Italian Speeding Ticket

exel1966

Yesterday I received through the post a speeding ticket issued in Italy during May last year fining me 57 Euros. Most of it is in Italian so it's quite difficult to understand, but the general gist is that I was caught by a speed camera exceeding 70kmph. Avis very kindly passed on my details to them !

Should I pay up ? Should I ignore it ? Should their be a time limit in which I should have been notified ? Anyone have any experience of receiving such a fine ?

Thanks

ManAtHome

I'd try googling any address on the form - there have been a number of cases (mainly in Spain) of car-hire workers allegedly passing details on to scammers.

Cardew

I had a similar thing some years ago, in my own car. I got this huge package in Italian that fortunately a friend translated.

I had been fined, but it had been suspended and I did not need to pay. However if I offended again in Italy I would be liable for both offences!! Could this be the same in your case?

I believe some countries have a arrangement with hire car companies where they pay the fine and deduct that sum from your credit card. However that probably doesn't happen in Italy as it takes months for the authorities to process paperwork - as you 9 month delay illustrates.

Ouro

You would think they would translate it if they knew they were sending it to the UK, I would defenitley try and contact them, also last May seems like a long time to wait for a speeding ticket makes it seem more suspicious.

Cardew

Ouro wrote:

You would think they would translate it if they knew they were sending it to the UK, I would defenitley try and contact them, also last May seems like a long time to wait for a speeding ticket makes it seem more suspicious.

Mine took even longer as I was living in Germany at the time of the offence, but back in UK when I got my package of documents(by recorded delivery). The documents were a work of art with all sorts of official stamps and signatures. I dread to think how much effort and cost went into tracing me and then to waive the fine! But hey thats Italy!

bordercars

dont pay it, it is well documented that in the uk we do not go after motoring offences commited by foriegn drivers because of the cost and hassle, if they dont pay here why should we there,

european union all treated the same my bottom

Wig

I have heard that these things are passed onto private companies who have no right to persue you for the money, and if you forget about it you will hear nothing or very little more on it.

If it were me I'd forget about it and leave the ball in their court. Chances are they will not bother.

Who is the letter from? Have you had it translated? Have you asked on Honest John/discussion ?

hjb123

You can translate text on the following page if that helps:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/


Seems a long time to have passed before chasing! And to say that in our country our police dont really bother chasing foreign drivers!

exel1966

Thank for the replies chaps. One thing I forgot to mention is that it came by way of recorded delivery. My partner signed for, obviously not knowing what it was and it does appear to be genuine.

I have already got some of it translated and it basically states that I was caught by a camera in a tunnel and I have 60 days in which to pay the police directly or make representation to the court to have my case heard or review the evidence (ie. the picture from the camera). If I do neither it states that I may be liable to half of the maximum fine permitted, though it doesn't state what that is.

trigger_mike

read this site, it says the speed limit is is 90kh/m on a open road so why would you be fined for doing 70kh/m?
http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-italy.htm
Also was you in italy last may?

IN_LIKE_EVERYONE_ELSE!

Ere listen, you tell the Italian Ambassador from me, that every Ice cream parlour and dry cleaners from Brighton to Glasgow will be blown to smithereens if he doesn't cancel that parking ticket, Mr Bridger will not be messed with.

The self preservation society.

Apologies to Michael Cane.