Speed traps in Belgium

[SimonS4MTM]

Sorry about the double post!

I got two letters at the weekend from the Belgian police, caught by two radar guns 20 min apart, one was 197kph the other about 175kph. I have had them translated and there is no fine and I do not have to produce any documents

If you want any proof of how fast your car can go, drive in Belgium [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

[Drill]

Or come to Germany where there are nice, long strips of Autobahn with No Limit whatsoever (Except of course the recommended 130kph limit [img]images/graemlins/rocketwhore.gif[/img] )

[img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

So if there is no fine or request for document production I wonder what was the point of going to the trouble of sending letters to you. Was there a warning that future violations of Belgian traffic regulations wouldn't go unpunished? [img]images/graemlins/director.gif[/img]

I was caught in Belgium doing 200kph. Cst me 15,000 Belgian francs (£320) [img]images/graemlins/cry.gif[/img] so I'd be careful if you're planning on caning it in this particular country. [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

I read in the latest IAM mag that the Italians are going to increase their motorway speed limit from 130 to 150kph.

Apparently this is to ease congestion, and is as a result of some survey that shows people that consistently drive at a higher speed are less likely to have an accidenet, as they have greater awareness.
I wonder if plod would accept this argument [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/ban.gif[/img]

Mind you, it could possibly start a precedent for the rest of Europe to follow [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]

[SimonS4MTM]

Oh dear!!!

I have had a more relable translation made. Apparantly the forms say at the top, "Very serious offence".

It says at the bottom that they are starting prosecution proceedings.

I think that there is going to be a big fine for both offences (176kph and 193kph) I better start saving my pennies [img]images/graemlins/suicide.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/suicide.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/suicide.gif[/img]

[PhilT]

Why not refuse it on the basis that it is not in English and therefore discriminates you. Just a thought....

[Joshie]

Very serious offence - [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img] wonder how they describe murder [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

Not sure that there is any agreement in place which allows authorities in continental Europe to bring prosecutions through a reciprocal arrnagement with the Uk authorities whereby the UK Police would bring the prosecution although I read in the Sunday Times last month that this is being agreed at the moment.

If not, then I can't see how the Belgians could possible prosecute. I mean, what are they going to do, start extradition proceeedings

[img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

No mate - can't see it as an issue - unless the legislation is in place, which, given the EU's record of mindblowing bureaucracy will probably take forever.

[JohnW]

Ah,

but all passports from around 1988 have bar codes on them, so if you go back to belgium via ferry (i.e. do not drive up from France) they will know that you have fines owing if/when they scan your passport.

I too heard about the business whereby traffic offences could be brought in your country of residence, but not sure if this is in place yet.

btw, you may also find that if you fail to pay any fine they impose on time that it goes up, and by a lot (like double !)

[img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

I guess you will have to see what else you get through the post, eh [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[JohnH]

Had a speeding fine from Netherlands and was warned that if I didnt pay then they could pick it up from passport details if I went back. Paid it but a real pain as they dont take credit cards so had to arrange for a bank transfer in Euros!!

[Joshie]

Well I would say that if ever you needed an excuse NOT to go to Belgium then this is it. [img]images/graemlins/<beep>_you.gif[/img]

Actually I have two valid UK passoports as I travel internationally every month. Maybe it's time to get that second one [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[golfttish]

ignore it, and if you're ever stopped in the same car again say you don't speak flemish (who the hell does).
If you change your car by the next time you go back just deny any knowledge of the offence. There is no way they can cross reference your car reg to your passport, unless you have the most unique of names.

[SimonS4MTM]

I would like to ignore it, it just the fact that they have my address and i dont yet know if they can chase me through the UK police

[Joshie]

Look mate, got to put this in perspective. You broke the fecking speed limit, not robbed a bank. Do nothing and see what happens. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Reno]

LOL, I'm not the only one who hates the belgian system concerning speeding [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I don't think you should worry that much, normally foreign 'speeders' are stopped by the police and have to pay immediately...you probably were too fast for that [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I would just wait and do nothing, and see what the belgian or your goverment does.

BTW if you like you can always mail me your fine [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] no serious, i can translate it if you like, and i know a little bit of belgian law, at least i should know....

Greetz [img]images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

Oh yes, next time watch you speedometer (is that the right word?) because fines have been multiplied by four, which would make your fine around 2500€ Madness or what???

[ChrisG]

DVLA are playing ball, or the police wouldn't have had your address