Speeding in Europe.......

[catso]

Following on from a few 'Speeding in Europe' threads, the following info was in MCN (Motor Cycle News), I thought it might be of interest;

IRELAND
Speed limit signs have just changed from mph to km/h in Ireland, and the police won’t be interested in the excuse that you didn’t know. Camera detectors and speed clampdowns are becoming more common.

NORWAY
Police are cracking down on speeding with sneaky tactics like hiding behind trees with cameras, particularly near the ports in the south. Doing 30 km/h over the limit could earn you a 500 Euro fine.

DENMARK
Mobile speed traps are common and they also like to use unmarked cars. Watch out for vans at the side of the road and never be tempted to race a car. If you’re speeding and you see one following you, slow down. Fines go up to £350.

HOLLAND
The Police have very fast Volvos, and if they see you speeding they’re likely to sit back and follow you until you have to stop to fill-up. At that point, you’ll get a fine ranging from 28 to 400 Euros (£20 - £280). If you’ve been breaking the limit at more than 50km/h (31mph), the fine goes up to 670 Euros (£460) and they can seize your bike.

PORTUGAL
The Portuguese have a relaxed attitude toward speed. Police seldom go out looking for speeders and rarely use speed cameras. The limit on the motorway is 120km/h (75mph), but up to 150 (93mph) is unlikely to attract attention. If they nick you, you’ll be fined up to 500 Euros (£350).

SPAIN
Spanish cops rarely go looking for speeders, and when they do they prefer to use their judgement. But mobile cameras are beginning to be used. If you’re caught you’ll get an on-the-spot fine. Up to 30% over the limit, or 155km/h (96mph) on the motorway, is a 150 Euro (£100) fine. Any more and the fine doubles.

SWEDEN
Police take a very dim view of speeding and regularly patrol roads looking for offenders. Breaking the limit can earn you a fine of between 105 and 210 euros (£75- £150) provided you're not over it by more than 40km/h (25mph).

CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic has better things to concentrate on than speeding, and enforcement is minimal compared to some of its neighbours

BELGIUM
Speeding by even the smallest margin means a fine ranging from 50 euros (£35) for just over to 175Euros (£120) for 20km/h (12mph) over. If you get caught a second time, the fine doubles.

AUSTRIA
Penalties start at 36 euros (£25) for 20km/h (12mph) over the limit and go up to 220 euros (£150) for more than 50km/h (31mph) over the l30km/h (80mph) limit The Police are notoriously zealous and have 1600 Laser guns and 500 radar traps.

GERMANY
Many sections of the Autobahn are limited to 120 or l30km/h (75 or 80mph), but there
are still unlimited stretches. Speed cameras are common but face forward, so can't
catch bikes. Out of town, 10km/h over the limit is tolerated, but any faster could earn
you a fine of between 20 and 60 euros (£14-£42).

FRANCE
Do more than 50km/h over the limit and the cops can give you an on-the-spot fine of 3800 euros (£2600) and confiscate your bike for ever. A lesser offence can earn you a fine of between 90 and 760 euros (£60-£530). Mobile speed traps are common and radar detectors are illegal - you have been warned!

SWITZERLAND
Police rigorously enforce the limits on all roads, and breaking them by any margin is
Not officially tolerated. Fines generally vary from 14 to 540 euros (£10-£375) but can
shoot up to 1500 euros (£1040) for just 25km/h over the limit in towns or 35km/h (21mph)over on the motorway. Again, they may take your licence, but a ban’s unlikely to be enforced in the UK.

ITALY
Italy’s cops are famously flexible when it comes to speed. In fact, the whole nation has an affection for it, and it's not unusual to find a car driver who fancies a dice with a bike.
The limit on the motorway is 130km/h (80mph) but no one seems to have told the locals, and the police, frankly, have better things to do. Understandably though, the liberal attitude stops at the
entrances to towns. If they do decide to take action, you'll face a fine ranging from 32 to
500 euros (£22-£350) for up to 40km/h over the limit. Any faster and they can hit you with a 1250 euro (£870) fine.

Be careful

[8Pack]

Dismal reading isn't it Catso, goes to show that whatever shade of Gov. is elected here, it's unlikely to change the situation.

