in my name every minute of the day. I'm a very busy person and my vehicles are available to a number of people throughout the day, and I have no record or way of finding out who was driving the vehicle at the time stated. So we'll see.....

You are barking up the wrong tree entirely.

I haven't looked at this for ages but essentially the law says the registered owner must supply the name and particulars of the driver of the vehicle when asked.

If you do not, cannot, or refuse, you are then liable for a different charge of failing to supply particulars. The fine is steep. You will not be charged with the driving offence because as you say, the police cannot prove you to be the driver.

Parliament foresaw people refusing to give info years ago and created this special offence.

You can of course defend the charge but the only way I've ever heard a successful defence is where the vehicle has been stolen. Otherwise its your vehicle, your responsibility, you track down the driver.