RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

All the way down to Marbella I was flooring it without a flash in site... > Only a matter of time and then my luck ran out...
As I got close to the French boarder I was following a guy in the fast lane when he begain to fish tailing...

I didn't realise he was slamming his brakes on and at the same time I didn't see the police man who swiftly pulled me and issued me a 50Euro fine. 160Kmph in a 110Kmph within minutes back on the road.

While driving to La Rochelle I was flashed doing around 85MPH in a 64mph zone (roughly). I've googled speeding tickets and can find bits about a new law comming in so Brits can be punished but I can't find anything to say it's actually in.

Can anyone advise me further.

what would scooby do

Good job they don't issue spelling tests on the spot as you would be knackered

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

Edited it to Keep those happy.

New keyboard and I'm having to hit the buttons quite hard. And the fact I've been up since 5am driven to Milton Keynes from La Rochelle and am extreamly tired...

what would scooby do

Use your thumbs like the old folks

Glynmitch

Or spell check

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Erm...

Spain have speed cameras too: There's load in the Valencia regions and the ones on overhead gantrys don't flash either (infrared).

Seriously, satnav with up to date camera locations. (although it appears TomTom users have mapped roadside weather stations as speed cameras in France )

You can't miss them.....white boxes like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzJje...mbedded#at=195

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Serious hat on:

Gantry cameras: http://www.motorafondo.net/lista-con...jos-de-espana/
New style (Radar de tramo: average speed): http://www.madridactualidad.es/el-pr...es-en-la-ap-6/ (can also be found on poles - look like a pair of CCTV cameras)
Mobile trap: http://www.motorafondo.net/nuevo-sis...e-radares-dgt/

Can't help with fines; I've kept enough wits about me to spot speed traps.

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

Obviously when the sat nav did scream at me I did slow down, and there were several incidents where everyone slowed down and sped up but it felt like there were a lot more then on the way down.
*One of the challenges on the way down was to get photo's of some speed camara's with our car next to them.
(not downloading a spell checker to keep those happy btw)

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

Speed cameras that slow your car down?

I went to Andalucia last year and got very confused. Normaly i got to Majorca and there is one camera near the airport. But the cameras in Andalucia actually slow you down!!!

I stayed in a mountainous area that was 3 hours from malaga airport. The hire car was pants and had no ooomph. I couldnt understand why the car would slow down, even down hill every time i got the speed up, very odd

Leslie

Is there a worthwhile point in deliberately driving that far over the speed limits?

Seems like an expensive exercise for no real advantage.

Les

Jaybird-UK

Ive been flashed 4 times or so in France by fixed camera installations over the last 10 years, never had a ticket.

I got a registered letter from Rome Police with a €100 euro fine, I ignored it then it went up (I think by another €25 or so) with a threat that if I didnt pay it would be handed over to a pan European debt collecting agency.

I reluctantly paid it online

alloy

they cant issue you a fine if they have the wrong number plate details....

Doobs Scoob

iTrader: (2)

I always stick to the speed limits anyway!

Jaybird-UK

Yea, false plates... thats a recipe for success

How do you explain them away if you get stopped UK side and they find them in your boot? or the French Police find the original plates in your boot (they often look in the boot for triangle/bulb/hi-vis) ?

You could end up in a lot of trouble!

ScoobyWon't

James Bond style rotating plates?

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I can only speak for France, as that's where most of my non-UK motoring is done:

If you are stopped, expect a fine on the spot. Fines rise according to how much OVER the limit you are:
Up to, but not including 20kph OVER when the limit is more than 50kph: €68
Up to, but not including 20kph over POSTED limit,any other situation: €135
Same fine for <30kph over and <40kph over, except the French get more points.
MORE THAN 50kph over the posted limit: €1500 and probable confiscation of car! Possible prison sentence. Second offence carries a MANDATORY 3 months imprisonment!

So lucky you were stopped in Spain, or they read it as under 50kph over the limit. Don't forget that 50kph is ONLY 30mph.

As regards fixed cameras: At the moment, I've still never heard of anyone being chased up over a fine, but I HAVE heard of people stopped at airports etc next visit, and money demanded from fines owing.

In France, if you see a sign warning of speed cameras, http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...1t:429,r:3,s:0, there WILL BE ONE, so obey the limit.

Like here they often post a mobile unit after it.

Other things to watch for:

The broken down car on the side of the road, hatch up: it can contain a prone gendarme with laser

Gendarmes hidden behind motorway signs, shoot you from the rear, next peage you're done.