One small point, I was in the Czech Rep. this last year, and I passed several Radar traps on local roads around Prague. Saw nothing on the "Excellent" motorways though, and Erhem! made the most of it


edited: because of typo

>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 9th February 01:10

[cptsideways]

catso said:

CZECH REPUBLIC The Czech Republic has better things to concentrate on than speeding, and enforcement is minimal compared to some of its neighbours

Watch out for parked up unmarked Skoda's & Mazda's in the Motorway laybys with a grill mounted forward facing radar unit. (You can't see it until its too late)

Also found on the entrances to towns on major trunk routes.

200kmph gets you a £90 fine from memory - ooops



Dont forget your motoway toll sticker, as the police will pull you just at the slip road as you come off the motoway & fine you.



>> Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 9th February 08:42

>> Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 9th February 08:46

[flemke]

Thanks for the summmary.
A couple of small points:
In Italy the limit on three lane DCs is 150 kph. A year or so ago this was raised from 130 for the explicit reason that a driver's concentration and alertness are better at the higher speed.
In France more than one gendarme has told me that they might confiscate a car (I presume that a bike would be treated the same) if its speed had been something like 40 over the limit.The confiscation, they said, is not intended to be permanent. Rather, for such an "excessive" speed the gendarme is not entrusted to assess the suitable penalty; this must be done by a magistrate. Your meeting with the mag. will be scheduled for a future date. Your car may be impounded in order to ensure that you will show up for your appointment with the mag. After you have done so you'll get your car back.

[MR2Mike]

cptsideways said:

Dont forget your motoway toll sticker, as the police will pull you just at the slip road as you come off the motoway & fine you.

Same in Austria. A friend and I got pulled for no toll sticker and a hefty on the spot fine levied. Had we actually known about this (at the time recently introduced) requirement we'd have happily bought a 7 day sticker for about £9. The armed copper insisted we would have been told about this at the border (we weren't).

BTW I went to Austria last October to get married, and the taxi driver that picked us up from Salzburg airport was doing around 100-110mph (160-180kmh) on the motorway sections! Standard of driving on the motorways there is nothing like as good as Germany and France.

[WildCat]

flemke said:

Thanks for the summmary. A couple of small points: In Italy the limit on three lane DCs is 150 kph. A year or so ago this was raised from 130 for the explicit reason that a driver's concentration and alertness are better at the higher speed.

True - Liebchen. Equates to 93 mph. But this ist on certain stretches on the autostrade - und not entire lengths. But accidents on these stretches have reduced und Italy ist looking at extensions according to some report I read in an Italian car mag...

In bad weather .. it ist 110 kph or as stated on the matrices..

[nonegreen]

flemke said:

Thanks for the summmary. A couple of small points: In Italy the limit on three lane DCs is 150 kph. A year or so ago this was raised from 130 for the explicit reason that a driver's concentration and alertness are better at the higher speed. In France more than one gendarme has told me that they might confiscate a car (I presume that a bike would be treated the same) if its speed had been something like 40 over the limit.The confiscation, they said, is not intended to be permanent. Rather, for such an "excessive" speed the gendarme is not entrusted to assess the suitable penalty; this must be done by a magistrate. Your meeting with the mag. will be scheduled for a future date. Your car may be impounded in order to ensure that you will show up for your appointment with the mag. After you have done so you'll get your car back.

Thats good news, thanks for that clarification it also means I am not now in the market for weapons grade plutonium.

[WildCat]

Und Spanish MEP ist after uniform penatlies und forests of Gatsos for all other EU countries

catso said:

BELGIUM Speeding by even the smallest margin means a fine ranging from 50 euros (£35) for just over to 175Euros (£120) for 20km/h (12mph) over. If you get caught a second time, the fine doubles.

They would do better if they sorted out the road surfaces on their roads - especially the motorway to Brussels which rivals the worst road in GDR for worn surfaces!

catso said:

AUSTRIA Penalties start at 36 euros (£25) for 20km/h (12mph) over the limit and go up to 220 euros (£150) for more than 50km/h (31mph) over the l30km/h (80mph) limit The Police are notoriously zealous and have 1600 Laser guns and 500 radar traps.

