Speeding fine for a foreign visitor to UK!

rosdif

Hello all,

my dad came here in UK from Italy to visit me and, eager to try the 'drive on the other side of the road', was caught on a speed camera!!!!
Now he's gone back to Italy and I've received the letter from Surrey Police informing me of exceeding the speed limit and to provide them with the name of the driver at the time. If I give them my dad's details, how are they going to proceed? Will he be summoned to court/charged a fine, even though he lives in another country?

Thanks a lot for your answers
Rosario

Fifer

All you can do is provide the information requested. They possibly won't pursue it, although they might want to know if he was insured to drive the car.

rosdif

Good point, I didnt think of that! He isn't insured to drive my car but his italian insurance covers him when he drives abroad.. so maybe that's enough.. would it be a good idea if I call the police and ask them?

hjb123

If your insurance doesnt cover him to drive your car then how come he was driving it? Have you thought about accepting the fine and points yourself and getting your Dad to pay you for them?!

rosdif

Italian insurances work different than the UK ones, it's the driver to be insured, not the car. That means any person can drive any car and still be insured for it (if they are insured of course), so my dad's insurance will cover him to drive my car here in UK (I had this confirmed in writing by them).
Yes, I thought of taking the blame and he can pay me back, the only thing he can't take will be the endorsement points I guess that will be put on my license, not his !! :mad:

shelly

Personally I wouldn't take the blame and/or endorsements for him. I'd give the police the info they requested and let them do what they have to do. We all speed at some time but if we get caught we have to accept it IMO.

hjb123

Charge him a set amount for each points! I have heard of people doing that before - when they are almost at the limit and the points would mean them being disqualified they pay others to get them!

Its either that or name your Dad as the driver - could take a while and he probably wouldnt get chased - they often dont bother with foreign drivers! Its whether its worth all the hassle!

Suewre

I think it is an offence if you admit to the speeding and you know it wasn't you. (If they catch you that is). Probably best to be honest.

rchddap1

I'd name my Dad. My father would certainly understand and would actually expect me to be completely honest. To do anything else in my mind wouldn't be right.

rosdif

Thanks a lot to all of you!
So the general feeling is I should blame my dad (as I wanted to do anyway ) but my question is what will happen next, will they call him to appear in court or what?

hjb123

If its only speeding he wont have to appear in court unless he is contesting it! What speed was he doing in what limit? If they decide to go ahead and trace him they will probably fine and point him.