French fines.... again... advice needed
Discussion
Guys,
Whilst cruising back from Reims yesterday, I allowed myself the mistake of using a clear,dry, empty French motorway. I was stopped by the Gendarmie who had "clocked" me at 210KPH... greater than 40 KMs over the limit, inposed a 750 euro fine and "banned" me from driving, witheld my licence, but allowed my wife to drive the 100 miles to Calais. My questions are...
1. Do I need to do anything about the Court appearance... ie appear in person, write a letter of guilt... or ignore it completely...
2. I am assuming at court I could then get the fine increased (1500 euros maximum) and a ban on French roads...
Anybody have any experience of this type of offence and the likely further implications...
I don't need any "flaming" about excessive speed, I acknowledge the error of my ways... but after our overcrowded roads, French motorways are too inviting, but not anymore...
Cheers
Porker996
Whilst cruising back from Reims yesterday, I allowed myself the mistake of using a clear,dry, empty French motorway. I was stopped by the Gendarmie who had "clocked" me at 210KPH... greater than 40 KMs over the limit, inposed a 750 euro fine and "banned" me from driving, witheld my licence, but allowed my wife to drive the 100 miles to Calais. My questions are...
1. Do I need to do anything about the Court appearance... ie appear in person, write a letter of guilt... or ignore it completely...
2. I am assuming at court I could then get the fine increased (1500 euros maximum) and a ban on French roads...
Anybody have any experience of this type of offence and the likely further implications...
I don't need any "flaming" about excessive speed, I acknowledge the error of my ways... but after our overcrowded roads, French motorways are too inviting, but not anymore...
Cheers
Porker996
Can't help with your questions, but Eric Clapton got done for a simialr speed in 2004 in France, and got a ban (France only) and 750 euro fine.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3742416.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3742416.stm
Hey Porker - guess you got nicked by the same lot as me !
got done twice in 30 mins - yellow corvette - pretty sure you went past me at some point !
They got me at 170kph - but that was BS - i argued them down to a 90 euro fine
My car is fully loaded with covert detection and nothing went off
I'd asked for photo evidence - but since you've paid the fine - bit late now
Just report your license stolen to the DVLA and get a new one - i always have my old paper license for just these occasions
got done twice in 30 mins - yellow corvette - pretty sure you went past me at some point !
They got me at 170kph - but that was BS - i argued them down to a 90 euro fine
My car is fully loaded with covert detection and nothing went off
I'd asked for photo evidence - but since you've paid the fine - bit late now
Just report your license stolen to the DVLA and get a new one - i always have my old paper license for just these occasions
Edited by woof on Tuesday 29th May 11:58
there's a thread re Le Mans on here somewhere - when a load of guys got the same 750 fine - can't remember what the outcome was - but i know one had a court summons - but i think you ignore it - and send a letter saying that you won't be attending and then they authorise the original fine or something like that
Woof,
Thanks, my car is a burnt orange (ZannibarRed) GT3.... I don't speak much french, so couldn't argue the toss, however at 210Kph, its more than 50 Kph over the limit, so I believe they have no leeway.... But I agree, I didn't think my speed was that high, its an old type binocular/speed camera that they used, probably not calibrated for years, not that i am looking for excuses...it was a fair cop...
looks like I now need to go to the Embassy in London to reclaim my licence and get another verbal bollocking...
I will plead guilty by post... and move on..
Cheers
Porker996
Thanks, my car is a burnt orange (ZannibarRed) GT3.... I don't speak much french, so couldn't argue the toss, however at 210Kph, its more than 50 Kph over the limit, so I believe they have no leeway.... But I agree, I didn't think my speed was that high, its an old type binocular/speed camera that they used, probably not calibrated for years, not that i am looking for excuses...it was a fair cop...
looks like I now need to go to the Embassy in London to reclaim my licence and get another verbal bollocking...
I will plead guilty by post... and move on..
Cheers
Porker996
I got caught last year on the way to Le Mans, and was slapped with a €750 fine and a ban in France. I haven't had anything back in the post since. But i gave them a photocopy of my license not the real thing as i pretended not to understand that they needed the real one!
I guess the cash went in their pockets!
I guess the cash went in their pockets!
A friend had the same....750 on the spot, license confiscated (sp?) and the invite by the French Embassy to go and get it and pay the court imposed fine.
He'd already declared his license lost to the DVLA and ignored the EMbassy invitation and not heard a thing since.
Mind you not sure what would happen if he got stopped again in France but do know that border controls don't present an issue!!
He'd already declared his license lost to the DVLA and ignored the EMbassy invitation and not heard a thing since.