Veritable bone of contention on radarfalle site. und they are sneaky ....

Lot of Germans get zapped at the border....

catso said:

GERMANY Many sections of the Autobahn are limited to 120 or l30km/h (75 or 80mph), but there are still unlimited stretches. Speed cameras are common but face forward, so can't catch bikes. Out of town, 10km/h over the limit is tolerated, but any faster could earn you a fine of between 20 and 60 euros (£14-£42).

Points system ist different - often fine only for marginals. After second offence they have to send a warning letter (ie at 8 points). They may also at that stage offer a remedial workshop to help you - (Berlin und Pfalz - I think do this) If you get to tot-up ban level - und you have not received your stern letter at 8 points - you do not get a ban.

radafalle site - gives full details of scam locations und radio stations which give bulletins about speed traps across EU. Also some scary photos of speed traps on the site. Other members of family contribute to the forum

catso said:

FRANCE Do more than 50km/h over the limit and the cops can give you an on-the-spot fine of 3800 euros (£2600) and confiscate your bike for ever. A lesser offence can earn you a fine of between 90 and 760 euros (£60-£530). Mobile speed traps are common and radar detectors are illegal - you have been warned!

They have more mobiles than fixed sites - und gendarmes are looking for seatbelt/drunks as well.

Check out site called "radar fixes" for photos of what their traps look like.

catso said:

SWITZERLAND Police rigorously enforce the limits on all roads, and breaking them by any margin is Not officially tolerated. Fines generally vary from 14 to 540 euros (£10-£375) but can shoot up to 1500 euros (£1040) for just 25km/h over the limit in towns or 35km/h (21mph)over on the motorway. Again, they may take your licence, but a ban’s unlikely to be enforced in the UK.

Ist only 3 mph above the speed limit across the range. They hide them in wheely bins und disguise as carved figures as well.

They will penalty point French drivers because France penalty points Swiss drivers

Swiss und French do not like each other very much -- ist a territorial thing in history


>> Edited by WildCat on Wednesday 9th February 12:24

[mutant_matt]

catso said:

BELGIUM Speeding by even the smallest margin means a fine ranging from 50 euros (£35) for just over to 175Euros (£120) for 20km/h (12mph) over. If you get caught a second time, the fine doubles.

The chances of getting caught anywhere except near Brussells (E40 in particular) seems to be quite small though.

I drive regularly through Belgium and always travel at exactly 160kph the whole way. Friends tell me 130mph used to be a "safe" speed to cross Belgium at but no more....

Getting nicked in Germany for speeding must be the most pleasant encounter I've ever had with any Policeman though After all, the EUR60 and 10 mins it cost me (160kph in a 130) was more than made up for by the hour of unlimited autobahn they thoughtfully provided for me before, and after the restricted section

Matt



>> Edited by mutant_matt on Wednesday 9th February 13:00

[dcb]

catso said:

NORWAY Police are cracking down on speeding with sneaky tactics like hiding behind trees with cameras, particularly near the ports in the south. Doing 30 km/h over the limit could earn you a 500 Euro fine.

My understanding is that the mway speed limit is a lowly 80-90 kmh. Mind you I'd so doing 50 mph or less in -30.

catso said:

HOLLAND The Police have very fast Volvos, and if they see you speeding they’re likely to sit back and follow you until you have to stop to fill-up. At that point, you’ll get a fine ranging from 28 to 400 Euros (£20 - £280). If you’ve been breaking the limit at more than 50km/h (31mph), the fine goes up to 670 Euros (£460) and they can seize your bike.

The Netherlands are so small, it is easy to avoid filling up in the country. Limit is 120 kmh, so the 670 Euro fine is at 170 kmh.

catso said:

SPAIN Spanish cops rarely go looking for speeders, and when they do they prefer to use their judgement. But mobile cameras are beginning to be used. If you’re caught you’ll get an on-the-spot fine. Up to 30% over the limit, or 155km/h (96mph) on the motorway, is a 150 Euro (£100) fine. Any more and the fine doubles.

