In discussing the exorbitant price of motor insurance one day with a co-worker it came up in conversation that he doesn’t pay his motor tax or insurance and he drives around in the hope that he won’t get stopped by traffic cops. He only has to drive a few miles each day and he’s never had an accident thus far. Though occasionally he does drive further. I have been thinking about this conversation for a few weeks and his attitude bugs me the more I think about it. If he did have an accident he’d be in trouble, but the person or vehicle he hit would be liable to pay an even higher premium. It also turns out he doesn’t even have the proper license to drive his vehicle. I’m starting to wonder if I should report him before he has an accident and screws up his and someone else’s life.
Morally obliged to report co-worker to authorities?
- Thread starter AdamP88
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Della
Guest
You might, instead, try to find ways to help him pay his tax, insurance, etc. rather than report him to the police. Are there any community programs available to help people with these kinds of costs? If he’s a fellow Catholic, perhaps the parish or a parish service group could help him? I don’t know what’s available in Ireland, still I’d try to get him some financial help before turning him in. 
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DeniseNY
Guest
No license AND no insurance? I’m leaning towards turning him in.
If he had an accident and didn’t have coverage for his own damage that would be on him, but what if he seriously injures someone?
If he had an accident and didn’t have coverage for his own damage that would be on him, but what if he seriously injures someone?
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pnewton
Guest
It it your choice. There is no moral obligation. Sure, we are required to follow all just laws, but if there is no law mandating reporting a crime, it is not a legal obligation. That said, you can do so if you want, there is also no moral obligation to not report such a one.
If you consider it a serious moral dilemma, talk to a priest about it.
If you consider it a serious moral dilemma, talk to a priest about it.
My thoughts exactly. I must admit it also irks me that he thinks he can just break the law. I mean, everyone else has to pay these costs. I’d be a bit more sympathetic if he really needed to drive but he lives in walking distance of work and mainly just uses his car for leisure.
I don’t know if you’re right about that.
I would think Catholics have an obligation to report crimes that have the potential to seriously affect someone’s life.
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macstar
Guest
No, I wouldn’t report him. It’ll all unfold in due time and it’ll be a tough lesson for him to learn. He could still be on the hook for bills and be sued. Having insurance lessens that blow. Having insurance wouldn’t prevent him from having an accident.
As you stated, it’s his attitude that bugs you. Would you report a family member or someone you are fond of if you tried and they still didn’t listen?
As you stated, it’s his attitude that bugs you. Would you report a family member or someone you are fond of if you tried and they still didn’t listen?
Yeah. I would. It’s called tough love. It’d be worse for them to keep on driving and eventually have an accident than to be reported and probably get a few points on their licence and have to pay their tax.
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Kielbasi
Guest
The gentleman could be lying to you, of course.
He could be just telling tales, trolling you in real time for his own amusement or some other reason
If you snitch on him, he won’t get into trouble, but he’ll find out and you’re the one likely to run into problems with continuing your employment.
He could be just telling tales, trolling you in real time for his own amusement or some other reason
If you snitch on him, he won’t get into trouble, but he’ll find out and you’re the one likely to run into problems with continuing your employment.
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randomuser
Guest
DMV handles licensing, not the police.
Reporting no license & no insurance isn’t a police matter insofar as they don’t care unless you’re in an accident and then you get cited.
Source: 20+ years in insurance claims
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Beryllos
Guest
I don’t know where you live, but here license is indeed a police matter. Regarding insurance, I am not sure how the police would find out unless the driver was stopped for some violation.
He’s not. I’ve seen the insurance/tax discs on his car. They’re not even his.
How would he find out?
I’m not really worried that he’d be a threat to my job since he’s not above me in the hierarchy of retail management.
Also this is a part time job til I finish my degree. At most I’d be working with him another year.
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1Lord1Faith
Guest
No, your not morally obligated to tell on him for not paying his insurance. I wouldn’t recommend it either, it’s his business. I think the only thing you could do is let him know how his actions could cost someone else. Then maybe a discussion on whether or not the insurance mandate is a just law, or if it can be an unfair burden on the poor who have to drive.
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Techno2000
Guest
I wouldn’t worry too much about it , it’s only a few miles, so the risk is low, and he’s probably driving slow and careful so he doesn’t get caught.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
I prefer the term undocumented driver.
Well, it’s not just his business if he has an accident.
Also I don’t think there’s a point in arguing about whether the insurance mandate is a just law. That would only reinforce his idea that he shouldn’t have insurance.
I have the same job as him with less hours and I have to pay my taxes and car insurance.
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Crusaderbear
Guest
Religion should make no difference. Maybe he’s just boasting…if it’s not job related, then…use your best judgement.
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YADA
Guest
In Oregon - State law mandates liability insurance at a statutory amount AND you have to provide your insurance carrier and policy number in order to register/license your vehicle - so providing false information would be breaking the motor vehicle law … just as speeding or running a stop sign are.
The police can find out your status any time they pull you over - not just in an accident … they ask you for your license and registration … and I believe they can verify your insurance at that time
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