Mind you not sure what would happen if he got stopped again in France but do know that border controls don't present an issue!!
woof said:
They got me at 170kph - but that was BS - i argued them down to a 90 euro fine
My car is fully loaded with covert detection and nothing went off
Just out of interest what detection system did you use , My car is fully loaded with covert detection and nothing went off
Edited by woof on Tuesday 29th May 11:58
would be useful to know what detectors pick up french police and which dont
cheers
Hi
I've got Blinders - tested them against all laser and jammed everything (yes i know - very illegal in France but they have find them on the car - not likely , considering i had 2 sets of police look the whole car over and didn't see them
- just throws a general error on the guns
I've got a Bel 955 as well - and that picks all the normal radar bands up - also was running a GPS nav with camera and speed trap locations - but i already knew that the french police move their traps around all the time
I think they were timing the gaps - saw both police cars and i guess a set distance - slowed down for both - but of course if they were timing, then it would of been an average. Or they were just guessing speeds and targeting foreign cars - i was overtaken by a French car and they ignored him !
It's the 200 miles south from Calais that's the worst stretch for it - next time I'm going overnight and avoid it all
Driving at 85mph for 900 miles is just to tedious. After my second ticket in 30 mins i decided that perhaps i should try and keep to the speed limit
I've got Blinders - tested them against all laser and jammed everything (yes i know - very illegal in France but they have find them on the car - not likely , considering i had 2 sets of police look the whole car over and didn't see them
- just throws a general error on the gunsI've got a Bel 955 as well - and that picks all the normal radar bands up - also was running a GPS nav with camera and speed trap locations - but i already knew that the french police move their traps around all the time
I think they were timing the gaps - saw both police cars and i guess a set distance - slowed down for both - but of course if they were timing, then it would of been an average. Or they were just guessing speeds and targeting foreign cars - i was overtaken by a French car and they ignored him !
It's the 200 miles south from Calais that's the worst stretch for it - next time I'm going overnight and avoid it all
Driving at 85mph for 900 miles is just to tedious. After my second ticket in 30 mins i decided that perhaps i should try and keep to the speed limit
porker996 said:
...but after our overcrowded roads, French motorways are too inviting...
Yes indeed.Were these guys at a filling station - I went in to refuel and found them at the exit - think they were pissed off they missed me. The only thing I could think of doing when he turned round to see us going down the entry road (slowly) was to give him a shrug and big smile!
Sorry you got caught - saw a couple of guys on the train who also got caught (one banned and a 2 hour police station visit). They mentioned seeing a Porker driver stopped - but their fines were only 135 and 90 euros so it sounds very consistent.
Edited by NobleGuy on Tuesday 29th May 17:04
Guys,
Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
However I am now beginning to doubt that I will see my licence back before the Court date ( September), as that is the only likely hold they have over me now....
Cheers
Porker996
Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
However I am now beginning to doubt that I will see my licence back before the Court date ( September), as that is the only likely hold they have over me now....
Cheers
Porker996
porker996 said:
Guys,
Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
However I am now beginning to doubt that I will see my licence back before the Court date ( September), as that is the only likely hold they have over me now....
Cheers
Porker996
do you mean the license you lost on holiday....Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
However I am now beginning to doubt that I will see my licence back before the Court date ( September), as that is the only likely hold they have over me now....
Cheers
Porker996
porker996 said:
Guys,
Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
Actually the major offence is 50 kph or more over the limit. That is when it can get serious.Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
Serious = 1500 euro, 3 year ban and the option to confiscate the vehicle if the driver is the owner.
They will no doubt consider any fine currently paid as 'the first installment'......
No precise details of what would happen if they caught you driving in France during the period of any imposed ban though.
Edited by Le TVR on Wednesday 30th May 08:32
Le TVR said:
porker996 said:
Guys,
Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
Actually the major offence is 50 kph or more over the limit. That is when it can get serious.Thanks for your input, lesson learnt...not to exceed the posted limit by more than 40 kph... I can live with 90 euros a time.......
Serious = 1500 euro, 3 year ban and the option to confiscate the vehicle if the driver is the owner.
They will no doubt consider any fine currently paid as 'the first installment'......
No precise details of what would happen if they caught you driving in France during the period of any imposed ban though.
flemke said:
Are you sure that a visitor's car can be permanently taken from him?
Precedent exists. IIRC it was a German tourist that 'had' an M5.
Car was sold at auction.
However, if they let you leave the country with the car then I dont imagine even the most optimistic judge will expect you to bring it back for them to have the possibility to seize it.......
Edited by Le TVR on Wednesday 30th May 10:45
Le TVR said:
flemke said:
Are you sure that a visitor's car can be permanently taken from him?
Precedent exists. IIRC it was a German tourist that 'had' an M5.
Car was sold at auction.
However, if they let you leave the country with the car then I dont imagine even the most optimistic judge will expect you to bring it back for them to have the possibility to seize it.......
Maybe the car was impounded and he failed to return for his hearing, for whatever reason, or maybe there were other charges against him?
Guys,
Small update, according to the French Embassy, nice sounding french lady, who was joking with me... she says my licence will be returned to them in about 4 weeks. Then I have to go and collect it from her and sign some forms ??
She also gave me the number of a English lawyer who advises people in french traffic law. I will keep you all up to speed...ha ha
Porker 996
Small update, according to the French Embassy, nice sounding french lady, who was joking with me... she says my licence will be returned to them in about 4 weeks. Then I have to go and collect it from her and sign some forms ??
She also gave me the number of a English lawyer who advises people in french traffic law. I will keep you all up to speed...ha ha
Porker 996
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