Traffic fine one year later! What to do?
Nov 7th, 2013, 01:26 PM
#22
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As for the ZTLs, they have been discussed extensively on this forum and they are no different than non-posted, i.e. assumed, speed limits.>>
I'm not sure what that means, the ZTLs have signs posted when entering that area, they aren't secret and they are pretty big signs. If you were going to drive in a foreign country, you should brush up on the traffic signs and what they mean.
Here's a photo of several in Pisa http://www.athomeintuscany.org/2011/...-traffic-zone/
I agree that a locals would probably have a better idea of those zones, though, and exactly where they were. A lot of tourists don't care about local laws or make any effort to even understand what local traffic signs mean. Such as in France, eg, "acces interdit sauf aux riverains" signs are always on the road when entering those towns, or something similar.
I'm not sure what that means, the ZTLs have signs posted when entering that area, they aren't secret and they are pretty big signs. If you were going to drive in a foreign country, you should brush up on the traffic signs and what they mean.
Here's a photo of several in Pisa http://www.athomeintuscany.org/2011/...-traffic-zone/
I agree that a locals would probably have a better idea of those zones, though, and exactly where they were. A lot of tourists don't care about local laws or make any effort to even understand what local traffic signs mean. Such as in France, eg, "acces interdit sauf aux riverains" signs are always on the road when entering those towns, or something similar.
Nov 7th, 2013, 02:28 PM
#23
I had a similar experience. On the last day of a 2 week trip, while driving to our hotel in downtown Milan, I unknowingly entered a ZTL. I was well aware of ZTL's and meticulously avoided them throughout the trip... until that final, fateful day.
I received a roughly $140 fine in the mail 7+ months later. Like someone else in this thread, I searched on Google Maps and, with some difficulty, determined the specific intersection of my transgression. The small cameras next to the overhead traffic lights were clearly visible on Google but, at least at the time this photo was made, the ZTL sign itself was mostly hidden by overhanging tree limbs. I was p/o'ed but accepted my fate and immediately paid the fine online.
Since then I have learned it may help to call in advance your hotel (and perhaps other facilities) -- especially in larger cities where most ZTL's live -- and ask them to inform the police of your impending arrival and your vehicle description/license plate number. Some people who knew they had violated a ZTL did this and never received a fine. It certainly couldn't hurt to try.
I received a roughly $140 fine in the mail 7+ months later. Like someone else in this thread, I searched on Google Maps and, with some difficulty, determined the specific intersection of my transgression. The small cameras next to the overhead traffic lights were clearly visible on Google but, at least at the time this photo was made, the ZTL sign itself was mostly hidden by overhanging tree limbs. I was p/o'ed but accepted my fate and immediately paid the fine online.
Since then I have learned it may help to call in advance your hotel (and perhaps other facilities) -- especially in larger cities where most ZTL's live -- and ask them to inform the police of your impending arrival and your vehicle description/license plate number. Some people who knew they had violated a ZTL did this and never received a fine. It certainly couldn't hurt to try.
Nov 7th, 2013, 03:06 PM
#26
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<i>I'm not sure what that means, </i>
ZTL signs are not obvious to one who is not aware that they exist. Similarly, the change in speed limit when coming to a town sign that may be several hundred years from the first houses depends on being aware that this is how speed is determined. Portugal is more obvious; a traffic light, even without an intersection, will be found at the entrance of a town, and if the approaching car is going faster than 50kph, the light will turn red.
ZTL signs are not obvious to one who is not aware that they exist. Similarly, the change in speed limit when coming to a town sign that may be several hundred years from the first houses depends on being aware that this is how speed is determined. Portugal is more obvious; a traffic light, even without an intersection, will be found at the entrance of a town, and if the approaching car is going faster than 50kph, the light will turn red.
