What happens if I'm caught on speed camera in France, Germany or Spain?
Q. I'm taking my car to France, Germany and Spain this summer. Are there traffic cameras to look out for in these countries and, if so, what happens if I get caught? I'm not intending to break the law but if I do so inadvertently are penalties enforceable in the UK? If I don't pay, will the authorities catch up with me the next time I go on holiday? BE, Southampton
Like most EU countries, France, Germany and Spain all use speed cameras that increasingly also detect mobile phone use, red light infringements, seatbelt wearing and tailgating. Cameras can be fixed, mobile or average speed types.
Spain also targets drivers who slow down for the camera then speed up again, often with a second, mobile
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Four European countries 'outraged' over new airline luggage rules passed by EU
Last week, the Council of Europe made two major decisions on the future of commercial air travel. The first was on compensation rights, and the second related to free hand luggage Four European countries are outraged at new rules that could limit how much delayed passengers can claim in compensation and when airlines can charge passengers for carrying hand luggage. Last week, the Council of Europe made two major decisions on the future of commercial air travel. The first was on compensation rights. The Council decided that passengers on short-haul flights would have to be delayed by four hours or more before they could claim compensation, rather than the current three. For long-haul flights, delays will have to be six or more hours. The good news for passengers is that compensation for those delayed on short-haul flights will increase from €250 (£211) to €300. However, compensation for long-haul flights will be cut from €600 to €500. The changes were first tabled 13 years ago and must still be approved by the European Parliament before they become law. The European Consumer Organisation, the BEUC, has argued that the changes will be a huge blow for consumers and deprive 'the majority of passengers from their compensation rights". The BEUC claims that most delays are between two and four hours. While the UK now sets its own compensation rules following Brexit, the changes will impact Brits if they come into force, as it will apply to passengers taking flights with an EU carrier. This means it could affect a passenger travelling to and from an EU country on an EU airline. The second decision relates to baggage allowance. Under the new rules, the concept to free luggage will be limited to 'personal items' that can be placed under the front seat. That will leave other stowed cabin bags exposed to charges. Spain, Germany, Slovenia, and Portugal voted against the changes, warning that they could mean passengers end up paying extra for almost any cabin bag. The Spanish government criticised the new rules as 'too restrictive.' Spain's Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, described the changes as an 'outrage'. The political agreement, adopted by a qualified majority in the EU Council, was voted against by Spain, Germany, Slovenia and Portugal. Minister Bustinduy argued that the new rules would violate consumer rights and "only strengthen the power and profits of airlines." If the rules are accepted, then Ryanair would have to change its free hand luggage policy. Right now, the budget Irish airline require customers to have a bag no larger than 40x20x25 centimetres, which must fit under the seat in front. Under the new rules, the dimensions will be changed to 40x30x15 centimetres. That means Ryanair would be obliged to allow a bag 10 centimetres wider, but could also reduce the depth currently allowed by 10 centimetres.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Passengers flying with major airlines to face new 4 hour rule at airports
In a huge blow to Brits, EU countries have green-lighted controversial plans to lengthen the wait time before delayed passengers can claim compensation for both short and long-haul journeys Customers flying with some big name air operators on short-haul flights have been hit with a brutal four-hour warning over a controversial shakeup. After 12 years of wrangling, EU countries have green-lighted plans to lengthen the wait time before flyers can lodge claims for delayed flights. Currently, passengers have to be delayed by more than three hours before qualifying for compensation. However, under the new stipulations - which still have to be negotiated with the European Parliament before they become law - short-haul travellers will only be eligible to claim compensation after being delayed by four hours or more, while those on longer journeys will have to sit tight for a six-hour hold-up before they can lodge a compensation claim. It's not all bad news though, as EU nations have also agreed to increase the amount of compensation for those delayed on short-haul journeys from €250 (approx £210.47) to €300 (£252.56). But, passengers hit with delays on long-haul flights could see their compensation reduce from €600 (£505) to €500 (£420). The trade body Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents companies such as Ryanair, easyJet and Lufthansa, and The European