speeding in france?

MsHoarder

B00st wrote: »

At the moment there is nothing in place which allows the French to charge British drivers if caught on an unmanned camera (being stopped by a Police car is a completely different matter, however).

If something does come through the post, just lob it in the bin.

Of course, if the OP then ever goes to France and has his passport checked, the French can start legal proceedings to claim the outstanding monies.

The OP may be better off paying the fine as they know they were speeding and there will therefore not be legal repercussions at a later date.

Exemplar

BigJL...

Great posts but it's were not where, sorry...

wba31

my mother (who goes on holiday to France a lot with my dad) warned me when i went with mates last year that if i get caught speeding (she knows me so well) the police would try and get me to pay a fine there and then due to the difficulties of chasing me once I'm back in the UK... I doubt they'll bother chasing you?

maninthestreet

wba31 wrote: »

my mother (who goes on holiday to France a lot with my dad) warned me when i went with mates last year that if i get caught speeding (she knows me so well) the police would try and get me to pay a fine there and then due to the difficulties of chasing me once I'm back in the UK... I doubt they'll bother chasing you?

The French have 'on-the-spot' fines for driving offences where you actually have to pay the fine there and then, otherwise your car is seized.

Ebe_Scrooge

I *think* they can legally chase you up for it, but in practice they can't be bothered with the paperwork. I have a friend who lives and works in France, and has done for several years now. He pops back to visit once or twice a year, to tax and MOT his car in England. I asked him why, as it seemed a lot of hassle, why didn't he just register his car in France ? He says that he never worries about speeding or parking tickets, he just throws them in the bin, and has never heard anything back in the years he's been there.

I've also been 'flashed' in France and Spain, I never heard anything back.

Obviously, if a police officer catches you and issues an on-the-spot fine, there's no getting out of that one, but for automatic speed cameras I wouldn't worry.

I'll re-iterate, I'm NOT an expert, and I DON'T know the legal details - they probably can chase you legally, but they tend not to in practice.

MX5huggy

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

I've also been 'flashed' in France, I never heard anything back.

This is my experience also.

thenudeone

Have a look:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8360956/Foreign-drivers-will-escape-punishment-for-UK-offences.html
The headline is completely inaccurate. It's only offences normally dealt with by post that are affected.
Anyone stopped at the roadside in any country will feel the weight of that country's laws which might include on the spot fines or vehicle seizures.

I remember reading that France had signed a data sharing agreement with one of the small neighbouring countries to share driver data to enable cross-border prosecutions but I think it's unlikely in the Uk with its island mentality!

hartcjhart

legally yes they can chase you,you have commited an offence in an EU country,wether they do or not is another story,sometimes as here a camera may flash but no follow up
However if they do send you a fine you would be better of paying as there could be bigger trouble should they have reason to stop you aat another time

maxmycardagain

a neighbour got his french speeding ticket (and parking fine) sure enough....

btw, its a bad idea to speed in france, cops carry guns, fines can be on the spot and cash only....

Road_Hog

johnnyroper wrote: »

basically i was wondering if the french can persue me for the fine/s or is it a lost call for them?

Not yet, but it is probably only a matter of time before the UK signs up to the agreement, but you are okay this time. That's not to say that you're not on the French datatbase and could be 'pulled' next time you venture across.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/254386/