Speeding fine - not us - what a palavar

[beejay]

I looked into the setup some years ago after my son was stopped after being clocked at a very high speed in a 90 one Sunday morning on a deserted RN. The gendarmes decided after a friendly discussion to record the speed such that an on the spot fine was appropriate instead of vehicle seizure that the excess speed justified. One officer escorted him to an ATM in the next village and payment was taken. Almost exactly a year later he received a letter to say his case had been reviewed by a tribunal and the penalty applied was correct.

[Graham]

I was fined for doing 65 in a 70 limit. I called in at the Gendarmerie and they said I was one of many as the camera in a parked car beside the road had been set to a 50 limit in error. He seemed to find it quite amusing.
I had to go through the same procedure where you pay in order to get your claim looked at. I was refunded eventually but seem to remember that it did take a while. I don't think that it is worth chasing them up, I think you have to be patient while it goes through their normal process. It does grate however when you are clearly blameless.

[Bayleaf]

I think it's pretty disgusting that you have to pay at all - considering the error was admitted by "the powers that be". Us and them, 'twas ever thus.

[rabbit]

Yes it’s guilty until proven innocent. One should be rewarded with a lost opportunity cost as well as the fine being repaid

[Char]

Finally, after numerous letters, phone calls and emails, we've received an email telling us they've refunded our money to our bank account.

I however can't check this as the bank has decided I can't just log in as usual, but I've got to authenticate myself. With all the passwords and codes I have to use to log on they want to send an sms to the mobile which my OH has at the moment so that will have to wait until later. Bloody bank. grrr

[Hotrodder]

It would be much easier to log in if your were a millionaire crook trying to launder money.

[beejay]

Finally, after numerous letters, phone calls and emails, we've received an email telling us they've refunded our money to our bank account.

I however can't check this as the bank has decided I can't just log in as usual, but I've got to authenticate myself. With all the passwords and codes I have to use to log on they want to send an sms to the mobile which my OH has at the moment so that will have to wait until later. Bloody bank. grrr

Count yourself lucky it's only six months gone by as most take up to a year. The penalty amount is deposit against the challenge failing and the penalty being due. Almost all challenges are based on "I didn't do it" disputes rather than a mis-read of a number plate (despite the fact the photo is checked by two officers) and a court decides on the evidence supplied. Unfortunately, everything goes through the system including the very easy to prove wrong cases like yours. France processes all motoring offences through a single system unlike the UK with its myriad of courts throughout the country.

[ajm]

Finally, after numerous letters, phone calls and emails, we've received an email telling us they've refunded our money to our bank account.

I however can't check this as the bank has decided I can't just log in as usual, but I've got to authenticate myself. With all the passwords and codes I have to use to log on they want to send an sms to the mobile which my OH has at the moment so that will have to wait until later. Bloody bank. grrr

Count yourself lucky it's only six months gone by as most take up to a year. The penalty amount is deposit against the challenge failing and the penalty being due. Almost all challenges are based on "I didn't do it" disputes rather than a mis-read of a number plate (despite the fact the photo is checked by two officers) and a court decides on the evidence supplied. Unfortunately, everything goes through the system including the very easy to prove wrong cases like yours. France processes all motoring offences through a single system unlike the UK with its myriad of courts throughout the country.

Sounds like more than 9 months to me.

[beejay]

Sounds like more than 9 months to me.

So it is. Excuse my miscalculation.