Dec 25th, 2013, 06:10 AM
#28
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i received a traffic fee from POLIZIA LOCALE(LOCAL POLICE) - SABBIONETA - italy - 14 months later!!! the amezing fact is : i havent been in italy at that time!! the fee came by registered mail and it was on 22.9.2010 . me and my wife came to italy only on the 9.10.2012 .
i have in hand the car rental voucher with the specific days , i have a photo of the rented car -clearly seen the different plate number of the car . the telephone number and the mail written in the fee - are not working . i sent e-mails to the SABBIONETA POLICE STATION , all mails came back as un-dellivered mails .our internet company checked the domain of sabbioneta town - it doesnt exists . it seems that the rental companyes and the local police in italy are working together : they supply the towns details of tourists that were in italy months ago , and the local police send fees to them - even they didnt commited any offence or as my case - not been in italy at that time . any suggestions ?
i have in hand the car rental voucher with the specific days , i have a photo of the rented car -clearly seen the different plate number of the car . the telephone number and the mail written in the fee - are not working . i sent e-mails to the SABBIONETA POLICE STATION , all mails came back as un-dellivered mails .our internet company checked the domain of sabbioneta town - it doesnt exists . it seems that the rental companyes and the local police in italy are working together : they supply the towns details of tourists that were in italy months ago , and the local police send fees to them - even they didnt commited any offence or as my case - not been in italy at that time . any suggestions ?
Dec 25th, 2013, 06:22 AM
#29
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I still have tickets from 25 years ago from Siena and Bologna, must be a northern Italian thing and of course, that was pre-computers.
Once I was pulled over in Italy and had to pay the fine on the spot.
Another time, I told a policeman in English with a quizzical look, I needed a bathroom and after his face turned the color of a ripe tomato he let me go.
_____
Once I was pulled over in Italy and had to pay the fine on the spot.
Another time, I told a policeman in English with a quizzical look, I needed a bathroom and after his face turned the color of a ripe tomato he let me go.
_____
Dec 25th, 2013, 06:22 AM
#30
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Your assertion that local police and rental car co's are in cahoots is based on one data point? That's an absurd statement. It sounds like your case is one of mistaken identity. Mistakes do happen - need not be a conspiracy. I would send a registered mail letter to the police, cc the local rental car agency with your documented dates, then move on.
Dec 25th, 2013, 07:14 AM
#31
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In the US [some places in] South Carolina had a "pay or stay" policy. You paid the fine to the policeman who stopped you, or you had to follow him to the county seat to traffic court before continuing on your trip to Florida. This system was subject to abuse.
In Virginia, one small town containing about 2 1/2 miles of the highway writes more tickets than all the other municipalities on the route. But I don't think rental car companies are in cahoots with the authorities. We do it to ourselves.
In Virginia, one small town containing about 2 1/2 miles of the highway writes more tickets than all the other municipalities on the route. But I don't think rental car companies are in cahoots with the authorities. We do it to ourselves.
Dec 25th, 2013, 07:29 AM
#32
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Sabbioneta does exist: http://www.comune.sabbioneta.mn.it/s..._homepage.aspx. You might try sending a fax to the number given at the top of its page and see what happens, or find someone who speaks Italian and call the listed phone number.
Dec 25th, 2013, 11:46 AM
#34
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Let us inject a bit of logic.
By the very nature of car rental companies, care ars used for travel. DUH! So how would a car rental create a felonious relationship with each local police department? I'll bet you also thought that were was kid in the class who only appeared when there was a subsitute teacher named Dick Hertz.
By the very nature of car rental companies, care ars used for travel. DUH! So how would a car rental create a felonious relationship with each local police department? I'll bet you also thought that were was kid in the class who only appeared when there was a subsitute teacher named Dick Hertz.
Dec 25th, 2013, 10:31 PM
#35
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Polizia locale
Responsabile del Servizio Sindaco Dott. Marco Aroldi
Referente
Cristina Stuani
Davide Pilota
Pietro Di Bella
Luciana Bernardi ( impiegata amministrativa )
Recapiti
indirizzo : Piazza Ducale, 2
telefono : 0375 221008
telefono : 0375 223016
fax : 0375 220000
e-mail : [email protected]
e-mail : [email protected]
MICHAEL ,
I KNOW THE TOWN SABBIONETA REALLY EXISTS . THE OFFICIAL E-MAILS DONT.
THOSE ARE THE DETAILS OF THE POLICE FROM THE OFFICIAL SITE .