I've not driven on Spanish roads, but my brother in law reckons that plenty of folks pass him very quickly when he's doing the Biaritz to Malaga run at 85 mph.

catso said:

BELGIUM Speeding by even the smallest margin means a fine ranging from 50 euros (£35) for just over to 175Euros (£120) for 20km/h (12mph) over. If you get caught a second time, the fine doubles.

I've got plenty of experience at driving in Belgium, and even though the coppers might have the ability to fine 50 Euros for 140 kmh, they mostly don't seem to bother.

catso said:

AUSTRIA Penalties start at 36 euros (£25) for 20km/h (12mph) over the limit and go up to 220 euros (£150) for more than 50km/h (31mph) over the l30km/h (80mph) limit The Police are notoriously zealous and have 1600 Laser guns and 500 radar traps.

220 Euros for 170 kmh - bargain !

catso said:

GERMANY Many sections of the Autobahn are limited to 120 or l30km/h (75 or 80mph), but there are still unlimited stretches. Speed cameras are common but face forward, so can't catch bikes. Out of town, 10km/h over the limit is tolerated, but any faster could earn you a fine of between 20 and 60 euros (£14-£42).

On the unlimited autobahn, drop below 200 kmh, and you will have plenty of folks trying to pass.

catso said:

FRANCE Do more than 50km/h over the limit and the cops can give you an on-the-spot fine of 3800 euros (£2600) and confiscate your bike for ever. A lesser offence can earn you a fine of between 90 and 760 euros (£60-£530). Mobile speed traps are common and radar detectors are illegal - you have been warned!

130 kmh plus 50 kmh = 180 kmh or 112 mph.

I'd like to see a British copper still handing out fines for offences up to 112 mph.

catso said:

SWITZERLAND Police rigorously enforce the limits on all roads, and breaking them by any margin is Not officially tolerated. Fines generally vary from 14 to 540 euros (£10-£375) but can shoot up to 1500 euros (£1040) for just 25km/h over the limit in towns or 35km/h (21mph)over on the motorway. Again, they may take your licence, but a ban’s unlikely to be enforced in the UK.

120 kmh plus 35 kmh = 155 kmh or 96 mph.

catso said:

ITALY The limit on the motorway is 130km/h (80mph)

150 kmh on the three lane bits. Don't expect to attract attention until you are 20 kmh over. That's 170 kmh or 106 mph in real money.

catso said:

Be careful

Makes the UK system of 70 mph limit and instant court for 96 mph (soon 93 mph I hear) look very old fashioned.

[catso]

flemke said:

In Italy the limit on three lane DCs is 150 kph. A year or so ago this was raised from 130 for the explicit reason that a driver's concentration and alertness are better at the higher speed.

That and the fact that when they brought in the points system the existing limits would have seen virtually everyone banned in a week (something about not 'criminalising' the normal behaviour of the majority ).

It is also a more realistic speed which, coupled with Cop's discretion means little has changed, i.e. under 190-200km/h usually OK if in a decent car and not driving like a knob, the majority of those travelling Faster now are mainly above the law anyway, due to being rich, Ferrari or Lamborghini owners (speed limit exempt in Emilia Romagna ), important, cops or gov't officials chauffers

Remember also that they now have a requirement for daytime headlight use on Motorways.

Buon Viaggio

>> Edited by catso on Wednesday 9th February 16:27

[Targarama]

MR2Mike said:

cptsideways said: Dont forget your motoway toll sticker, as the police will pull you just at the slip road as you come off the motoway & fine you. Same in Austria. A friend and I got pulled for no toll sticker and a hefty on the spot fine levied. Had we actually known about this (at the time recently introduced) requirement we'd have happily bought a 7 day sticker for about £9. The armed copper insisted we would have been told about this at the border (we weren't). BTW I went to Austria last October to get married, and the taxi driver that picked us up from Salzburg airport was doing around 100-110mph (160-180kmh) on the motorway sections! Standard of driving on the motorways there is nothing like as good as Germany and France.

I was wondering about motorway toll stickers for Austria. Couldn't quite understand the signs approaching the big toll coming up towards Innsburck from Bolzano, decided it was just for the regulars' automated toll passes. We used them a fair bit last summer too ...

