Speeding ticket in Germany: how do I handle this?
Jul 23rd, 2014, 12:21 AM
#41
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The speed limit according the document was 70 and I spent a week driving in Belgium including most of the day I drove in NL and got the ticket.
And, once again, I am sure everybody here has always driven at the limit or less. And if a country and people are that rigid they need to enforce and defend their rules without exception, than it speaks more about them, than it does then those who break the laws. Oddly enough, the Dutch brag about how liberal and tolerant they are, except when someone is that overt to break their laws by the smallest degree.
And, once again, I am sure everybody here has always driven at the limit or less. And if a country and people are that rigid they need to enforce and defend their rules without exception, than it speaks more about them, than it does then those who break the laws. Oddly enough, the Dutch brag about how liberal and tolerant they are, except when someone is that overt to break their laws by the smallest degree.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 02:12 AM
#42
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In the camera box there is no little xenophobic gnome who pulls the trigger with an evil laughter each time a tourist passes by.
You can be sure that that camera in NL which took your picture issues by far the most tickets to Dutch drivers and not to those few from abroad. So *they*, the Dutch, enforce *their* rules mostly on *themselves*.
It's a camera that is set to take a picture once you are x kph over the limit. The machine also deducts some kph in your favor. So if you speed by the "smallest degree" according to your car's odometer, you don't get a ticket.
If you cannot live with the fact that "going with the flow" will help nothing in avoiding a ticket or that there will be no sheriff chasing you down the highway and with whom you can try to negotiate if you get a ticket or not then you should not drive here.
You can be sure that that camera in NL which took your picture issues by far the most tickets to Dutch drivers and not to those few from abroad. So *they*, the Dutch, enforce *their* rules mostly on *themselves*.
It's a camera that is set to take a picture once you are x kph over the limit. The machine also deducts some kph in your favor. So if you speed by the "smallest degree" according to your car's odometer, you don't get a ticket.
If you cannot live with the fact that "going with the flow" will help nothing in avoiding a ticket or that there will be no sheriff chasing you down the highway and with whom you can try to negotiate if you get a ticket or not then you should not drive here.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 02:43 AM
#43
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"And if a country and people are that rigid they need to enforce and defend their rules without exception, than it speaks more about them, than it does then those who break the laws."
We were staying at a campsite inside Glacier National Park in the U.S., and left the site one evening to have a meal. There was a hut at the camp exit, where a ranger sat in the daytime, but the hut was closed. By the hut was a stop sign. As the hut was closed, I drove straight on, but my American sister-in-law was horrified. As far as she was concerned, you always stopped at a stop sign, even if it achieved nothing.
Some countries think one thing is important, other countries have different views. Speeding is an offence virtually everywhere. You want to visit a country, you have to follow their rules. Now get over it.
We were staying at a campsite inside Glacier National Park in the U.S., and left the site one evening to have a meal. There was a hut at the camp exit, where a ranger sat in the daytime, but the hut was closed. By the hut was a stop sign. As the hut was closed, I drove straight on, but my American sister-in-law was horrified. As far as she was concerned, you always stopped at a stop sign, even if it achieved nothing.
Some countries think one thing is important, other countries have different views. Speeding is an offence virtually everywhere. You want to visit a country, you have to follow their rules. Now get over it.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 03:02 AM
#44
>>>I assume "handling" means receiving the ticket and sending me the notification.<<<
No, the fee the rental company charges is for giving your info to the police (the police tracked the license to them, but they needed to know who rented that day). If you read your rental car contract, you would see the fee listed there as a possible charge. It's also on rental car contracts in the US, but nobody ever reads them.
No, the fee the rental company charges is for giving your info to the police (the police tracked the license to them, but they needed to know who rented that day). If you read your rental car contract, you would see the fee listed there as a possible charge. It's also on rental car contracts in the US, but nobody ever reads them.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 03:36 AM
#45
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<i><font color=#555555>"You like to drive fast? Some people like to live without fear of being mown down or sideswiped by a cocky American tourist in a rental car. The nerve!"</font></i>
Not nerve, sweetie. Experience. And expert training. I realize not everyone can say Paul Newman was their teacher.
