 Poster: A snowHead
|
So, recent lads trip to Les Arcs, our suspicion that the strange 'flash' we experienced whilst driving on the m-way through Albertville (beware the 90km/h zone!) might possibly be telling us we'd been caught by a speed camera has been proved right - The rental car company have sent through the fine today...
A bit of googling and babelfishing (it all being in French of course) and I managed to get the gist of what i was being asked to do. Avis nicely sent me a photocopy of the fine - the online payment details are apparently on the back - and of course they only copied the front (!) - so a bit more googling and I uncovered the online payment details. It appears you get a reduced rate (from 135Euro to 90Euro ) if you pay within 15 days and due to the delay getting the paperwork from the authorities, to Avis and to me, 15 days is up tomorrow - so I decided I'd get it paid straightaway and save the 45Euro rather than fret any longer about it (plus of course Avis have charged me £20 administration)
Now, according to some reports on t'internet, some choose to not pay on the assumption the authorities won't bother chasing johnny foreigner .... I figured avis 'know where i live' and there would be no hiding place...
Anyhoo, I wondered what anyone else has done with these?
(oh, and we were also travelling in two cars, and pretty sure both got flashed so I can't wait for the excitement of what tomorrows post will bring! Of course, the 15 days is up tomorrow so if a second fine arrives, that one'll have to be full price  )
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Got done in Italy. Easy to avoid paying if in your own car as they won't pursue you. If in a hire car, they will pay it, then charge you the full whack plus more admin charges (they will probably just take it from your credit card - small print on contract allows them to do this). I had to pay £200 - flashed entering restricted zone, and 2 hrs later again on exit - robbing Fitzwilliams!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
did you know that if you type in a swear word it gets replaced with 'Fitzwilliams!!'
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
damobloke1, i think you find it will change various words.... wee wee, for instance 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| damobloke1 wrote: |
| did you know that if you type in a swear word it gets replaced with 'Fitzwilliams!!' |
That is one specific swear word. Various others are automatically replaced by different euphemisms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I got flashed in the Mont Blanc Tunnel late at night year before last on the way to Cormayeur.... Gendarme stopped me on the other side of the tunnel at the italian border, took me into the office, made me wait 20 minutes while he finished a delicious looking pizza (I was starving and dying to get to the resort but I'm sure he didn't notice the large pool of saliva in front on my chair!). He then painstakingly showed me how he worked out my on the spot fine, took 45 euros off me and let me get on my way..... When we got to the hotel the restaurant was closed.... but the bar was open.... so had a late skin full and went to bed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I got flashed last year outside Aintree racecourse by a very drunken group of girls who were prepared to do anything for a 'free lift' into Liverpool City centre.............. ooooops......sorry wrong thread ! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Axsman, the geezer who stopped me was almost over friendly as he raided my wallet!
kiwi1, you live and learn eh!
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
Richie_S, yes it's a bugger when the barstard does that. It annoys the crap out of me. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
Don't take this as gospel but my understanding is that CH and France do not have any reciprocal arrangements so they can't impose speeding fines on each other's vehicles. Germany and CH on the other hand do, so I'm told
|
My expirience kind of backs this up. I got flashed last year and again this year on the way to Meribel, in a swiss hire car. Thankfully I haven't heard anything on either flashing incident. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Axsman, Damn, I would have used that one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Richie_S, Not directly related but i got flashed in California once and never bothered paying the bill on the basis that they wouldnt chase Johnny Foreigner.. Years later my business partner and I were picking up a hire car at the airport in San Fran and they wouldnt give me a car as there "was a problem" being tired after a long flight i pushed hard for another car but she said it wouldnt be a good idea to complete the paperwork as i had a warrant out for my arrest.... my partner always drove in California from then on 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| skimottaret wrote: |
| Richie_S, Not directly related but i got flashed in California once and never bothered paying the bill on the basis that they wouldnt chase Johnny Foreigner.. Years later my business partner and I were picking up a hire car at the airport in San Fran and they wouldnt give me a car as there "was a problem" being tired after a long flight i pushed hard for another car but she said it wouldnt be a good idea to complete the paperwork as i had a warrant out for my arrest.... my partner always drove in California from then on |
that one is easily fixed.. well in new york state it is.
first thing to do is not ignore the ticket. phone them up and say you have sent funds and have they received them.
then wait 3 weeks phone again complain.
ticket gets struck off
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Quote: |
Got Radared last month, in Brit pick up, by French Gendarmes - just got cheery slow down a bit wave
|
Sure it wasn't a stop here wave. Thinking about it must have been friendly as they soon send out the motorbikes.
Stopped after radar traps twice - 90€ on the spot fine. Only ever happens to me in France, when they set up traps at sites where the speed limits reduce drastically - for a bit of fund raising; namely end of a long downhill section in the A40 and the start of the viaduct towards Chamonix. Second one galling as I don't usually speed there, but had just had to pass a lorry.
Attitudes to speed are definitely changing in France, mine too so trying to stay within the limits in future. Saves money too 
P.S. I think governments are planning to increase co-operation over speeding and points on licence so more incentives to drive carefully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| beequin wrote: |
| Quote: |
Got Radared last month, in Brit pick up, by French Gendarmes - just got cheery slow down a bit wave
|
Sure it wasn't a stop here wave. Thinking about it must have been friendly as they soon send out the motorbikes.
Stopped after radar traps twice - 90€ on the spot fine. Only ever happens to me in France, when they set up traps at sites where the speed limits reduce drastically - for a bit of fund raising; namely end of a long downhill section in the A40 and the start of the viaduct towards Chamonix. Second one galling as I don't usually speed there, but had just had to pass a lorry.
