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and why not Barney ? The German Police weren't to know that a visitor was driving the German registered car that was pinged. They would fine their own people the same amount or are "Englanders" exempt in some way from being punished ?
Edited by Pugugly on 30/08/2009 at 23:26
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It amazes me that the German authorities can track down and fine someone in this country for motoring offences, yet the authorities here can't be bothered to do the same with all the foreign plated vehicles flouting the law here. They turn a blind eye, with an excuse that they can't trace them.
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It was a German registered hire car.
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Thanks to all who have replied. Opened a can of worms here...!
Part of me says just pay the bill, part of me says screw them..lol.
The letter is just asking for confirmation that it was indeed me at the wheel and who my passanger was, there is no indication of amount of fine or any bank giro payment slip enclosed. They just want confirmation within 1 week. Presumably so they can prepare the fine amount.
My gripe is that it is entirely in German and they know I am English. They assume that I am fluent in German. As stated, I can read and speak a bit of German but if you got a 4 page letter in Chinese what would you do with it?? exactly......you would chuck it in the bin.
My brother has had a few in Holland and Finland when on business....he says he routinely chucks them away and nothing ever happens.
Thanks again for your input...oh and by the way, I am not trying to blame anyone. It was entirely my fault... I am just trying to weigh up whether its prudent to cough up or just ignore and take a chance.
Thanks
Dave
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Had you been driving your own UK registered car in Germany and got caught for speeding then I think you could just have told them to get lost, or, more likely, just done nothing.
However, I'm afraid the complication here is the fact that you were driving a German-registered hire car. I believe the hire company will probably pay the fine and then pursue you for the money, unfortunately.
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I think its frankly outrageous that you have any expectation that they should send out a letter in anything other than German.
If someone from another country visits the UK, hires a car here and then gets a speeding fine, should our authorities really be expected to first identify the language they speak, then also be expected to carry a copy of the said speeding letter in every langauge on the planet?
Its just good manners to have a basic grasp of the language of countires one visits and if you dont, you find someoen who speaks German and have them translate it. Of course had you simply driven in the correct manner, you wouldnt be on here aksing, so you are the source of the problem, not some German conspiracy.
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How the letter was delivered? Normal or registered post? If normal post, you can simply say (in future if situation arises) that you didn't receive it.
105 km/h = 60 mph. The road sign was for 60 km/h. Did you, by any chance, think that you're driving at 60 mph and thus within limit? (yes I did read that you deliberately thought 90 km/h was good speed)
BTW, what ever you do, please remember to update this thread here about the consequences. That will warn others what to do in similar cases.
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How the letter was delivered? Normal or registered post? If normal post you can simply say (in future if situation arises) that you didn't receive it.
You can claim what you like - it wont matter. You can take whatever action you like, it still wont matter.
The simple facts are this. You signed a rental agreement with hertz on a valid card. The agreement states you will pay all police fines. The rental agreement further states they will take this from the card that was valid at the time of the rental if you dont pay it direct to the authorities.
You can wiggle and squirm but your card supplier *will* be paying this fine if you dont. and you will be paying your card supplier. If you dont they will pursue you through the courts as a debt.
It really is that simple, you have no get out. You will be paying.
Edited by Altea Ego on 31/08/2009 at 13:05
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Well I tried to inject a bit of humour into this, but it obviously offended some people,
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Thanks again for everyones input on this. Looks like I'm goning to have to cough for this.lol
Never mind....you can't blame me for trying!
I will phone Hertz up and see what they say and then let it take its course.
Will keep you informed of the outcome. The information may be of use to anyone else driving in Germany or any other country for that matter.
Be aware...........
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Be aware...........
yeah, don't speed at 50% over the limit. you have said you were aware of the 60kph limit and yet you chose to do 90kph. it's your fault, take the hit and count yourself lucky you're probably not going to get points.
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ok..ok...don't shout at me.
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sorry, i'm not shouting, i'm stating the obvious. i'm frustrated by sometimes stupid speed limits but as my licence is my work and income i have to guard it carefully. you may well have been perfectly safe in the situation but the law, however stupid, needs to be obeyed. keep us informed.
alf
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Well I tried to inject a bit of humour
Always a good idea to flag humour with a :-) to prevent misinterpretation, which is easy online.
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>> Well I tried to inject a bit of humour Always a good idea to flag humour with a :-) to prevent misinterpretation which is easy online.
Or make it funny ;>)
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Part of me says just pay the bill, part of me says screw them.
What a pathetic story - trying to wriggle out of admitted responsibilities, for no better reason than that you were caught by the 'ref.' and others weren't. Not fair, Germans chasing Brits for fines. Take it on the chin - you were pushing your luck doing 90 in a 60, end of story. No mitigating circs I can think of.
As for trying to dodge by cancelling the credit card ... be an adult. Things can be different on the continent, but that doesn't make them unfair.
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Just in case anyone is wondering about my post which was removed, it was a reference to this,
tinyurl.com/ncnezy
which is the part 3 of 3.
A bit tenuous I know, but if you are not allowed to laugh at this, I think we have a problem.
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Just in case anyone is wondering about my post which was removed it was a reference to this
Mr. Tee. I've lived in Germany permanently for 10 years. You'd be surprised how many locals, when discovering my nationality, say to me "Don't mention zee war" and then fall about laughing. That Basil Fawlty sketch has been doing the rounds here for at least 30 years.
Rather embarassingly a lot of the local pensioners in the neighbourhood have offered me illegal copies of that particular episode downloaded from piratebay among other places. Goes to show:
1. Don't underestimate the sense of humour of Germans.
2. Don't underestimate the internet capabilities of the over 60s.
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It was removed to avoid topic creep - that's all.
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It would help if the OP identified the name and address on the letterhead ( in German)
asking for the details of "the driver and passenger" in the photo, together with the form reference (to identify if this is a NIP equivalent).
People like Bagpuss and myself might identify a spoof.
Personally, I have not seen a request for driver AND passenger details, as the OP indicates.
The steering wheel is normally clear enough on the pic.
The only reason to ask for the passenger details is to further incriminate the driver.
It was only a few years ago that some drivers wore gorilla masks and the like so that they could not be convicted of speeding on the basis of a photo.
Sadly, those humorous times are now relegated to the past.
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Personally I have not seen a request for driver AND passenger details as the OP indicates.
You are right, all the ones I've had from the German police have only asked for identification of the driver. Astonishingly good quality photos though.
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