speeding ticket in the mail
Sep 14th, 2006, 12:19 PM
#41
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Of course, there is always the question of the accuracy of the speed camera in question. There have been in some areas with jurisdictions that contracted out red light camera operation to private companies--the government and the private company split the fines collected.
Turns out they shortened the yellow light cycle so that even people traveling at a reasonable rate of speed would be shown in the intersection with a red light even though they could not have stopped safely when the light changed.
And any mechanical device will eventually malfunction. Though I guess it's no worse to have a machine lie about one speeding or running a red light than a weasel cop. At least with the cop, you could try to confront him in court (if you don't mind risking be harassed in the future).
Turns out they shortened the yellow light cycle so that even people traveling at a reasonable rate of speed would be shown in the intersection with a red light even though they could not have stopped safely when the light changed.
And any mechanical device will eventually malfunction. Though I guess it's no worse to have a machine lie about one speeding or running a red light than a weasel cop. At least with the cop, you could try to confront him in court (if you don't mind risking be harassed in the future).
Sep 14th, 2006, 12:53 PM
#43
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Personally deanojellybeano, I would not wire the amount of the fine to the bank number you were given. This could be a case of fraud.
I am one that certainly would pay a legitimate fine be it for a parking violation,or speeding violation etc. But in that fraud is happening around the world I would be cautious.
I would contact the auto rental company that you rented your vehicle from. That is the only way any legitimate (or non legitimate) person, law enforcement bureau etc., could get your name, address etc.
If still not satisfied I would contact the Italian PD where this violation was suppose to have taken place.
If you need to write to the local Italian PD in Italian please post back. I will have my SIL write what you need to say in Italian. He was born and raised in Rome and consequently speaks and writes perfect Italian as well as English. Best regards.
I am one that certainly would pay a legitimate fine be it for a parking violation,or speeding violation etc. But in that fraud is happening around the world I would be cautious.
I would contact the auto rental company that you rented your vehicle from. That is the only way any legitimate (or non legitimate) person, law enforcement bureau etc., could get your name, address etc.
If still not satisfied I would contact the Italian PD where this violation was suppose to have taken place.
If you need to write to the local Italian PD in Italian please post back. I will have my SIL write what you need to say in Italian. He was born and raised in Rome and consequently speaks and writes perfect Italian as well as English. Best regards.
Sep 14th, 2006, 12:55 PM
#44
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sounds like a scam. deanojellybeano, you should report this to the italian embassy so the scammer who used your home address will be investigated.
who knows what other details the scammer has besides your home address? credit card number?
who knows what other details the scammer has besides your home address? credit card number?
Sep 14th, 2006, 12:55 PM
#45
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I got caught on camera in Holland (I thought I was going the same speed as all the traffic; maybe they got tickets as well.) Anyway the car rental company charged my credit card and sent me a letter explaining the charges, which were for the fine, the tax on the fine (would that be double dipping?), and a charge for their paperwork (and aggravation?). I muttered but figured that was the breaks of the game.
Iwould assume that any police would go through the rental company, but can't say about any country other than my experience. In your case, I would contact the rental company--just because the situation would bother me. That's just my take.
Hope it resolves itself.
Iwould assume that any police would go through the rental company, but can't say about any country other than my experience. In your case, I would contact the rental company--just because the situation would bother me. That's just my take.
Hope it resolves itself.
Sep 14th, 2006, 12:57 PM
#46
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>>>>>
no way to hold a particular driver responsible as there is no way to prove who was driving the car. Those cameras in Italy will do no better at recognizing a particular driver than the ones in Florida will do;
>>>>>>
well not exactly.
first, in some areas of the UK cameras do photograph the driver. i don't know italian law either but you are making general statements and assumptions about how it HAS to work everywhere. they will not try to prosecute unless the driver is identifiable in the pic. if the pic doesn't match the driver's licence photo, most likely it's dropped and no notice is sent.
for non-driver photo areas in the uk, the DRIVER is responsible for the fine, not the owner. i don't feel like explaining it all but in short, the "ticket" is really the beginning of an investigation to determine who was driving at the time the pic was taken. of course, the investigation begins with the owner of the car but the owner is just a witness that helps with the investigation of the driver. there is no automatic assumption or liability placed on the owner.
no way to hold a particular driver responsible as there is no way to prove who was driving the car. Those cameras in Italy will do no better at recognizing a particular driver than the ones in Florida will do;
>>>>>>
well not exactly.
first, in some areas of the UK cameras do photograph the driver. i don't know italian law either but you are making general statements and assumptions about how it HAS to work everywhere. they will not try to prosecute unless the driver is identifiable in the pic. if the pic doesn't match the driver's licence photo, most likely it's dropped and no notice is sent.
for non-driver photo areas in the uk, the DRIVER is responsible for the fine, not the owner. i don't feel like explaining it all but in short, the "ticket" is really the beginning of an investigation to determine who was driving at the time the pic was taken. of course, the investigation begins with the owner of the car but the owner is just a witness that helps with the investigation of the driver. there is no automatic assumption or liability placed on the owner.