They also put traps on rest areas, with bikes or peage later to stop you.

All these are ON THE SPOT fines, if you don't have the money, they escort you to a cash pint/bank. If no money is available, you are arrested and the car is impounded until you pay.

The blue Peugeot 407 or 307, stopped on the motorway hard shoulder: it can have a rearward facing camera, gendarme in seat with computer, bikers to stop you later.

TBH: French motorways are fast enough, and speeding is REALLY expensive if you get caught

alloy

You should go Le Mans one year!

LEO-RS

Good move, I done the Same in the Netherlands. Ignored it, fine went up. Next time I arrived in Amsterdam, they nabbed me at passport control and never let me through until I paid it I suspect all other Euro countries would do the same. Ignore it if you're never going back again but be prepared for a big bill if you do as the costs mount up.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Bit stupid driving all that way. A bit stupid speeding but hey it's your life. Hope you where on your own.

Jaybird-UK

You dont know how many breaks he took and you need to factor in the ferry crossing (6 hours if Caan to Portsmouth) which gives plenty of time to sleep.

GC8WRX

yeah cos thats a long drive?




and i suppose you never speed either, you drive everywhere at 2 mph under the limit do you, no so shut up then.


Its called making progress not speeding, the germans have it right, the limit of your car is the speed limit, not some **** number that is relevant to a 30 year old car, my mums fiesta will push 180kph all day, i know cos ive done it from macc to plymouth and never once did it feel unsafe!

GC8WRX

can a pan european debt agency do anything in the uk, id be interested to know if they can legaly chase the money?

Jaybird-UK

Im guessing they can pursue the claim, besides if they handed it over it jumped to something daft like €500

I decided €125 and be done with it was the smart move.

Note, this wasn't for speeding, in Rome there are signs that just say ZTL and mean that the road is for Rome citizens only, not knowing this I drove through one

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

Thank you all for your replies. Firstly, If it's a 30 here or in Europe I stick to it. On the motorways here or in Europe I will drive as I feel safe. My carisma will touch 125 but I would never sit at that. 100 yes, 85 - 90 all day long.

Trooper - We drove 3000 miles to help raise money for charity And your telling me you have NEVER gone over the limit?

Alcazar, Thank you for your advise and yes we noticed on the way up that after every sign there is a camara.

I wil happily pay the fine as yes I know I was in the wrong - dispite being fun, tired etc I started this thread to see if they would follow the fine to a UK driver.

Any ideas how long they keep the fine on file? I can avoid France for a while

Leslie

Must be wonderful to be such a star driver!

Les

alloy

DSI Stinger!! Thats what you need

Adrian F

I cant believe people actually trying to defend the speed limits we all know speed doesn't kill, in appropriate speeding does and as only driver was there we cant judge that.

And before people quote the Law Must be obeyed on here that would then mean they support shops not being able to sell curved cucumbers then another stupid law to be ignored.

ian7675

I made the exact same journey a few years ago and it was a great experience. French motorways are a pleasure to drive on, faster speed limit, less traffic, less roadworks and better quality surface. It's just a shame about the cost of the tolls.
Spain is different though but still better than here.

BUT, France does work with the DVLA to prosecute speeding motorists and have done for some time. Their cameras are very hard to see, usually in a small brick built block that you might never see. I have to admit that I did go past one just outside of Cherbourg slightly over the limit but never heard anything from it.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I don't think people ARE defending the limits per se, but they DO exist, and governments DO enforce them rigorously, whether for revenue, safety or what, it matters not, if you get caught you COULD face a BIG fine, losing your car, and even imprisonment in a foreign country.

It is better that people at least know what they might be getting into, then let them make their own decision.

I regularly drive in France and now rarely speed, it just is no longer worth it.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

The fixed camera are ALWAYS signed about a mile or so in front, plenty of time to adjust your speed, and if you see a sign, there IS a camera, or was, in the case of some that have got vandalised

It's the traps you need to be aware of, they have so many tricks it's unbelieveable

Their speed cameras are mostly rectangular boxes, painted grey, but with a black/yellow band around the front, about 3 feet high, a foot or so thick and one and half feet wide. They are not always easy to see, they place them in front of bridge abutments etc to disguise them, but thgere IS ALWAYS a sign. They are at ground level, and to help you sput them, there is always a short length off safety barrier alongside them If you continue to speed, then it's your choice.

They keep threatening to instal different types of cameras, but I have yet to see one.