Once when we stopped I was watching the TVR from across the carpark as people went to take a closer look (as you do), then a motorways policing type van pulled up. Girlfriend came out of the toilets and I hurried her through the shop etc. got in the car and scarpered just in case.

[regmolehusband]

It's no wonder Switzerland ever came to anything.......

[mutant_matt]

[Zod]

dcb said:

On the unlimited autobahn, drop below 200 kmh, and you will have plenty of folks trying to pass.

but you and they will all be killed by the lethal speed.

[8Pack]

Targarama said:

I was wondering about motorway toll stickers for Austria. Couldn't quite understand the signs approaching the big toll coming up towards Innsburck from Bolzano, decided it was just for the regulars' automated toll passes. We used them a fair bit last summer too ... Once when we stopped I was watching the TVR from across the carpark as people went to take a closer look (as you do), then a motorways policing type van pulled up. Girlfriend came out of the toilets and I hurried her through the shop etc. got in the car and scarpered just in case.

You can get a vignette for 10 days in Austria. IIRC it came to around £7.50 for the 10 day one, the Czech one is £3. Not worth the risk is it?
They are available at garages and any motorway garage.

>> Edited by 8Pack on Friday 11th February 00:34

[hugoagogo]

WildCat said:

Points system ist different - often fine only for marginals. After second offence they have to send a warning letter (ie at 8 points). They may also at that stage offer a remedial workshop to help you - (Berlin und Pfalz - I think do this) If you get to tot-up ban level - und you have not received your stern letter at 8 points - you do not get a ban.

as far as I know, the points only apply to residents of germany, for foreign residents they double the fine
i paid 1500 marks once, on the spot fine, 186 in a 100 zone - would've been a big ban had i been registered as living in germany
btw, NRW does the workshop thing too

[IOLAIRE]

regmolehusband said:

It's no wonder Switzerland ever came to anything.......

Yeah, I know what you mean.
No wars for over 400 years, the best climbing and skiing possibly in the world.
Breathtaking scenery rivalling Scotlands.
The most superb mountain tunnels in the world bar none.
A banking system that truly serves it's customers.
Probably the most beautiful inland lake in the world.
Some of the finest restaurants in the world.
A superb health service and educational standards.
The highest decorative fountain in the world in Geneva.
Some of the finest shopping to be found anywhere.
The cleanest and most organised industrial complexes to be found anywhere.
Yep, it reminds me of that Monty Python sketch, y'know the one, "What have the Romans ever done for us?"

[8Pack]

I thought I'd post "The Alternative Guide to Britain" as a reply to IOLAIRE's excellent post.

In the same order:

British troops killed every year in action for the last 100 years.

Climbing, walking? Well we have North Wales.

Scotland rivals Switzerland in scenic beauty

The most expensive tunnel in Europe

A Banking system which charges you to withdraw your own money

The most polluted rivers in Europe (albeit slowly improving)

Most MacDonalds restaurants outside America

Underfunded Health Service, India has more MRI scanners

Lowest educational standards in Europe

Diana Memorial ....sluice

Pound Stretchers

Old Victorian workplaces still in use


Makes you proud to be "British" doesn't it?

[IanReid]

IOLAIRE said:

regmolehusband said: It's no wonder Switzerland ever came to anything....... Yeah, I know what you mean. No wars for over 400 years, the best climbing and skiing possibly in the world. Breathtaking scenery rivalling Scotlands. The most superb mountain tunnels in the world bar none. A banking system that truly serves it's customers. Probably the most beautiful inland lake in the world. Some of the finest restaurants in the world. A superb health service and educational standards. The highest decorative fountain in the world in Geneva. Some of the finest shopping to be found anywhere. The cleanest and most organised industrial complexes to be found anywhere. Yep, it reminds me of that Monty Python sketch, y'know the one, "What have the Romans ever done for us?"

All funded by being the World's money launderers for many years now. Though I believe they are notionally being told by the EU that some of the famed banking secrecy must now end. If it really happens then their profits might be diluted somewhat.

Does Switzerland have laws, as they do in Austria, that only their own nationals can own businesses?