Attitudes to speed are definitely changing in France, mine too so trying to stay within the limits in future. Saves money too
P.S. I think governments are planning to increase co-operation over speeding and points on licence so more incentives to drive carefully. |
driving slow and driving carefully are not the same thing.
under 40mph i'm an accident waiting to happen.. i day dream.
going a "bit" faster and it's total concentration..
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
driving slow and driving carefully are not the same thing.
under 40mph i'm an accident waiting to happen.. i day dream.
going a "bit" faster and it's total concentration..
|
I also have a bank of excuses for my speeding - but I have to say that new TV add 'kill your speed or live with it' with the crumpled little lad is very effective and gives me much pause for thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| beequin wrote: |
| ......P.S. I think governments are planning to increase co-operation over speeding and points on licence so more incentives to drive carefully. |
I hope so. I really cannot understand all the angst about whether to pay an overseas fine. If you are caught speeding, cough up the fine. Keep life simple.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
achilles, my sentiments too. Life's too short (probably on average slightly shorter for those of use who speed).
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
achilles, Agree - although I note that some of the comments were from bikers - Darwins theory of natural selection in evidence, I believe
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I got done on two separate road trips last year... both were well earned....... 1st 186kmh.......... €90 welll spent in my book, the 2nd they tried to do a whole group of us (alledging we were in convoy) the 1st car paid up the others argued and were sent on theri way....................
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Guvnor wrote: |
| achilles, Agree - although I note that some of the comments were from bikers - Darwins theory of natural selection in evidence, I believe |
Natural selection.... hmm a quick recount far outweighs the comments of car drivers from myself and midgetbiker
Its also worth considering this - bikers form around 1% of the total traffic on UK roads, yet accidents involving motorcycles are increasingly the fault of car drivers (in some cases upto 50%) whom are not paying attention, whilst on the phone, smoking, eating, drinking, tuning the radio, talking, fiddling with various buttons and generally not paying attention to whats going on outside their metal cocoon. Meanwhile, your "natural selection" biker, sits higher, has a better view of the road and hazards that are incoming, can react quicker, doesnt have things to play with to idle away the time and is constantly thinking - what is that bloke/woman in the car going to do now.
Additionally, if you wish to stereotype bikers with a "natural selection" tag perhaps you should first of all think about your driving - if you drive everwhere at the speed limit, consistenly apply roadcraft to every journey and have never done anything to distract you from the task in hand - ie being in "control" of a solid lump of metal capable of killing whomever it collides with then fair enough stereo type away - however if you havent - then you are "guilty" of driving without due care and attention and are just as bad as the drivers whom year on year kill pedestrains, cyclists, bikers and other road users, citing "i didnt see them" 
For the record, i ride as the road conditions dictate, lots of cars, built up areas, unknown roads = lower speed, less cars, open roads, known areas = more speed. If i want to go fast and get my knee down then i fork out for a track day, where there are run offs into gravel traps and grass as opposed to solid objects that will see me off to ski the powder clouds and leave mrs matricks and little matricks alone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| matricks wrote: |
| Got flashed in France last year en route to Calais, but I was on my bike and it was a forwards facing camera, so i waved at the next one |
Yeah, you rock
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
matricks, You say in one post how responsible you are as a rider - riding as the conditions dictate, knowing the road and going on track days to get your knee down etc.....very admirable, I salute you
And yet get flashed twice whilst in France, once whilst riding one handed as you wave at the camera, knowing that your number plate is not going to be identified.....in contradiction to your previous statement
So, you are either a hypocrite or a liar. Which is it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
I think there's big oohah(spelling?) in France right now about fixed cameras: it urns out that it is the same company that sells them, maintains them.....end declares them "apt" for service....Massive conflict of interest obviously and many lawyers have started to get on that line to invalidate fines...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Guvnor wrote: |
matricks, You say in one post how responsible you are as a rider - riding as the conditions dictate, knowing the road and going on track days to get your knee down etc.....very admirable, I salute you
And yet get flashed twice whilst in France, once whilst riding one handed as you wave at the camera, knowing that your number plate is not going to be identified.....in contradiction to your previous statement
So, you are either a hypocrite or a liar. Which is it? |
Why would he be either?
Unless you are one of these people who beleive that failing to constantly abide by an arbitrary number makes you automatically irresponsible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
alex_heney, Post 1. Highlights how responsible an individual matricks is (or at least claims to be), whereas post 2. Suggests that despite claiming to be responsible, actually speeds on unfamiliar foreign roads one handed whislt gesticulating at speed cameras with a casual disregard for the law. So, he is either 1. a hypocrite for not practising what he preaches, or 2. A liar, who either does not ride responsibly as he states, or did not actually speed one handed past a speed camera.
I am willing to accept that my understanding as to the term hypocrite nor liar may not be to the full legal descriptive, but the above, in a nutshell, is the basis for my post.
Other understandings or interpretations may also stand true.
Failing to constantly abide by an arbitrary number makes you automatically irresponsible? Not necessarily, but do I believe that speeding is a major factor in fatal accidents involving bikers? Yes. Based on what facts? Probably none, it's just what I believe. Do I personally abide by the speed limits? Not all the time, but 21 years with a clean licence would suggest some degree of prudence about when and where I may choose to break the limit.
Anything else? I'm off home soon.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
namely end of a long downhill section in the A40 and the start of the viaduct towards Chamonix
|
beequin, that's the one I'm waiting with baited breath about
I reckon there might be something in the earlier post re Swiss/French speeding co-op as I seem to have got away with it too many times. (touching wood)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
midgetbiker, that's BATED!! Unless you have in fact eaten a load of cheese and are now hanging around beside a mousetrap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lizzard, you live and learn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
