Who is at fault?

[SimonGent]

If I were driving along a road, and my passenger grabbed the steering wheel (forcing my car to change direction) and I then crashed, who would be at fault.? Could we both be prosectuted? Would I be blamed? What's the law?

[RATTER15]

You could not be at fault if your passenger grabbed the steering wheel against your will, if this has happened I would report it to the police, that has to be an offence!!
It would also help you defence.

I feel this is probably hypothetical though?

[CSG2306]

Hi all,

The driver is responsible for his car and passengers at all times.

He would have to prove that A.N. Other moved the steering wheel.

Regards

[captainvilla]

^^^^

No he /she is not.

If a person over 18 years of age, does not wear seat belts, then the occupier of that seat is given a fixed penalty, not the driver.

Back to the question, I would say that you would have to prove why the passenger diid it and also that there is reason to do so, i.e, drunk, aggression, trying to get away from the kidnapper !!!! etc.

[SimonGent]

Thanks for your answers... it started as a question over a few pints. One of my mates is a driving instructor and we were talking about when driving instructors put a hand on the wheel and move it when a student is driving along. We were wondering what would happen if the car crashed. Who would be at fault?

[Bart&Lisa]

In the scenario you have described I would say that the driving instructor is at fault as the responsibility of the vehicle and controls are the instructors. Also the student would be covered by the instructors insurance so any damage caused by the learner vehicle should be reimbursed by the instructors insurers.