subject: Stuck In Europe- Specialist Driving Advice [print this page] Although we specialise in road traffic cases in Scotland it is clear that many of us will require assistance in Europe due to the flight chaos that is currently closing airports all over Europe.
Many people have decided to hire cars in an attempt to get home therefore we have set out some of the laws that affect drivers in Europe.
We DO NOT specialise in road traffic cases in any other country except Scotland but we do hope that this information may be of use to drivers frantically trying to get home.
Here we look at how offences and penalties compare:
GERMANY
We would consider the blood/alcohol limit in Germany to be zero. Actually it is 0.5mg/ml and this is for any trace elements of alcohol left in your system.
If you break this law expect suspension for up to three months even for a first time offence. In Scotland you face a 12 month ban even for a first offence but the level of alcohol accepted here is higher
Don't fall out with the cops or show your displeasure with a hand gesture as you can expect an on the spot penalty for nearly 500
No seat belt offences will attract an on the spot penalty in the region of 25.
SPAIN
Don't speed in Spain as the fines can be crippling. Approx 250 to 1300 for exceeding the limit by 30kph over the speed limit;
One of our clients exceeded the speed limits through out Spain and France in an attempt to deliver a top of the range Audi to London. He failed to stop for the police so thought he would be free of the on the spot fines. His Audi was taken from him in Calais and he is still involved in a legal wrangle about how to get it back to the UK.
Don't fill the car with more passengers than seats as you will face a fine for doing so. It may be tempting to pick up the distressed hitch hikers that are trying to make their way home but they will not get the fine. You will.
Careless driving and parking in dangerous spots will also attract fines of up to 250 and a possible licence suspension for 30 days.
They are hot on use of a mobile phone so don't be tempted to phone home whilst at the wheel. Pull over and be safe.
ITALY
It can be a nightmare to be stopped for a driving offence in Italy as they will press for payment and if you fail to pay any fine you can expect to be arrested the next time you venture into their country,
The fines can seem inordinately expensive with fines handed out for speeding that are hundreds of pounds and for some offences even several hundred pounds.
FRANCE
There is a common misconception that drink driving is ignored by the police in France. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whilst the French do not have as many traffic policemen able to patrol their vast country they do deal with drink driving in some cases with a prison sentence.
The misconception probably comes about because they also deal with low level alcohol consumption by way of fines and low level driving suspension but be aware that this relates to a very low level blood alcohol. 0.5mg/ml compared to the 0.8mg/ml in Scotland.
If you have more than 0.8mg/ml in your system you could face a two-year prison term and a much steeper fine.
Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in towns; 90kph (56mph) on main roads; and 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways. On motorways the speed limit is actually 130kph (81mph).
The above is a guide and not legal advice. We specialise in road traffic law in Scotland and not the countries listed but at this present time of flight crisis maybe this information will be of assistance to at least one of the poor souls abandoned by the airlines in Europe.
