2 x speeding fines in Australia

*pinkchick* · 30 March 2016 at 12:15PM

I was advised to post this query on this forum. I hope someone may have some experience here and can help.

I recently visited my friend who now lives in Australia. We drove the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and my friend, who was the lead driver, received 2 'infringements' through the rental company. They have charged us $80 admin fee and have passed my friend's details on to the enforcers.

Turns out I was driving at this time, and I live in the UK. From a quick Google I think the fines may be quite heavy, although we don't have the amounts yet.

My questions are - if my friend tells them I was driving and I accept this fault, will they send me the fine? If so, what would potentially happen if I then ignored said fine?! Would they chase me? Ban me from the country? Or could they then turn back to my friend who's a permanent resident of Victoria, and charge her CC?

Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences shared!

Quentin · 30 March 2016 at 12:18PM

This parking charge forum isn't the best place to post this.

Try Pepipoo, (though they may not have any Australian experts to help)

*pinkchick* · 30 March 2016 at 12:20PM

Quentin wrote: »

This parking charge forum isn't the best place to post this.

Try Pepipoo, (though they may not have any Australian experts to help)

Oops, sorry, I didn't read it properly, thought it just said fines! Thanks

taconite2 · 30 March 2016 at 2:57PM

*pinkchick* wrote: »

I was advised to post this query on this forum. I hope someone may have some experience here and can help.

I recently visited my friend who now lives in Australia. We drove the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and my friend, who was the lead driver, received 2 'infringements' through the rental company. They have charged us $80 admin fee and have passed my friend's details on to the enforcers.

Turns out I was driving at this time, and I live in the UK. From a quick Google I think the fines may be quite heavy, although we don't have the amounts yet.

My questions are - if my friend tells them I was driving and I accept this fault, will they send me the fine? If so, what would potentially happen if I then ignored said fine?! Would they chase me? Ban me from the country? Or could they then turn back to my friend who's a permanent resident of Victoria, and charge her CC?

Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences shared!

I had an ex from Australia who moved to the UK....so I can't only comment that way around...She was caught over there and moved here. They never got in touch. And insurance companies here weren't interested as her UK licence was clean.

Given Australia's legal system is slightly connected to ours they could potentially chase you in the UK if they have your details. Would it be worth it? Probably not as it would have to go through an Australian Supreme court to get a international judgement here in England/Wales. I think the fee for that is around £300 excluding solicitor fees. Will they pay that on a chance they might never catch you?

Works differently within the EU (that you can chase - well for now pending EU elections etc could change), and there's an aim for commonwealth countries to join a legal system which would make international claims possible. But nothing yet.

They wouldn't ban you from Oz, but if you ever decided to live there within 6 years or so they may still find you if you applied for something official like a licence etc.

They won't touch your friend. She wasn't driving. Not her problem.

Drive slowly over there, the fines are big to force people to slow down. Also in the outback Kangeroos have a habit of running out....

*pinkchick* · 30 March 2016 at 3:42PM

taconite2 wrote: »

I had an ex from Australia who moved to the UK....so I can't only comment that way around...She was caught over there and moved here. They never got in touch. And insurance companies here weren't interested as her UK licence was clean.

Given Australia's legal system is slightly connected to ours they could potentially chase you in the UK if they have your details. Would it be worth it? Probably not as it would have to go through an Australian Supreme court to get a international judgement here in England/Wales. I think the fee for that is around £300 excluding solicitor fees. Will they pay that on a chance they might never catch you?

Works differently within the EU (that you can chase - well for now pending EU elections etc could change), and there's an aim for commonwealth countries to join a legal system which would make international claims possible. But nothing yet.

They wouldn't ban you from Oz, but if you ever decided to live there within 6 years or so they may still find you if you applied for something official like a licence etc.

They won't touch your friend. She wasn't driving. Not her problem.

Drive slowly over there, the fines are big to force people to slow down. Also in the outback Kangeroos have a habit of running out....

Thank you for your very helpful reply. That settles my mind a bit. I was careful in driving slowly the whole time, I can only assume I crept over by a few km as I was on the Great Ocean Road and driving can become monotonous! My biggest fear the whole time was a kangaroo jumping out!

taconite2 · 30 March 2016 at 4:20PM

*pinkchick* wrote: »

Thank you for your very helpful reply. That settles my mind a bit. I was careful in driving slowly the whole time, I can only assume I crept over by a few km as I was on the Great Ocean Road and driving can become monotonous! My biggest fear the whole time was a kangaroo jumping out!

Yeah I was so close to hitting one driving to Kalgoorlie, big red one. Would have wrecked the car completely

AltheHibby · 30 March 2016 at 6:18PM

Pinkchick,

My son was done for 2kph over the limit, so they do go for you at speeds the UK police would ignore.

They also hide the cameras and send fines weeks later, which he reckons makes no difference to road safety as they are seen as revenue raisers and not safety cameras.