Btw, I have never received a speeding ticket anywhere. Not one camera ticket, either. And I was a teenager the last time I dented another person's car. I'll be in Lake Como soon, driving for the ninth summer in a row. I sure hope this thread won't jinx me, since so many of you are unlucky.
Not nerve, sweetie. Experience. And expert training. I realize not everyone can say Paul Newman was their teacher.
Btw, I have never received a speeding ticket anywhere. Not one camera ticket, either. And I was a teenager the last time I dented another person's car. I'll be in Lake Como soon, driving for the ninth summer in a row. I sure hope this thread won't jinx me, since so many of you are unlucky.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 05:21 AM
#46
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I am always amazed at the responders to threads like this who are "legends in their own minds." (I have wanted to say that for years.)
Anyway, whether you pay the fine or not is your decision. As I also was lucky or unlucky to be notified that I had indeed exceeded the speed limit in northern Germany at a ruarl intersection last December, I determined that if I were to return to Germany on the future and did not want to chance an issue (after spending a large amount of money to travel to Germeny,) that I should just pay the 30 euro fine. (I looked at this experience as now being the proud owner of a wonderful picture of myself behind the wheel.)
Faced with the issue of how to pay this (they did not accept cc's,) I went to my local bank to wire transfer the funds to Germany only to find that the routing number was incorrect. Of course the transfer fee was a tidy $60 USD extra.
I then noted an email contact for a person for that governing body whom was responsible for collections. I wrote her advising that I wished to pay the fine but was having difficulty with said routing number. She wrote back that they wouldly gladly accept a check.
My bank would/could not issue a cashiers check in euros so in the end, I converted the fine amount to dollars and sent that check to Germany assuming that they would have to expertise to handle the transaction. That was early January and have not had any other conversation regarding this issue. I assumed that the governing body was very glad to have the funds.
Was this an unwise and needless decision on my part? Whom knows but at least I should be able to travel to Germany in the future without any issue popping up from a central data base indicating that a small fine had not been paid a few years before which now amounted to a large fine.
Anyway, whether you pay the fine or not is your decision. As I also was lucky or unlucky to be notified that I had indeed exceeded the speed limit in northern Germany at a ruarl intersection last December, I determined that if I were to return to Germany on the future and did not want to chance an issue (after spending a large amount of money to travel to Germeny,) that I should just pay the 30 euro fine. (I looked at this experience as now being the proud owner of a wonderful picture of myself behind the wheel.)
Faced with the issue of how to pay this (they did not accept cc's,) I went to my local bank to wire transfer the funds to Germany only to find that the routing number was incorrect. Of course the transfer fee was a tidy $60 USD extra.
I then noted an email contact for a person for that governing body whom was responsible for collections. I wrote her advising that I wished to pay the fine but was having difficulty with said routing number. She wrote back that they wouldly gladly accept a check.
My bank would/could not issue a cashiers check in euros so in the end, I converted the fine amount to dollars and sent that check to Germany assuming that they would have to expertise to handle the transaction. That was early January and have not had any other conversation regarding this issue. I assumed that the governing body was very glad to have the funds.
Was this an unwise and needless decision on my part? Whom knows but at least I should be able to travel to Germany in the future without any issue popping up from a central data base indicating that a small fine had not been paid a few years before which now amounted to a large fine.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 07:19 AM
#47
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<i><font color=#555555>"Not to mention that speed limits exist EVERYWHERE."</font></i>
I can't remember the last time I saw a speed limit sign on the streets of Manhattan. I know there is a limit, but I don't recall what it is. And good luck telling a taxi driver not to drive fast when it's his livelihood.
I don't know a single tourist who drives here in Manhattan and complains about receiving a speeding ticket 4-6 months later. Tourism in NYC this year hit an all-time high.