Sep 14th, 2006, 01:04 PM
#47
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I just got an email from a friend who rented a car in France last month:
____________
"We got an interesting mailing from Avis after we got home. Apparently we were going 34.5 mph in a 30 mph zone which incurred a 90 euro fine if paid in 15 days. But since the ticket was sent to Avis, and since they had to reissue it to us, the fine went to the next level; 135 euros. If not paid in the next 10 days, or 45 days from it's occurance, it goes to 345 euros, Boy, those French don't fool around!
So..at $1.30 per euro, our little ticket will cost $175.50 plus $25 to have the foreign exchange write a check in euros...PLUS Avis is charging us $30 to administer the paperwork. A total of $255.50. Sigh.
Our French friends have been had been nattering about these new speed traps throughout France.
Your speed is calculated by two mechanical strips perhaps a km apart. If you are going over the speed limit, your car is photographed after it passes over the second strip and the license info processed. No more cops waiting behind bushes; no more arguing with the officer, click, click, that's all and the bill is in the mail.
I wondered where the money was coming from to plant all o the tens of thousands of flowering plants that blanket all of the villages of France."
_________________
I think that she meant km instead of mph.
Nina
____________
"We got an interesting mailing from Avis after we got home. Apparently we were going 34.5 mph in a 30 mph zone which incurred a 90 euro fine if paid in 15 days. But since the ticket was sent to Avis, and since they had to reissue it to us, the fine went to the next level; 135 euros. If not paid in the next 10 days, or 45 days from it's occurance, it goes to 345 euros, Boy, those French don't fool around!
So..at $1.30 per euro, our little ticket will cost $175.50 plus $25 to have the foreign exchange write a check in euros...PLUS Avis is charging us $30 to administer the paperwork. A total of $255.50. Sigh.
Our French friends have been had been nattering about these new speed traps throughout France.
Your speed is calculated by two mechanical strips perhaps a km apart. If you are going over the speed limit, your car is photographed after it passes over the second strip and the license info processed. No more cops waiting behind bushes; no more arguing with the officer, click, click, that's all and the bill is in the mail.
I wondered where the money was coming from to plant all o the tens of thousands of flowering plants that blanket all of the villages of France."
_________________
I think that she meant km instead of mph.
Nina
Sep 14th, 2006, 01:35 PM
#48
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"Your speed is calculated by two mechanical strips perhaps a km apart. If you are going over the speed limit, your car is photographed after it passes over the second strip and the license info processed."
I would be fascinated to know how this works. How does the first strip know which car just passed over it? By reading the license plate? Optical character recognition? And then comparing it to every license plate that passes over the second strip?
I would be fascinated to know how this works. How does the first strip know which car just passed over it? By reading the license plate? Optical character recognition? And then comparing it to every license plate that passes over the second strip?
Sep 14th, 2006, 03:10 PM
#52
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<< The "ticket" is not from the car rental company. >>
But does it reference a car that you rented, in a location where you were on the date they cite?
If so, how could a scam artist get your address?
I think many here would be interested in what details they cite to you, that sounds like you were genuinely observed in a car that you rented (whether you were speeding or not).
Best wishes,
Rex
But does it reference a car that you rented, in a location where you were on the date they cite?
If so, how could a scam artist get your address?
I think many here would be interested in what details they cite to you, that sounds like you were genuinely observed in a car that you rented (whether you were speeding or not).
Best wishes,
Rex
Sep 14th, 2006, 03:15 PM
#53
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You may or may not have been observed driving. Anywhere I have ever registered to stay, I have been asked for the license number (and often some combination of make, year, model, and color) of my rental.
So it could be a dishonest hotel employee running the scam. I'd start by finding out who owns that bank account number.
So it could be a dishonest hotel employee running the scam. I'd start by finding out who owns that bank account number.
Sep 14th, 2006, 03:32 PM
#56
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Just to add to walkinaround's point and purely out of interest: The UK authorities don't bother sending out prosecutions to foreign registered cars as it costs more to chase them than the income generated. Perhaps we should do what the French do and march the culprits to an ATM - but that would mean having actual police working rather than thousands of cameras.
Robespierre - if you don't like the thought of people getting away with traffic violations, you'll agree with the following:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/14092006/14...age-rules.html
Robespierre - if you don't like the thought of people getting away with traffic violations, you'll agree with the following:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/14092006/14...age-rules.html
Sep 14th, 2006, 03:33 PM
#57
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Poo. Used the wrong link!!
This should have been there -
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/13092006/34...crackdown.html
This should have been there -
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/13092006/34...crackdown.html
Sep 14th, 2006, 03:47 PM
#58
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I think I will stick to the trains in Europe. Interesting that you received a certified letter. This seems like an expensive fishing expedition by Italian traffic authorities. I wonder what you would do with this letter if you only spoke Spanish?
Sep 14th, 2006, 03:59 PM
#59
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I have absolutely no idea how those two mechanical strips work nor how they calculate your rate of speed between those strips - about 3/4 (?) of a mile apart.
DH just said, 'oh, jeez, that will take a lot of the fun out of driving in Europe'.... and Mr. Leadfoot should know
Nina
DH just said, 'oh, jeez, that will take a lot of the fun out of driving in Europe'.... and Mr. Leadfoot should know
Nina
Sep 14th, 2006, 04:09 PM
#60
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rex, I stand my my original guess of a possibility that it is some employee of the car rental agency who has access to such matters. I can't imagine how anyone could match up the license plate of an Italian rental car with the US address of the renter except via the agency one way or another.
