Celia

Arthur, I admit we could have been scammed in the South Africa incident. And as I think back on it, I remember that my husband and I wondered at the time, and discussed the possibility that we'd been had. Looks like we were.

But in Swaziland, we were caught in a speed trap (at a spot where the speed limit changes sort of suddenly and the sign announcing it is sort of hidden) along with other motorists ahead of and behind us. The Swazi police -- there were four or five of them there -- filled out all sorts of forms and gave us copies, along with a receipt for the payment, listing the time and place and amount. So I do think that in Swaziland it's standard operating procedure. My "all the time" remark was based on the two experiences in Swaziland. Thanks for the correction!

Celia

ArthurSA

Celia, I was only referring to South Africa. And I have since found a reference to being able to pay outstanding fines at road blocks by cash or card, although I doubt that all or even many would be equipped to actually do that. perhaps just the major road blocks that are targeting motorists with outstanding fines. But where that can be done for old fines (where a summons has already been issued), one should perhaps expect that it could be done for the fine that has just been incurred.

I guess I was mostly reacting to the "done all the time by South Africans". I think that even if a valid "pay now" facility was offered, almost all South Africans (myself included) would want to delay things as long as possible. Also in the forlorn hope that somehow the problem would somehow go away! (But without payment of a bribe.)

In hindsight I wish there could have been such a payment facility for my most recent speeding fine that I mentioned earlier. It was in a different Province to where I live and work and I only realised later that there is no way to pay a fine in a different Province. It has to be done in the Province in which it was issued, or by mail. The latter has to be by money or postal order, or by bank guaranteed cheque. I was worried about the security of the former, so I went for the latter. So I had to go specially into my bank branch and get the cheque (fortunately covered in my banking package, but a cost for some), and then to a post office to send it registered mail. A pain all round.

I've gone into all this detail because it occurred to me that it would be at least as painful for a visitor to have to pay a fine in the same circumstances. So the advice is to find the nearest police station before leaving the Province. Or ignore the fine and hope it doesn't re-emerge at immigration if you ever visit again? (I never said that!) But if you're in a rental car I suppose there would be no escape. You'd get billed for the fine and I think an "admin" charge for taking care of it.

Cranachin

Buckeyeknitter,

Don't know if you are still monitoring this thread, but I just noticed the fine print in my rental car agreement for next moth says

INSURANCE WAIVERS for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Loss Waiver (TLW) are MANDATORY. The minimum waivers to be taken must be collision damage waiver & theft loss waiver. Renters may not decline the waivers and use charge card/credit card insurance coverage.


This is on a pre-booked rental (but not prepaid) through the car rental company's US website.

christabir

Cranachin - I checked the same thing when the CDW didn't come up as an add-on. But I couldn't see how much it paid for. So we'll still get added coverage with our travel/health insurance.

Buckeyeknitter

Thanks so much for all your help - I have to admit I am still confussd but when my mind is a little clearer I will reread the posts. I had not checked the forum in a week or so due to personal commitments. Will let you know when I do

thanks
pam