<i><font color=#555555>"Oh, please. As if speed limits and their enforcement ever caused anyone to say "Europe, I think I'll skip it.""</font></i>
But it's not just the threat of a speeding ticket for a 5mph infraction (which is really abusive, IMO). It's the cameras, the fine notifications, and the car rental assist fee received 6 months to a year later. 99.9% of these drivers are not criminals or speed demons. I would argue most are very conscientious drivers who just happen to get trapped. IMO, the camera/ticket thing is a trapping game to squeeze more money from the drivers. City business 101. One can only wonder where some of this money ends up.
<i><font color=#555555>"Having paid a thousand dollars or more to fly there, who knows how much for a hotel and restaurants and admission charges and tickets for events, a tourist is unlikely to go bust over a $200 speeding ticket."</font></i>
The numbers of middle class tourists traveling to Europe has dropped significantly since 2008. The planes carrying passengers are the smallest ever. An executive for Europcar told me recently that the reason there are fewer automatic vehicles available is because the American customer is not there requesting them.
Obviously, there are many reasons why people decide against going to Europe. The camera/ticket threat is just one more nail in the coffin of discouragement, IMO.
I can't remember the last time I saw a speed limit sign on the streets of Manhattan. I know there is a limit, but I don't recall what it is. And good luck telling a taxi driver not to drive fast when it's his livelihood.
I don't know a single tourist who drives here in Manhattan and complains about receiving a speeding ticket 4-6 months later. Tourism in NYC this year hit an all-time high.
<i><font color=#555555>"Oh, please. As if speed limits and their enforcement ever caused anyone to say "Europe, I think I'll skip it.""</font></i>
But it's not just the threat of a speeding ticket for a 5mph infraction (which is really abusive, IMO). It's the cameras, the fine notifications, and the car rental assist fee received 6 months to a year later. 99.9% of these drivers are not criminals or speed demons. I would argue most are very conscientious drivers who just happen to get trapped. IMO, the camera/ticket thing is a trapping game to squeeze more money from the drivers. City business 101. One can only wonder where some of this money ends up.
<i><font color=#555555>"Having paid a thousand dollars or more to fly there, who knows how much for a hotel and restaurants and admission charges and tickets for events, a tourist is unlikely to go bust over a $200 speeding ticket."</font></i>
The numbers of middle class tourists traveling to Europe has dropped significantly since 2008. The planes carrying passengers are the smallest ever. An executive for Europcar told me recently that the reason there are fewer automatic vehicles available is because the American customer is not there requesting them.
Obviously, there are many reasons why people decide against going to Europe. The camera/ticket threat is just one more nail in the coffin of discouragement, IMO.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 07:33 AM
#48
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Even Sarah Palin gets speeding tickets, you guys. No one is immune.
http://jezebel.com/regular-person-sa...ket-1609184233
http://jezebel.com/regular-person-sa...ket-1609184233
Jul 23rd, 2014, 08:19 AM
#50
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Dutch police catching and fining a non Dutch car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Ag17rdrDE
Maybe this was IMDH????? ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Ag17rdrDE
Maybe this was IMDH????? ;-)
Jul 23rd, 2014, 08:28 AM
#51
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Speed camera locations in Germany:
http://www.radarfalle.de/
http://www.blitzer.de/
Speed camera locations in The Netherlands.
http://flits.flitsservice.nl/meldingen/vandaag.aspx
http://flitspaal.net/
Belgium
http://flitspaal.net/flitspalen/belgie
http://flits.bnet.be/index.php
There will more covering all other European counties, except France. In France it is illegal to publish locations of speed traps.
All GPS units will also have speed camera files which are installed or can be installed.
http://www.radarfalle.de/
http://www.blitzer.de/
Speed camera locations in The Netherlands.
http://flits.flitsservice.nl/meldingen/vandaag.aspx
http://flitspaal.net/
Belgium
http://flitspaal.net/flitspalen/belgie
http://flits.bnet.be/index.php
There will more covering all other European counties, except France. In France it is illegal to publish locations of speed traps.