PLEASE , SEND A BLANK E-MAIL TO THOSE ADRESSES AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN. YOU MAY SEND TO OTHER DEPARTMENT AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN
Responsabile del Servizio Sindaco Dott. Marco Aroldi
Referente
Cristina Stuani
Davide Pilota
Pietro Di Bella
Luciana Bernardi ( impiegata amministrativa )
Recapiti
indirizzo : Piazza Ducale, 2
telefono : 0375 221008
telefono : 0375 223016
fax : 0375 220000
e-mail : [email protected]
e-mail : [email protected]
MICHAEL ,
I KNOW THE TOWN SABBIONETA REALLY EXISTS . THE OFFICIAL E-MAILS DONT.
THOSE ARE THE DETAILS OF THE POLICE FROM THE OFFICIAL SITE .
PLEASE , SEND A BLANK E-MAIL TO THOSE ADRESSES AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN. YOU MAY SEND TO OTHER DEPARTMENT AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN
Dec 26th, 2013, 01:51 AM
#36
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So, you can't handle this by email. It happens. No one is obliged to do business by email.
Calm down, make copies of all your papers and send them to the police with a written statement, preferably not in all capital letters. You may fax this or mail it to the authorities. Fax is still used in Italy to a greater extent than in the US, and they give their number.
You should also dispute the charges for the rental car notification fees with your credit card company. You will need copies of you documentation for them as well.
Do you write Italian? Is there a local college where someone can can translate your statement into Italian? If they will do it cheaply, I.e., less than the fine, it will make this simpler.
Calm down, make copies of all your papers and send them to the police with a written statement, preferably not in all capital letters. You may fax this or mail it to the authorities. Fax is still used in Italy to a greater extent than in the US, and they give their number.
You should also dispute the charges for the rental car notification fees with your credit card company. You will need copies of you documentation for them as well.
Do you write Italian? Is there a local college where someone can can translate your statement into Italian? If they will do it cheaply, I.e., less than the fine, it will make this simpler.
Dec 26th, 2013, 02:13 AM
#37
>>> i havent been in italy at that time!! the fee came by registered mail and it was on 22.9.2010 . me and my wife came to italy only on the 9.10.2012 .
i have in hand the car rental voucher with the specific days<<<
Keep in mind that in Europe the day is written first, then the month/year. 9.10.2012 would be 9th day of Oct. Make sure you are comparing dates correctly.
If you really didn't have the rental car during the date of the infraction, I would send them a copy of the rental with the dates. Usually the police have a contract with an outside company for collection of fees and it isn't the actual police department sending the ticket.
>>>You should also dispute the charges for the rental car notification fees with your credit card company. You will need copies of you documentation for them as well<<<
I would think it's much too late to dispute charges with your credit card as you have to do it within 60 days of the charge. If the OP traveled in 2010 any charge by the rental company for providing the OP's details would have happened then.
i have in hand the car rental voucher with the specific days<<<
Keep in mind that in Europe the day is written first, then the month/year. 9.10.2012 would be 9th day of Oct. Make sure you are comparing dates correctly.
If you really didn't have the rental car during the date of the infraction, I would send them a copy of the rental with the dates. Usually the police have a contract with an outside company for collection of fees and it isn't the actual police department sending the ticket.
>>>You should also dispute the charges for the rental car notification fees with your credit card company. You will need copies of you documentation for them as well<<<
I would think it's much too late to dispute charges with your credit card as you have to do it within 60 days of the charge. If the OP traveled in 2010 any charge by the rental company for providing the OP's details would have happened then.
Dec 26th, 2013, 07:21 AM
#39
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Send any correspondence registered mail; or perhaps you should contact the nearest Italian consulate to find out how you could resolve the problem. Does 9-22-2010 represent the date you received the letter in the States or the date of the infraction? If the former, don't you think it's a little late to raise the issue?
Dec 27th, 2013, 07:55 AM
#40
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Similar situation here. I received a notice from the Parma police nearly one year after driving into Parma, apparently in a restricted zone. Trouble is, I received two separate fines for violations committed 11 minutes apart while I was driving around in search of a parking lot. I am not unreasonable. I realize that although I do not speak much Italian and had no idea that I had wandered into a restricted zone, I am responsible for obeying traffic laws. I received two fines of 105 euros each. I willingly paid one. I am refusing to pay the other, since I consider them to be one offense, not two separate offenses. (If I had continued driving around another 10 minutes, would I have received four citations?) I am returning to Italy in March. I wonder whether customs agents will refuse me entry into the country because I failed to pay a traffic fine. Anyone have an opinion?
