Safe Speed Forums

After returning from a recent trip to Australia (Victoria) I received two speeding fines for 5 km/hr (3 mph) and 8 km/hr (5 mph) over the limit. (In Victoria they have speed zones for 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 and 110 km/hr - in one case I think the police were sitting just inside one of these zones, where it had changed down by 10km/hr, the other was at the bottom of a steep hill).

The hire car company has passed on my details as the "nominated driver". The police have assumed that I was driving, as I was the hirer.

As a British citizen am I obliged to pay these? If I just ignore the notices what are the consequences? Should I just pay up and shut up or is there a better way? If I return the notices as "not known at this address" I presume that the hire company will be fined for incorrect information and my credit card charged accordingly.

Any advice or information would be gratefully received.

I have some Australian friends involved in this stuff. I'll send an email to ensure that they see this. Stand by.

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

The following received by email in response to my request:

"Laws differ from state to state.

There is no agreement between Victorian government and British
government to my knowledge. They have enough trouble working out
agreements between the states in Australia, which is where the traffic
laws all exist here.

You could cancel your credit card and get a new one. This would prevent
the hire car company from debiting the card. You could then write a
letter to the people on the fine advising that due to costs of defending
the ticket and impracticalities of having the Victorian government send
representatives to Britain for a fair trial that you ask that they
reverse the matter.

I have heard of one other person who managed to get away with this."

Offered unedited without comment or endorsement.

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Thanks Paul for your help - this is useful information.