traffic sanctions in different european countries for foreigners

Well, I think our ministers gave away to much presents to the people at first and now it's payback time.

 

LOL, but maybe true

 

Wow, I knew the Swiss were strict on speeding, but I thought that only applied to the number of speedcameras. It seems the punishment for speeding is just as severe...

I take everything about the Dutch fines back, trevi!

I don't understand anything about Ton's fine, BTW. I think the rates I mentioned have been used throughout 2004. Anyway, sorry to see you got fined.

 

....and NEVER speed in or around LUZERN!!!!!!!!
This dudes are insane crazy; 3 speed traps within 5 km...if you are fast enough its like an illumination

 

Last year the local Belgian police interrogated me for 1,5 hrs after they received a fine from the Swiss justice department. I had to pay 90 euro for driving 111 km/hr where I was allowed 100 km/hr.

 

If I am not mistaken 0.5-0.8 is just an 'avertissment' (ie don't do it again or we'll take the licence away) and a fine of a few hundred CHF.

Things get tough above 0.8 (licence taken for 3 months, higher fine) and even tougher for repeat offenders.

Please double check and confirm your/my info.

 

SCHEISSE!!!!!!!!!!

I got photographed this morning on german autobahn.
It was at the "dusseldorf airport" tunnel...........................
The flashed with a red lamp in front of me..

Driving around 160km while 100km allowed........................I see in Wolfgangs post that's gonna cost me 150 euro's............

 

you are welcome

 

friends always know when to hang around !!

 

thats what friends are for

 

OK, here's France!

For Class 1 to 4 offences, if you pay within 3 days, they reduce the amount = "minor". If you pay within 30 days it's "normal". After 30 days it's "major". If it's contested or arrives at a judge, he decides without your involvement what the amount will be. This can be up to the "maximum"

Class..Minor..Normal..Major..Maximum
1........11€.....33€......38€
2........22€.....35€......75€.....150€
3........45€.....68€.....180€....450€
4........90€....135€.....375€....750€
5.....................................1500€
repeating a class 5 offence 3000 € and up to 3 months prison.

Class 5 offences are always treated by the courts (no standard table of fines)

License suspensions are at the decision of the judge and can be up to 3 years for "everyday" stuff. Obviously causing an accident whilst drunk is a bit more severe (6 years)

Some examples:

Insurance invalid 1500€ + license suspended
Red Light 135€ / 750€ + license suspended
0,5 to 0,8 g alcohol 135€ / 750€ + license suspended

Speeding
....< 20 km/h..135€..750€
20 - 30 km/h..135€..750€
30 - 40 km/h..135€..750€ license suspended
40 - 50 km/h..135€..750€ license suspended
....> 50 km/h.........1500€ license suspended

They take the reduced spped on motorways due to fog etc. very seriously too. Also some towns have smog speed restrictions which you have to tune in to the radio (and understand French!) to know about.

The maximum speed allowed anywhere in France is 130km/h.

Speed cameras are not very widespread, but this means it's all done with handheld stuff and relies on the Gendarme. My French colleagues say "Just pay up on the spot. No-one has contested and won. And you could end up paying a lot more!"

There is also a clever little law which goes as follows: EU drivers wishing to drive in France can do so using their EU license and there is no need to convert it to a French license EXCEPT if the said EU license has been suspended. Even the French aren't too clear on this but it COULD mean that a suspension is registered and the next time you want to drive here you have to take a French Driving Test!!!!!!