Caught Speeding in Switzerland but photo of driver unclear
Discussion
Was out on an Organised Tour of the Alps last summer and got a letter from the local Swiss Police for speeding (was doing 123kph in 80kph zone)
The thing is a few of us were swapping round driving different cars all week and we can't tell from the picture who was driving, we can't even remember where this was!
I've written back the Swiss to say we don't know who was driving and that the picture is not clear. They've since replied with another copy of the photo which they have said they have tried to clear up yet it's still not clear who was driving! Most of the face is obscured by a reflection of the clouds and all you can see is sunglasses (we were all wearing sunglasses!!)
If this was the UK I'm sure that this would be the end of it but given how tough the Swiss are on speeding how should I play this? I've written a reply (which I've not sent yet) which says:
'Unfortunately, the photograph provided is still not clear and I am therefore unable to identify which one of our group was driving at the time.
I am sorry that I am unable to assist with your enquiries at this time'
I thought I'd ask you guys what you think before I send it.
Thoughts/opinions?
The thing is a few of us were swapping round driving different cars all week and we can't tell from the picture who was driving, we can't even remember where this was!
I've written back the Swiss to say we don't know who was driving and that the picture is not clear. They've since replied with another copy of the photo which they have said they have tried to clear up yet it's still not clear who was driving! Most of the face is obscured by a reflection of the clouds and all you can see is sunglasses (we were all wearing sunglasses!!)
If this was the UK I'm sure that this would be the end of it but given how tough the Swiss are on speeding how should I play this? I've written a reply (which I've not sent yet) which says:
'Unfortunately, the photograph provided is still not clear and I am therefore unable to identify which one of our group was driving at the time.
I am sorry that I am unable to assist with your enquiries at this time'
I thought I'd ask you guys what you think before I send it.
Thoughts/opinions?
AndrewEH1 said:
Perhaps everyone in the group chips in to the cost and you just say it was you?
^^^ This. When driving in Europe in years gone by and a group of us were pulled over, even though the police only had any interest in taking money from the guy leading the convoy we all chipped in. No point the one guy getting stung just because he happened to be in front.
Depends on how friendly you are with your fellow drivers though.
AndrewEH1 said:
Ever plan on visiting Switzerland again? Pay it.
Perhaps everyone in the group chips in to the cost and you just say it was you?
It may not be that simplePerhaps everyone in the group chips in to the cost and you just say it was you?
https://www.ch.ch/en/driving-over-speed-limit/
80 km/h zone. 123 km/h is summons territory (probably). Now they can ban you from driving in Switzerland. And fine you. The fines can be eye watering as they are done on income.
These threads may be of help as to the level of fine:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=162...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There was another one as well but it seems to have been deleted.
I'd just follow the due process. In that if you are unable to identify the driver then that should be straight forward enough. I think you've done what is requested by their law to date.
I think Swiss law would work similar to that of many western nations in that their court system would have to be clear on prosecuting the correct person.
But obviously best to get some proper legal advice.
They may argue it is a legal duty to keep records of the use of 'pool cars' but then that would usually apply to business use only (would it not?).
I think Swiss law would work similar to that of many western nations in that their court system would have to be clear on prosecuting the correct person.
But obviously best to get some proper legal advice.
They may argue it is a legal duty to keep records of the use of 'pool cars' but then that would usually apply to business use only (would it not?).
Vaud said:
AndrewEH1 said:
Ever plan on visiting Switzerland again? Pay it.
Perhaps everyone in the group chips in to the cost and you just say it was you?
It may not be that simplePerhaps everyone in the group chips in to the cost and you just say it was you?
https://www.ch.ch/en/driving-over-speed-limit/
80 km/h zone. 123 km/h is summons territory (probably). Now they can ban you from driving in Switzerland. And fine you. The fines can be eye watering as they are done on income.
These threads may be of help as to the level of fine:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=162...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There was another one as well but it seems to have been deleted.
MNut said:
The 123kph was adjusted by the Swiss to 117kph as the 'effective' speed to give a margin for error but even still it's still in summons territory I think.
