Speeding fine sent to England?

Kotek Besar · 14-05-2009 6:17pm #1

A friend of mine from the UK was over recently, and hired a car. He got caught speeding by a guard with a hand-held gun. He showed the guard his licence (UK), and the guard informed him that he'd receive an 80 euro fine in the post.

Well, he just rang me and said he's got the fine. It is indeed 80 euro. Does he have to pay it? I mean, if he doesn't, what'll happen?

Random · 14-05-2009 6:18pm

He has to pay it. Will he be chased for it? Probably not.

Lucky git didn't get 2 points

Kotek Besar · 14-05-2009 6:42pm

Playing devil's advocate here, but what if he doesn't pay, comes back to Ireland one day and gets caught speeding again, and they check his licence and find he's an outstanding fine? Jail?

mantaraver · 14-05-2009 8:30pm

I pity my Canadian uncle if he ever comes back here. He has had a few speeding fines in the last few years.:) He hasn't been in Ireland since the 90's !!:eek::eek:

John Mason · 14-05-2009 9:02pm

lol my english housemate got caught by this. she had an english regg'ed car and used to park wherever she felt like.

two years worth of fines landed on her mothers doorstep

she had to set up a payment plan to pay it off

Fishtits · 14-05-2009 9:51pm

I'd guess the logical extension of his situation is that if he doesn't pay the fine he'll be summoned to appear in court.

Not sure of the logistics of serving a summons in the UK.

Hypothetical situation:

I'd ignore it if it were me (not offering advice)

"Never got the fine letter - prove it" should I be quizzed in future...

If the summons was served, I'd pay the fine.

Victor · 14-05-2009 9:55pm

What will the car hire guys do to his credit card?

Scottie99 · 15-05-2009 1:59am

Don't pay it! My father from Scotland was caught and fined here........he contacted the police and said he wouldn't be paying. They effectively tore the ticket up. The difference in this case is that he was driving a hire car and they might go through the car hire firm for the money......then their visa.

VanhireBoys · 15-05-2009 6:10am

Pay up Id say... ! Its not worth the hassle if hes caught again over here....Brian Lenihan is mad for cash at the minute and his revenue collectors are out in force .

The Garda still are unable to put points on UK/Foreign licences as the Police in the UK are unable to put points on an Irish Licence. This loophole will close sometime soon I predict

15-05-2009 8:11am

VanhireBoys wrote: »

The Garda still are unable to put points on UK/Foreign licences ..... This loophole will close sometime soon I predict

Hopefully it wont though!!:)

Kotek Besar · 15-05-2009 8:43am

Thanks for all the replies lads.

Ok, this is possibly for another thread, but..

Speaking to my friend, he said that, in England, there are all these websites and forums which claim that those speed "guns" that Police in England use are easy to get out of, since there is no proof that the speed as stated on the gun is related to the accused car, if you see what I mean. Like, it could be the speed of another speeding car.

Um, does that wash here?

Kotek Besar · 18-05-2009 3:40pm

benifa wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies lads.

Ok, this is possibly for another thread, but..

Speaking to my friend, he said that, in England, there are all these websites and forums which claim that those speed "guns" that Police in England use are easy to get out of, since there is no proof that the speed as stated on the gun is related to the accused car, if you see what I mean. Like, it could be the speed of another speeding car.

Um, does that wash here?

Anyone?

renraw · 30-05-2009 2:30pm

I have an english licence and was done for speeding a while ago. I spoke to a garda friend of mine and told me to pay the fine and that would be the end of it. I did and that was the end of it, they couldn't (but now i think they can) endorse a foreign licence. Some agreement was due to come in to place for all EU countries to work of a central database for motoring offences. For the sake of the fine (prob 120e if not paid within 28 days), it is definiterly not worth it.

If he doesn't pay the fine and comes back to Ireland for a holiday and is stopped at randomn at a check point and they check his licence. No doubt, there will be an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest if the fine isn't paid. Thats where it gets messy. I checked it all out because i was worried that at the time I'd get the 2 penalty points. Pay the fine

Kotek Besar · 30-05-2009 2:43pm

Thanks renraw,

Just to update:

My friend paid the fine on the 27th day, so it was €80 and not €120. Phew.

