Speeding in Italy

[stig]

'ello chaps,

Way back in Feb. I was in Italy with some colleagues and we hired a car. There were two of us as named drivers and we took turns to drive.

Now, it would appear that a nice radar thing sent us a souveneir photo along with a load of Italian legalese, the basic premise of which seems to be that we were speeding (132km/h on what was either a dual carriageway or motorway - dunno which?)

Anyway, we're happy to pay the fine (fair cop and all that), but genuinely have no way of knowing who was driving at the time?

It doesn't help that neither of us speak a word of Italian

So, do we just pay the fine using the pre-paid envelope (and no licence) and wait and see, or are the feds gonna lock us up when we inevitably next have to go to Italia?

Cheers

[catso]

Personally I'd ignore it, having lived in Italy for many years I doubt they'll do anything. As a resident I had many parking tickets which I ignored they never followed them up, IMHO there's no way they'll pursue a foreigner other than send a demand for payment. However if your conscience is so guilty that you need to pay it, I doubt that they're interested in a licence just the money.

You're not gonna wake up with a Horses head in your bed.........

[fuoriserie]

Things have changed in the last two years, I've received an old fine dated 1999!!!!!!!!!!!!, they are catching up with everyone because the government needs the money .

Is it the same in the UK, if you get a speeding ticket ?

[blueyes]

fuoriserie said:

Things have changed in the last two years, I've received an old fine dated 1999!!!!!!!!!!!!, they are catching up with everyone because the government needs the money .

Is it the same in the UK, if you get a speeding ticket ?

That's incredible! I thought there was a time limit. How are you supposed to remember where you were 6 years ago? Are you sure it wasn't ME driving your car?

Over here, for an autovelox, they have 14 days to notify the registered owner of the car, after that they can't do anything.

[fuoriserie]

blueyes said:

fuoriserie said:

Things have changed in the last two years, I've received an old fine dated 1999!!!!!!!!!!!!, they are catching up with everyone because the government needs the money .

Is it the same in the UK, if you get a speeding ticket ?

That's incredible! I thought there was a time limit. How are you supposed to remember where you were 6 years ago? Are you sure it wasn't ME driving your car?

Over here, for an autovelox, they have 14 days to notify the registered owner of the car, after that they can't do anything.

And if it's a parking ticket, is it the same?

[blueyes]

fuoriserie said:

blueyes said:

fuoriserie said:

Things have changed in the last two years, I've received an old fine dated 1999!!!!!!!!!!!!, they are catching up with everyone because the government needs the money .

Is it the same in the UK, if you get a speeding ticket ?

That's incredible! I thought there was a time limit. How are you supposed to remember where you were 6 years ago? Are you sure it wasn't ME driving your car?

Over here, for an autovelox, they have 14 days to notify the registered owner of the car, after that they can't do anything.

And if it's a parking ticket, is it the same?

Works differently for a parking ticket. They stick a ticket on your car. You ignore it. They send you a reminder after 28 days. If you don't pay it within the next 2 weeks/month it goes up in price AND it goes to court where they charge you a bit more again. You can only get off on a technicality: signs were wrong/lines on road were broken etc.

[alisonholder]

We have just received a speeding fine from a trip we made in May. How do we know it is genuine? Can we contest it? We think it say we were doing 78 in a 70 area. Could it be a scam from someone in the car hire company?

Thanks for any help you cna give

[blueyes]

alisonholder said:

We have just received a speeding fine from a trip we made in May. How do we know it is genuine? Can we contest it? We think it say we were doing 78 in a 70 area. Could it be a scam from someone in the car hire company?

Thanks for any help you cna give

Who sent it?
Did it arrive recorded delivery?
Where did they say it happened?
What paperwork did they send you?
Any photos?
What are they asking for (money? licence? etc)?

More info please.

[vinniep]

I received one last year, it came via Hertz, I think it was asking for documents but I sent the money with someone else, paid at a post office and that was that. Nothing on my licence and no record, I have since been back three times and rented from Hertz with no problems.

I think I will be getting another one from Easter...gits!!!

[bobo]

guys....

rule number 1 in italy:- NEVER PAY THE FINE!

[fuoriserie]

bobo said:

guys....

rule number 1 in italy:- NEVER PAY THE FINE!

you can try once.....but sooner or later you get caught, and then you will be paying 3 times as much!

Local governments all over italy, are using speed cameras to increase revenue, at the expense of motorists.

Things are changing, and can't speed as much as I used to.......

Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 29th November 10:52

[Louis.]

I would pay the fine ASAP. From experience... I was caught speeding. Roughly 10 kph over the speed limit and got a fine of 120 euros through the post with a letter stating they had also photographic evidence if I was to request it. Silly me then forgot about the fine and then got another letter through the post 1 month later. Only this time the fine was 450 euros and 3 points on the licence !

[Olivero]

It depends what region you are in, what you were driving and if you know anyone. A hire car is always a soft target - sorry. Last time I got puled over I was over twice but knew the fuzz at the road block. Bit of a telling off then we talked about cars and food. There are no cameras where I am and 160 is quite ok on the motorway (althought managed 140 on the countryside drive back tonight). Sounds a bit of BS being photographed so little over the limit. I think they are trying it on, but without the right person to fight your corner it is a bit tricky. There is a reason I keep some ready cash in the car, not saying it is bribe money...but...

[Louis.]

Olivero said:

It depends what region you are in, what you were driving and if you know anyone. A hire car is always a soft target - sorry. Last time I got puled over I was over twice but knew the fuzz at the road block. Bit of a telling off then we talked about cars and food. There are no cameras where I am and 160 is quite ok on the motorway (althought managed 140 on the countryside drive back tonight). Sounds a bit of BS being photographed so little over the limit. I think they are trying it on, but without the right person to fight your corner it is a bit tricky. There is a reason I keep some ready cash in the car, not saying it is bribe money...but...

Olivero.. the stretch of road I am talking about has a few Autovelox cameras along it. I have never seen them however.. Sometimes I wonder about the speeding tickets over here.

[Olivero]

"a few Autovelox cameras" Arg, what a pain. Thankfully none round my way. Quite a few armed road blocks which I always find a bit unsettling but always manned my nice chaps. I know others have had problems, but only when they have behaved like a knob.

[scott smith]

Hi Anybody

I went to Italy at the beginning of October 2007 for a week and stayed in Montespertoli in Chianti. At the beginning of Jan 08 i have just recieved a letter from Avis my car rental company stating to me that they have recieved a traffic fine which refers to a violation of Italian Traffic Regulation occurred on the 6th October 2007 during my car rental. It then states that they are debiting me the amount of EUR 8.33 + vat for administrative expenses. It then states that if i want further information to contact the local Italian authorities in Montespertoli. The rest of the document is in Italian. Avis have also attached what i think is the actual document from the Montespertoli Polizia (which again is only in Italian)which was faxed to Avis. From what i can interpret back to english it states that they have photographic evidence from a AUOTVELOX that i was doing 65Km/h in a 50km/h area on the VIA VIRGINIO. The fine that is on the document is EURO 148.00 + 10.50 Totale: 158.50.
Could anybody please tell me if this is the basic cost of the fine or if additional costs have been added due to the time delay since Oct 07 in getting this document to me? Also i have been reading the comments from other people on this issue and i am unsure what to do. Do i pay or do i ignore? I am booked to go back to the same place in June this year so does anybody know if there will be any implications if i do not pay the fine?
Ps i have been told by Avis that i need to call Italy to deal with this issue. A prompt reply from anybody would be most appreciated.

Scott

[blueyes]

OK the fine is about right: 148 euro to 573 euro for between 10km and 40km over the limit.

I seem to recall that there is a reduced fee if you pay it within 60 days of the offence but I can't find the legislation.

As for paying it, well, I've never had one through the post so I don't know what would happen if you didn't pay.

Not a lot of help sorry.

[scott smith]

Cheers Blue Eyes...!!!!

Does anybody else please have any info that they can help me with on this issue; it would put my mind at ease???

Cheers

[fuoriserie]

scott smith said:

Cheers Blue Eyes...!!!!

Does anybody else please have any info that they can help me with on this issue; it would put my mind at ease???

Cheers

Hi Scott,

You would be better of if you paid the fine..........believe me things have changed, from what they used to be only a few years ago....

They can double the amount of the fine after 60 days, if you avoid paying ....

Ciao
Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 15th January 21:08

[Louis.]

fuoriserie said:

scott smith said:

Cheers Blue Eyes...!!!!

Does anybody else please have any info that they can help me with on this issue; it would put my mind at ease???

Cheers

Hi Scott,

You would be better of if you paid the fine..........believe me things have changed, from what they used to be only a few years ago....

They can double the amount of the fine after 60 days, if you avoid paying ....

Ciao
Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 15th January 21:08

As I found out in my case ! Take Italo's advice..