Autoexpress article has made me think.....

[crockers]

I was reading this article

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/226302/holiday_headlights_feature.html

when I thought -- how many left hand cars in this country have headlight adapters? I have been looking at all left hand drive foreign registered cars and yes ..not 1 has any adapters on their headlights..

So the question is -- why do the French police fine us for speeding and not having headlight adapters when our police don't do anything to foreign motorists.

Perhaps someone could correct me if I am wrong but it does all seem so very one sided..

And to add to this .......... i wrote to our local "camera safety partnership" and in the last 12 months over 4,000 foreign cars were caught speeding .......................number of tickets issued...........ZERO.....hmmmm

 

[st13phil]

Ahh, but the problem's too difficult

 

[Dieselman]

So the question is -- why do the French police fine us for speeding and not having headlight adapters

Do they.? We've had posters on this forum say they don't bother with adapters when traveling in Europe, including France.

 

[MikeL]

Don't all Xenon lights come with a switch to flick from RHD to LHD beam?

Mike

 

[Dieselman]

Not quite, they have a cut-off shield to give a flat beam, but not to convert to one shining to the right.

 

[cmarkod]

Not 100% on this but I think LHD cars have symetrical beams so there is no kick up either to the left or right. Therefore no chance of dazzling oncoming motorists in RHD countries. Our lights have a kick up which can dazzle motorists when driving in LHD countries therefore needs ammending.

 

[UnMarked]

I was reading this article

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/226302/holiday_headlights_feature.html

So the question is -- why do the French police fine us for speeding and not having headlight adapters when our police don't do anything to foreign motorists.

Perhaps someone could correct me if I am wrong but it does all seem so very one sided..

And to add to this .......... i wrote to our local "camera safety partnership" and in the last 12 months over 4,000 foreign cars were caught speeding .......................number of tickets issued...........ZERO.....hmmmm

We cannot issue on the spot fines in the UK similar to the ones most police forces do in Europe (perhaps we can't be trusted eh?). This means the only way of dealing with foreign motorists who commit offences is to arrest them and put them before the next available court. You must agree that this method, in the majority of instances, is just not feasible (and what about their Human Rights too? ). However, for most due care and above offences (dangerous driving, OPL etc) the driver would be arrested and dealt with in this way.

The speed camera stats are not surprising either. And it is very one-sided and incredibly frustrating too

 

[crockers]

We cannot issue on the spot fines in the UK similar to the ones most police forces do in Europe (perhaps we can't be trusted eh?). This means the only way of dealing with foreign motorists who commit offences is to arrest them and put them before the next available court. You must agree that this method, in the majority of instances, is just not feasible (and what about their Human Rights too? ). However, for most due care and above offences (dangerous driving, OPL etc) the driver would be arrested and dealt with in this way.

The speed camera stats are not surprising either. And it is very one-sided and incredibly frustrating too

This is muted to be changed..I have read a green paper on this and it is being proposed that police be given the powers to "take a deposit" from motorists who have no UK address to which a summons can be delivered - in case they fail to attend court (this will be equivalent to the fine + court cost to encourage attendance.). This is proposed to be introduced on commercial vehicles first. Failure to pay will mean that a vehicle is moved to a safe area and immobolised until payment is made.

Payment will be preferred to be by CC but cash (sterling & Euros) will be accepted - being placed in an evidence bag and sealed infront of the driver. It is still in the discussion stages - but once implemented and proven to be successful - it will be used on ordinary motorists too.

Hope that helps...

 

[robert.saunders]

On a similar vein:

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/...p?CommentPage=1&CommentPageLength=10#comments

ahem

 

[UnMarked]

This is muted to be changed..I have read a green paper on this and it is being proposed that police be given the powers to "take a deposit" from motorists who have no UK address to which a summons can be delivered - in case they fail to attend court (this will be equivalent to the fine + court cost to encourage attendance.). This is proposed to be introduced on commercial vehicles first. Failure to pay will mean that a vehicle is moved to a safe area and immobolised until payment is made.

Payment will be preferred to be by CC but cash (sterling & Euros) will be accepted - being placed in an evidence bag and sealed infront of the driver. It is still in the discussion stages - but once implemented and proven to be successful - it will be used on ordinary motorists too.

Hope that helps...

I've not heard this but it seems sensible to me (I realise that the word sensible in relation to a Green Paper could be classed as an oxymoron but hey-ho ). I've lost count of the times one of our fellow Europeans has been stopped and let off with a little flea in their ear when a UK citizen would have been prosecuted. It's a trifle embarrassing

 

[crockers]

There is a simple - easy answer.

All cars coming into UK have to go through ANPR cameras - and their details logged.

Upon leaving - any parking / speeding or other outstanding fines can be seen and they have to pay before leaving or have their cars impounded until paid.

Ok this does need all data logged onto a central computer asap - but surely this is not beyond the realms of possibility..

 

[st13phil]

...it is being proposed that police be given the powers to "take a deposit" from motorists who have no UK address to which a summons can be delivered - in case they fail to attend court (this will be equivalent to the fine + court cost to encourage attendance.).

This is very similar to the process for non-France domiciled drivers in France but, as usual, HMG want to guild the lily by taking a large sum of money "on deposit" to "encourage court attendance".

The French system is more pragmatic: on-the-spot fine for less serious offences, straight to court for the most serious, and the maximum possible on-the-spot fine as a "deposit" and a summons to court for those in the middle. If the accused doesn't turn up they are tried in their absence and if found guilty a fine issued to them at their given address. If that's not paid then they will be subject to arrest whenever they're next on French soil.

 

[crockers]

I've not heard this but it seems sensible to me (I realise that the word sensible in relation to a Green Paper could be classed as an oxymoron but hey-ho ). I've lost count of the times one of our fellow Europeans has been stopped and let off with a little flea in their ear when a UK citizen would have been prosecuted. It's a trifle embarrassing

Yes I can see that -- as it dispenses with basic English law of "fairness"...lol..


Trouble is ...............they know there is little if anything you can do..

 

[crockers]

This is very similar to the process for non-France domiciled drivers in France but, as usual, HMG want to guild the lily by taking a large sum of money "on deposit" to "encourage court attendance".

The French system is more pragmatic: on-the-spot fine for less serious offences, straight to court for the most serious, and the maximum possible on-the-spot fine as a "deposit" and a summons to court for those in the middle. If the accused doesn't turn up they are tried in their absence and if found guilty a fine issued to them at their given address. If that's not paid then they will be subject to arrest whenever they're next on French soil.

The paper I read related to commercial vehicles ........... domestic vehicles were not mentioned - but I would assume fixed penalty fines would be standard and others would be as commercial to ensure attendance..but that is a "guess"

 

[UnMarked]

This is very similar to the process for non-France domiciled drivers in France but, as usual, HMG want to guild the lily by taking a large sum of money "on deposit" to "encourage court attendance".

The French system is more pragmatic: on-the-spot fine for less serious offences, straight to court for the most serious, and the maximum possible on-the-spot fine as a "deposit" and a summons to court for those in the middle. If the accused doesn't turn up they are tried in their absence and if found guilty a fine issued to them at their given address. If that's not paid then they will be subject to arrest whenever they're next on French soil.

As much as it pains me to admit it - I think the French system is as good as it gets and HMG could learn an awful lot from it. However, I could see it taking months of discussion just to determine whether the fines would be in Sterling or Euros I won't hold my breath just yet.

 

[crockers]

As much as it pains me to admit it - I think the French system is as good as it gets and HMG could learn an awful lot from it. However, I could see it taking months of discussion just to determine whether the fines would be in Sterling or Euros I won't hold my breath just yet.

The Green Paper was allowing both -- I would expect an exchange rate in favour of HMG to encourage Sterling

 

[Dieselman]

This is very similar to the process for non-France domiciled drivers in France but, as usual, HMG want to guild the lily by taking a large sum of money "on deposit" to "encourage court attendance".

The French system is more pragmatic: on-the-spot fine for less serious offences,

Maybe the UK ideal is to stop any questions over legitimacy of issued fines. The system of on the spot fines could be abused.

 

[Leemc2008]

I never bothered with headlight adapters when I go to France, or the GB sticker.. until last year when I read lots about fines being issued..

 

[Adam230K]

I dont even use my car in other countries cuz when i travel abroad, i want to be free of worry and not have to drive anywhere.

 

[Alps]

ive always used a GB sticker, but never headlight deflectors, as apparently thy dont work on the xenons on the 202, MB parts person had no suggestions either! maybe i`ll stick a set on to avoid getting pulled by the cops when im next over, just for show!