Seth Brundle · 30-05-2009 10:27pm

VanhireBoys wrote: »

The Garda still are unable to put points on UK/Foreign licences as the Police in the UK are unable to put points on an Irish Licence. This loophole will close sometime soon I predict

Neither side want to give the other side control over their databases and AFAIK there has been a form of standoff for a while. Don't expect it to happen for a few years just yet!
Sure even NI drivers don't get GB points and vice cersa!

benifa wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies lads.

Ok, this is possibly for another thread, but..

Speaking to my friend, he said that, in England, there are all these websites and forums which claim that those speed "guns" that Police in England use are easy to get out of, since there is no proof that the speed as stated on the gun is related to the accused car, if you see what I mean. Like, it could be the speed of another speeding car.

Um, does that wash here?

Laws in England are not the same as here. (Not wanting this to sound anti-garda as its the law rather than the gardai but anyhow,) the gardai don't have to show you what speed you were driving at nor do they need to give you a record of the speed. If they say you were speeding, then you were speeding!

renraw wrote: »

I have an english licence and was done for speeding a while ago. I spoke to a garda friend of mine and told me to pay the fine and that would be the end of it. I did and that was the end of it, they couldn't (but now i think they can) endorse a foreign licence. Some agreement was due to come in to place for all EU countries to work of a central database for motoring offences. For the sake of the fine (prob 120e if not paid within 28 days), it is definiterly not worth it.

If he doesn't pay the fine and comes back to Ireland for a holiday and is stopped at randomn at a check point and they check his licence. No doubt, there will be an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest if the fine isn't paid. Thats where it gets messy. I checked it all out because i was worried that at the time I'd get the 2 penalty points. Pay the fine

Penalty points from speeding does not result in an endorsement!

Kotek Besar · 30-05-2009 11:39pm

Lot's of useful info, thanks kbannon!

Just one thing though..

kbannon wrote: »

Penalty points from speeding does not result in an endorsement!

Call me stupid, but I thought penalty points are endorsements..?

Seth Brundle · 31-05-2009 8:21am

From what I gather, they are not so; you're stupid!

Berty · 31-05-2009 8:50am

kbannon wrote: »

you're stupid!

Personally offensive remark. Somebody call a modera................ah damn :mad:

TheNog · 31-05-2009 10:35am

benifa wrote: »

A friend of mine from the UK was over recently, and hired a car. He got caught speeding by a guard with a hand-held gun. He showed the guard his licence (UK), and the guard informed him that he'd receive an 80 euro fine in the post.

Well, he just rang me and said he's got the fine. It is indeed 80 euro. Does he have to pay it? I mean, if he doesn't, what'll happen?

This is a common question so here is what can and will happen to a foreign driver who does not pay up:

- fine is issued to the drivers address
- fine is not paid so a summons is issued
- the driver doesnt show for court and is convicted in their absence
- letter from courts service sent to driver informing them of conviction and fine
- driver doesnt pay the fine so the judge issues a penal warrant
- driver comes back to the Rep and is stopped. Checks show a penal warrant is existance
- driver is arrested and either pays the fine and released or brought to a prison for the amount of days stated on the warrant

benifa wrote: »

Ok, this is possibly for another thread, but..

Speaking to my friend, he said that, in England, there are all these websites and forums which claim that those speed "guns" that Police in England use are easy to get out of, since there is no proof that the speed as stated on the gun is related to the accused car, if you see what I mean. Like, it could be the speed of another speeding car.

Um, does that wash here?

Not in this country it doesnt

bauderline · 31-05-2009 11:16am

... remember this one a few years back. I am sure they have addressed the issue since.....

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154878694.html

Kotek Besar · 31-05-2009 11:57am

bauderline wrote: »

... remember this one a few years back. I am sure they have addressed the issue since.....

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154878694.html

Interesting stuff! Original link here, btw.

kbannon wrote: »

the gardai don't have to show you what speed you were driving at nor do they need to give you a record of the speed. If they say you were speeding, then you were speeding!

