Would You Take Penalty Points For A Family Member? Episode 542

In this gripping episode, Niall reads out a real email from a listener caught between loyalty and legality. The listener’s brother—already sitting on 9 penalty points—was caught speeding again and is now begging him to take the fall by accepting the penalty points on his own licence.

“He says he was only doing 135 km/h on the M1 and can’t afford to lose his licence with work being so far away,” the listener writes. “My wife says I’d be mad to take the points—he’s always speeding and has no respect for the limits.”

Niall opens the lines to callers, and the country weighs in.

Some say family comes first:

“It’s only three points, and he said he’d cover the insurance cost—of course I’d help my brother,” says Kevin from Louth.

Others warn against crossing the line:

“It’s illegal, plain and simple,” argues Lisa in Cork. “You could both get into serious trouble, and for what? So he can keep speeding?”

Callers debate the pros and cons:

✅ Pros:

Helping a loved one avoid losing their job

Maintaining family harmony

Brother promises to cover financial impact

❌ Cons:

It’s illegal and could result in criminal charges

Higher insurance premiums and personal risk

Enabling reckless behaviour

Niall guides the conversation with humour, insight, and fairness as the nation reflects on just how far they’d go for family—and where the line should be drawn.

Would you take the points?

Let me know if you’d like this shortened for Spotify or made more dramatic for promotional use!