I recently received a fine for allegedly doing 57 in a 50kph limit. As I live 40km from the alledged incident I was unable to verify the limit within the 15 days so I paid the fine. 3 weeks later I passed the same camera and noticed that the limit was 70kph not 50kph. I wrote to explain that the camera was faulty in that it was set for the wrong limit and received the reply that "as I had paid the fine I had admitted liabilty and there would be no refund ". Has anybody had a similar experience, moral don’t pay the fine dispute it!!!
Much as I do not like speed cameras and those associated with them, I am soory but I cannot believe that even they would have made such an error. Maybe the limit has been revised to 70 since you were flashed…?
It’s of no use to you now but you could have checked street view. There would be a reminder sign prior to the camera. You could use that to confirm or dispel Adam’s theory of a change in speed limit as it unlikely to have been rephotographed in the intervening time.
Personally, for 40km, i would have gone back if i had doubts.
It’s very unlikely the camera setting and posted limit didn’t match as thousands would be complaining when the AdC arrived in the post
If you give the location and date as shown on the Avis de Contravention it’s possible to check what the limit was at the time and if it was changed subsequently.
It’s impossible to ‘not pay and dispute it’ as the amende has to be included with the challenge. It will be returned if the challenge is successful.
Was the camera fixed or mobile? It is conceivable, but again I do not think that even they are that stupid, if it was a mobile device that the operator had set it incorrectly.
It was mobile
mmm. You would have had a better case, but as said above, you sent the fine in without the appeal page hence their interpretation that you accepted the penalty.
Are they separate in France? In the UK you can appeal but you have to pay the full fine and not receive a discount for early settlement. If found in your favour you would then not have to pay so you run a risk by standing your ground. How does that compare to France?
I had one last year here in France and I think it was exactly as you say.