Does this not sound wrong though? These speed guns that they use - there's no actual incriminating evidence, is there? Just a gun which points at cars and reads their speeds. Garda pulls me over and says this is the speed you were doing, end of. Ok but.. is it though? Is that really my speed? Where's the proof?

Dartz · 31-05-2009 1:46pm

benifa wrote: »

Interesting stuff! Original link here, btw.

Does this not sound wrong though? These speed guns that they use - there's no actual incriminating evidence, is there? Just a gun which points at cars and reads their speeds. Garda pulls me over and says this is the speed you were doing, end of. Ok but.. is it though? Is that really my speed? Where's the proof?

It'll probably be long, wooden, and beaten over your head. :P

Kotek Besar · 31-05-2009 2:04pm

But do you know what I mean though? Innocent until proven guilty, right? Well, where's the proof that I'm guilty? Where's the proof that the car I was driving was breaking the speed limit?

Lads, obviously I'm speaking hypothetically here...but do you not see my point though?

mcwhirter · 31-05-2009 2:15pm

A friend of mine was caught speeding in a uk car ( he lives in britain with a british licence) and the gardai said that even though he has stopped him and wrote him a fine, he didn't actually have to pay it as he couldn't be prosecuted.

Kotek Besar · 31-05-2009 2:19pm

mcwhirter wrote: »

A friend of mine was caught speeding in a uk car ( he lives in britain with a british licence) and the gardai said that even though he has stopped him and wrote him a fine, he didn't actually have to pay it as he couldn't be prosecuted.

Interesting. But according to TheNog:

TheNog wrote: »

This is a common question so here is what can and will happen to a foreign driver who does not pay up:

- fine is issued to the drivers address
- fine is not paid so a summons is issued
- the driver doesnt show for court and is convicted in their absence
- letter from courts service sent to driver informing them of conviction and fine
- driver doesnt pay the fine so the judge issues a penal warrant
- driver comes back to the Rep and is stopped. Checks show a penal warrant is existance
- driver is arrested and either pays the fine and released or brought to a prison for the amount of days stated on the warrant

So who is correct? Confusing

Seth Brundle · 31-05-2009 6:34pm

benifa wrote: »

But do you know what I mean though? Innocent until proven guilty, right? Well, where's the proof that I'm guilty? Where's the proof that the car I was driving was breaking the speed limit?

Lads, obviously I'm speaking hypothetically here...but do you not see my point though?

IMO when it comes to speeding accusations, you are guilty until you can somehow prove yourself innocent.
I'm not suggesting that the gardai go out looking for someone to 'stitch up' but more that the onus is on the accused to prove themselves innocent

benifa wrote: »

Interesting. But according to TheNog:

So who is correct? Confusing

TheNog is AFAIK a member of the Garda Traffic Corps so I would trust their claim.

mondeo · 31-05-2009 7:13pm

I was done for speeding in 2007, argued it until the cows came home but ended up paying the fine in the end.. I asked for evidence of device caliberation etc etc and they said they did not legaly have to show me anything, went to a solicitor and he said I would probably get done for it if
i brought it to court as I could not prove I was under the limit even though today I still believe I was not speeding as it was a frequent stretch od road I was over familiar with and very aware of regular speed checks. If you dont hold them lasers on the car reg in a competent manner they can over read and thats what I believe happened to me...

In the UK the system is very differant indeed. For example if you break a red light the police officer has to have video evidence of you breaking the light not just him saying you did as it happens in ireland. When you think about it the Irish police force could say you did somthing even though you did not do any such thing and they would get away with it unless you could prove you didn't.

mick.fr · 31-05-2009 10:23pm

Fair play he paid.

I got done in December in UK for not paying the parking in Peterborough city center, on a Sunday. I genuinely thought it was free on Sundays (Well it used to be). 35 pounds, fair enough I spotted the sign when I came back and paid immediately the day after.

Personally I consider if I know I was faulty I just pay the fine, whatever country I am in. Which is not preventing me from fighting it if I am sure I was not faulty...
You never know where you will end up in a few years. You might have to go through a police/military background vetting for a job or something else, so accumulating tickets is not a good idea. Or even in some countries they might give you a hard time if you come back to the border at some stage (Like in the US)

Speeding fine sent to England?

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