So for a Swiss resident that would probably be 30 x (70% of daily income) - roughly - so about 20 days (net) pay.I stopped working in Switzerland before the new fines came in but they are punitive according to friends who still live there. Minimal ability to get mitigation as well.
Does anyone know how long does it take for a speeding fine to come through to UK. Got flashed by speed camera near Geneva this weekend whilst driving a rental car from Sixt. Trouble is, i dont know exactly how fast i was going. I believe it was 100kph road and i was overtaking at about 120-125 on spidometer. Maybe more.
Now i have the pleasure of waiting to see what if anything will arrive in post. Chances are it would have been cheaper just to miss the flight....
Now i have the pleasure of waiting to see what if anything will arrive in post. Chances are it would have been cheaper just to miss the flight....
MNut said:
'Unfortunately, the photograph provided is still not clear and I am therefore unable to identify which one of our group was driving at the time.
I am sorry that I am unable to assist with your enquiries at this time'
Let's hope they don't have a law requiring a driver to know who is driving their own vehicle
Monocle said:
Does anyone know how long does it take for a speeding fine to come through to UK. Got flashed by speed camera near Geneva this weekend whilst driving a rental car from Sixt. Trouble is, i dont know exactly how fast i was going. I believe it was 100kph road and i was overtaking at about 120-125 on spidometer. Maybe more.
Now i have the pleasure of waiting to see what if anything will arrive in post. Chances are it would have been cheaper just to miss the flight....
You won't get a fine in the post. Usually Sixt will pay the fine on your behalf then invoice you or charge your credit card for the fine + an admin fee.Now i have the pleasure of waiting to see what if anything will arrive in post. Chances are it would have been cheaper just to miss the flight....
OverSteery said:
I would drop the last bit. Just make the statement, so the action is with them. You don't want the last bit to imply you will not help them when/if you can. It's almost a challenge for them to escalate it!
Let's hope they don't have a law requiring a driver to know who is driving their own vehicle
Replied over two months ago and haven't had a reply yet. The first letter I sent got a reply within two weeks. Not sure if this is good or bad as I feel in limbo now. Let's hope they don't have a law requiring a driver to know who is driving their own vehicle
HantsRat said:
Monocle said:
Does anyone know how long does it take for a speeding fine to come through to UK. Got flashed by speed camera near Geneva this weekend whilst driving a rental car from Sixt. Trouble is, i dont know exactly how fast i was going. I believe it was 100kph road and i was overtaking at about 120-125 on spidometer. Maybe more.
Now i have the pleasure of waiting to see what if anything will arrive in post. Chances are it would have been cheaper just to miss the flight....
You won't get a fine in the post. Usually Sixt will pay the fine on your behalf then invoice you or charge your credit card for the fine + an admin fee.Now i have the pleasure of waiting to see what if anything will arrive in post. Chances are it would have been cheaper just to miss the flight....
For that speed, they won't charge the rental company a fixed fine, they will be coming after you direct for a very large sum.
Now you have replied to the first letter you have less options but one of them is to ignore it if you don't plan to go back there much in the future!
They are quite limited in what they can do if you don't cooperate and as long as you don't get stopped entering Switzerland at a manned immigration post (i.e. Geneva airport) or are identified by Police for some reason when you are in Switzerland, you'll be OK.
I got a letter for the same over the limit as you a couple of years ago and have ignored it. I reckon I would have been looking at a £2k-£3k fine if I had responded. They seem to have given up sending me threatening letters now, but I'm not planning on going back there anyway and if I do I'll enter from France.
Now you have replied to the first letter you have less options but one of them is to ignore it if you don't plan to go back there much in the future!
They are quite limited in what they can do if you don't cooperate and as long as you don't get stopped entering Switzerland at a manned immigration post (i.e. Geneva airport) or are identified by Police for some reason when you are in Switzerland, you'll be OK.
I got a letter for the same over the limit as you a couple of years ago and have ignored it. I reckon I would have been looking at a £2k-£3k fine if I had responded. They seem to have given up sending me threatening letters now, but I'm not planning on going back there anyway and if I do I'll enter from France.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff