Dear all,

I just got this morning a speed ticket from Zurich police. The ticket is correct, but too expensive: 250 CHF for driving at only 14 Km/h over the speed limit that was 50Km/h (in the city). I got it while I was driving a rented car, so I guess the rental company passed them my address (I won’t rent again with such police informers…).

The thing is that during the rental period, this ticket is dated from the first day I drove that car, I am sure I passed the same street, and most likely also driving over the speed limit because I never paid attention to it, so I am afraid there are more 250CHF tickets to come to my mail box.

Tomorrow I am leaving the country as my residence is abroad… somewhere in Asia. I can pay this first ticket, but as I said for sure more tickets will come and I don’t know what will happen with them or what will happen with me when I come back here for the next semester meeting in the head offices of the company I am working with.

Anybody has experience with a similar issue? What happens if I don’t pay it (from tomorrow and on I wont be able to do so? Can they hold the payment till I come back? Will my name be registered? Will the ban me from entering this country again?

Any reply is welcome,
Daniel.

They will probably send them on to you somewhere in Asia?

Speeding in a residential area usually carries heavier fines than speeding on more open roads (motorways, etc) so the CHF250 is probably right.

If you skip the country without paying, the rental company will charge it to your credit card so you can't escape the fine.

By the way, the rental company didn't shop you to the police, the police would have traced the car back to the company which would have forwarded the fine onto you.

If you don't want a "too expensive" ticket, don't speed. All rental companies are legally obliged to pass on the details of their customers when it comes to matters like this. I'm sure you signed something permitting the organisation to do just that.

Take some responsibilities for your choices and the consequences that follow, please.

Well you have two choices. Either pay up directly, or wait until the rental company will charge it to your credit card plus expenses.

As to who you rent with, i doubt any rental company in the world will pay speeding fines in your stead just because you're a nice guy.

Pay the first one and pay the others if they forward them on to you. If you haven't received them, I don't see how they can stop you re-entering the country, although they may ask you to pay them upon arrival.

This is Switzerland. If it is one thing, it is organized. Do not expect them to "forget" the tickets. If you plan to come back during this life, you better pay.

You better pay immediately as they love to slap some fees for waiting or any additional work on top. I would not expect them to ban you from coming back, they are more likely waiting for you instead

What Shorrock said.

In fact if you check your rental agreement you will see you have signed a clause which states that all such fines will debited from your credit card...

Owl pussy cat: I love you too. Please read again my post.

I'm just afraid of what will happen when i come back here as it will be not possible to pay while i'm off.

another interesting 'first post' and i agree with the sentiment of the response here.

shorrick is probably right here. the rental company will probably end up charging the fine and adding the the double level of overheads: police and their own, to your credit card.

also, after having left CH with fines outstanding, the next time you enter CH you could be held at immigration until you pay up any outstanding fines + penalties.

I rented the car just leaving a deposit in cash. It was a local rental company. The police or the rental company just can't charge it direct to my credit card.
Daniel.

Moving to another country is not an reason for not paying it, as you can always make an international bank transfer.
You will be likely to get the bill, once again, and it does not matter where you are. They do it with any of the residents in Europe: you pass Switzerland, and then you get your speed ticket from 3 different cantons in Lux or France. I can see why 'somewhere in Asia' should be different.
CHF250 It is just an insignificant amount if you compare it against getting a visa/permit again in the future, or getting another ticket while you are back in the country. In addition, the shame of informing your employer that you are having problems getting your visa application because that. It is obvious that if the speed limit is in place is to observe it and if you do not, you should also know how to accept the consequences.

Is that on all car rental companies ? I thought only some had this clause. the others will charge you a fee for forwarding on the fine but they dont actually take it off your card.

If you have got the fine and you are still in Switzerland just go to the post office and pay it. There is even a post office at the airport so you should easily manage it.

I don't need an entry/visa as this is shengen, right? I live in Asia, but i'm European. Actually they don't even know I came here as no one registered my passport when i entered this lovely country.
Also, drive 64, when the speed limit is 50 i don't think can be considered as 'too fast'.
Dani.

Then your choices are very limited - avoid Switzerland for the rest of your life. They won't ban you - they'll welcome you quite gladly, and then serve a bill for 250CHF + overheads + court fees + interest accrued.

I hope you enjoyed your drive

That's not your call, mate.

Ohh, European. That'll make it even easier for them to trace you down

I suggest you try that in court and inform us how far it took you.

Ok... let's start again. I think people missunderstood my post.

I can (will pay) the tickets as long as I know there's a ticket. it's not a big issue as i can do it through internet banking. I have paid the first one indeed.
My questions is what will happen with the rest that i will not be able to get. what will happen when i come here some months later. i don't like to be caught in the airport and lock in a room till they decide what to do with me. Got it?
Dani.

I hope I will not be totally distracting from the OP's dilemma as I have my own to share which comes under the same topic and would also like some advice.

My husband got stopped by the police about 3 months ago for a routine check and he was informed that he has 800 chf in speeding fines on our Uk registered car. They took our address down, but to this date we are still awaiting the fines to arrive through the post. Whilst I am constantly reminding him about his speed and we are very careful now, the fact that the fines haven't arrived is worrisome and we have no idea what we should be doing, other than wait for the police to stop us for another routine check and ask them (?).

I would also like to add that these fine have probably been picked up for a period of many months and because the car isn't registered here, the police did not have our address and probably didn't know where to send the fines, however, now they do and are still not doing anything about it and like the OP we are worried that should we leave the country , whatever happens to the fines... and how would we ever prove that we received nothing through the post.