Got an unwanted souvenir from Florida.

cpu

*Posted on this board as the good people who frequent this board might have had experience of this.*


Second last day of the holiday. No traffic on the road apart from one distant car. Slowed to a crawl at STOP sign before turning the corner, but didn't completely stop....and the distant car turned out to be a Police car.

He pulled me over and told me I should have come to 'a full and complete stop' and then promptly fined me $116.50. I was really apologetic and said I had just crawled round the corner as the road was empty and in hindsight I had made an error in judgement and I now realised I should still have stopped but he was having none of it.

No online facility to pay the fine, phone payment is for US citizens only, they wont take a UK cheque and told me to send dollars through the post.

Not happy about that but seems I got no choice. Anyone else had this happen to them? Best way to send dollars? Seems open to abuse or loss at the very least.

Then to round it off, just checked my cc account and Dollar have charged me an extra £43 and I've no idea what for! Rental company is looking into it but they say even if you are registered as arriving a few minutes late back with the car, you can be charged a day's rent. (I wasn't late as far as I know )

divadee

you should really send the dollars international signed for service with royal mail. that covers you up to £100 cash if you take the extra insurance.

It costs £3.50 on top of the normal airmail cost.

cpu

Bit late I know, but thank you. (Been away working again.)
I sent them as you advised and they got there safely. Just got the receipt today, which reminded me about this post.

Sam_Bee

I got done for driving without a license in Louisiana. Which sounds serious, but i'd just left my license in my room, and you don't get 21 days grace there to turn up at a police station with your license, you are automatically 'driving without a license'. Even with a court appearance (I tried to defend myself against it) I only got a $75 fine.

I did get pulled for speeding several times (faulty cruise control!) but everytime I waived my paper license at them, they got scared and waved me on. Our new licenses they understand much better. However, was good you paid it just to ensure that you didn't have any problems on re-entry, which I gather can happen.

fatnbald

Rental cars in the states are a nightmare for all those little hidden extras that crank up the price, I usually work on double the initial daily rate to cover all the insurances and damage waiver add in's - in addition I usually have to pay an extra 25 - 30 USD a day just for my daily trip 5 miles into Mexico to work!!

As far as the "Stop" sign issue I think the rule is you have to be stationary for 2 seconds at a Stop junction.

Anyone come across the 4 way stop junctions they have in some states? How confusing are they ?