The Story
OP (19M) has been dating his girlfriend (18F) for about a year. A few weeks ago, he was driving home from her place when he got pulled over by none other than her father, who happens to be a police officer. Despite the awkwardness, her dad kept it professional, cited OP for speeding, and issued him a ticket. The problem? OP insists he wasn’t speeding.
When he got home, OP checked his dashcam footage. The camera records GPS and speed data, and it clearly showed he was under the speed limit the entire time. Confident in his evidence, OP decided he would fight the ticket in court. However, his girlfriend was not thrilled with this plan. She’s worried that contesting the ticket could cause major friction between OP, her dad, and her family as a whole. In her view, challenging the ticket implies that her dad either lied or made a serious mistake, which could put him in an awkward position professionally and personally.
OP, however, feels this isn’t about her dad at all. For him, it’s about protecting his clean driving record and avoiding long-term consequences like higher insurance rates. He respects her father and values their relationship, but he’s also not willing to accept a penalty for something he didn’t do. Despite the girlfriend’s concerns, OP has already pleaded not guilty and scheduled a court hearing.
Since making this decision, the relationship has been strained. His girlfriend feels like OP is prioritizing a “stupid traffic ticket” over her and her family. OP acknowledges this technically might be true, but he believes it’s about much more than a fine. To him, it’s about standing up for himself and safeguarding his future.
Tea & Feels Verdict
Our Take
This is a classic case of personal relationships getting tangled up with professional boundaries. OP isn’t dragging his girlfriend’s dad through the mud; he’s exercising his right to contest a ticket he believes was wrongly issued. There’s nothing malicious about that. It’s literally what courts are for.
From OP’s side, this is a practical decision. A mark on his record could follow him for years, raising insurance rates and possibly affecting other areas down the line. The dashcam footage gives him solid proof, so why wouldn’t he use it?
His girlfriend’s reaction, while emotionally charged, feels like a projection of her own fears. She’s worried about family dynamics and how this could reflect on her, which is understandable. But expecting OP to accept a penalty for something he didn’t do is unreasonable.
This isn’t about “choosing a ticket over family.” It’s about standing up for fairness, using the systems in place, and protecting yourself. If her dad is the professional OP respects, he’ll understand that too.
Reader Takes
We’re not the only ones with opinions. Here are some top takes from the Reddit crowd that caught our eye:
u/badgerbadgergo:
“NTA. You’re not taking her dad to court, you’re contesting a ticket. If her dad’s professional integrity can’t handle being questioned in a legal and proper way, that’s not your burden to bear. Your girlfriend is making this personal when it’s not.”
u/DriveSafe101:
“It’s wild to me that she expects you to eat a false charge just to protect her dad’s feelings. The court is the proper channel for disputes like this. You’re doing exactly what the system is designed for. NTA.”
u/insurancesucksbut:
“You’re young, so this ticket can really impact your rates for years. You’re not being petty, you’re protecting yourself. Your girlfriend’s reaction shows she’s not seeing the bigger picture. NTA.”
u/NotAboutEgo:
“It’s not like you’re suing him personally. Fighting a ticket with evidence isn’t disrespect, it’s due process. If her dad is professional, he’ll understand. NTA.”
u/ThisIsWhyDashcams:
“NTA. This is exactly why dashcams exist. You’re not accusing him of lying, you’re showing evidence. If she can’t see that, she’s not being reasonable.”
TL;DR Verdict
✅ Not the Asshole