All GPS units will also have speed camera files which are installed or can be installed.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 08:56 AM
#52
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I understand that tourist offices all over Europe are having emergency meetings this evening, because they are worried that NYCFoodSnob may not visit again through fear of being caught in a speed trap.
Talk about self-importance.
Talk about self-importance.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 09:42 AM
#54
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"In France it is illegal to publish locations of speed traps."
No, it is not : http://www.radars-auto.com/carte-radar/
What's illegal is to have a speed camera detector in the car :
it is "strictly forbidden under article R413-15 of the French 'Code de la Route' (highway code) to have a speed camera detector in a car in France, regardless of whether or not it is being used.
Penalties can include fines of up to €1,500, confiscation of the device and of the vehicle.
Until recently this legislation didn't apply to satellite navigation or other GPS-based systems capable of displaying fixed speed camera locations as points of interest (PoI)."
No, it is not : http://www.radars-auto.com/carte-radar/
What's illegal is to have a speed camera detector in the car :
it is "strictly forbidden under article R413-15 of the French 'Code de la Route' (highway code) to have a speed camera detector in a car in France, regardless of whether or not it is being used.
Penalties can include fines of up to €1,500, confiscation of the device and of the vehicle.
Until recently this legislation didn't apply to satellite navigation or other GPS-based systems capable of displaying fixed speed camera locations as points of interest (PoI)."
Jul 23rd, 2014, 10:51 AM
#55
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Dutch police catching and fining a non Dutch car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Ag17rdrDE
Maybe this was IMDH?????
That was me. Am I going viral?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Ag17rdrDE
Maybe this was IMDH?????
That was me. Am I going viral?
Jul 23rd, 2014, 02:19 PM
#56
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I'm really sick of this whole thing. I don't want to spend $45 on a wire transfer, and I don't want to spend $30 on a foreign draft.
I decided to try an international money order from the post office. I went the h*ll and gone all over town to three different post offices to get an international money order, only to find out that I couldn't get one for Germany. Crazy!
I'm fed up, but I do want to pay this thing, so I've decided to write a cover letter and enclose the paperwork they sent me, then I'll send the 30 euros (I have some left over from my last trip) in cash in a registered letter. The recipient will have to sign for the letter. If the recipient steals it--not my problem.
But this is Germany, and I have great faith in the honesty of Germans. At any rate, I will have made a genuine attempt to pay the ticket, so it will be off my conscience.
I decided to try an international money order from the post office. I went the h*ll and gone all over town to three different post offices to get an international money order, only to find out that I couldn't get one for Germany. Crazy!
I'm fed up, but I do want to pay this thing, so I've decided to write a cover letter and enclose the paperwork they sent me, then I'll send the 30 euros (I have some left over from my last trip) in cash in a registered letter. The recipient will have to sign for the letter. If the recipient steals it--not my problem.
But this is Germany, and I have great faith in the honesty of Germans. At any rate, I will have made a genuine attempt to pay the ticket, so it will be off my conscience.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 02:24 PM
#57
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<i>I've decided to write a cover letter and enclose the paperwork they sent me, then I'll send the 30 euros (I have some left over from my last trip) in cash in a registered letter. The recipient will have to sign for the letter. If the recipient steals it--not my problem.</i>
Ask for an acknowledgement and see what happens.
Ask for an acknowledgement and see what happens.
Jul 23rd, 2014, 04:07 PM
#60
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I am quaking in my boots, I tell you --- quaking. I received a speeding ticket this week from France, earned on the first day of my rental period. I drove for 30 days.
This is going to be a long, hot summer as I wait for others to appear. I tried very hard to obey limits, but it wasn't always terribly clear what they were.
France does make it very easy to pay online, though. Lucky me!
This is going to be a long, hot summer as I wait for others to appear. I tried very hard to obey limits, but it wasn't always terribly clear what they were.
France does make it very easy to pay online, though. Lucky me!