Consumer Organisation, the BEUC, both slammed the rules - arguing it would deprive the majority of passengers from being able to claim compensation. This is because most delays are only between two and four hours. "Europe has been waiting for transparent and workable passenger rights for 12 years and member states have fallen at the final hurdle to deliver," A4E said. "Member states have diluted the European Commission's original proposal and introduced even more complexity." According to Yorkshire Live, German members of the European People's Party have also expressed their disapproval, stating that 'decreasing the rights to compensation for air passengers would be a step in the wrong direction'. "Reimbursement after a three-hour delay has been standard for many years and should remain so," they added. A senior EU diplomat is believed to have said that 'no politician wants to say more than four hours' at risk of dampening Europeans' holiday plans. The news comes amidst accusations by 16 consumer protection associations from 12 Member States against seven budget airlines for imposing unfair charges on passengers' hand luggage. "The European Court of Justice has made it very clear that hand baggage is an integral part of the basic ticket price. Normally, there is no surcharge on the price as long as the hand luggage is of a reasonable size," explained Steven Berger, a solicitor with the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC). "All we're seeing is a proliferation of airlines charging for this baggage... We're calling for very clear rules. Passengers must be able to take one piece of luggage, a small suitcase or a rucksack." He added: "At the moment, there are two different opposing positions among the member states in the Council. On the whole, you have the camp of the member states that are going to defend the three hours to be able to benefit from the right to compensation and others that are going to ask for five hours and nine hours based on distance. So right now this is really the big source of conflict." *Prices based on EUR to GBP conversions at the time of writing.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
TUI expands flights to 4 European hotspots as Brits ignore over tourism pleas
Despite escalating calls to curb over-tourism in hotspots like the Canary Islands and Majorca - TUI has unveiled more flights for next summer TUI has unveiled a major expansion at a tiny UK airport in several EU hotspots - casting the effectiveness of anti-tourist protests into doubt. The airline, which flies to more than 100 destinations worldwide, has boosted capacity at Cardiff Airport as part of its Summer 2026 schedule. Due to soaring demand, TUI will double its weekly flying frequency to Gran Canaria next summer to twice a week, while the Cardiff to Palma De Mallorca route will be increased from five flights per week to six. Customers will also be able to choose from an additional flight to Tenerife each week, with four weekly flights due to commence. A new route to Fuerteventura, one of the less visited Canary Islands, will also commence on December 20, 2025 and will continue through the following period. Other new routes include direct flights to Hurghada from May 2, 2026, and routes from Cardiff to Faro, in Portugal - while TUI will increase its flights to Antalya, in Turkey, to four times a week. "We're really excited to be expanding our routes and flying frequency from Cardiff Airport to give our customers even more choice and flexibility," said TUI UK&I's Chris Logan." With exclusive new routes and additional flights to some of the most popular holiday destinations, we're making it even easier for travellers to visit new places from their local airport. "We've seen the demand for destinations such as Turkey, Tenerife and Mallorca grow year on year. So, this increase in capacity allows customers to explore more options when booking their holiday." Lee Smith of Cardiff Airport also welcomed the 'fantastic news' - which he says will mean there will be an additional 48,000 holidays available from TUI from Cardiff next summer. "The recent announcement of a second based aircraft this winter, followed by today's news of a fourth based aircraft in summer 2026, shows the confidence TUI has in the market," he added. However, it's likely the announcement won't go down as well with locals in the Canary Islands and Majorca - who have been ramping up their efforts against over-tourism. Following record-breaking levels of international tourists in 2024, both Brit-heavy destinations erupted into a string of protests - which saw banner-waving residents ordering holidaymakers to 'go home'. Locals argue the influx of tourists is pricing them out of the property market, and worsening Spain's housing crisis. While tough crackdowns have been announced to curb the on-going issue (including a strict ban on new holiday rentals) activists have vowed to keep demonstrations going through the summer period. Next week (June 15) widespread protests are slated to happen across hotspots including Ibiza, San Sebastián, Palma de Mallorca, Granada, the Pyrenees, and Barcelona. The Assembly of Neighbourhoods for Tourism Degrowth, which is behind the action, has been encouraging protestors to bring water pistols to target holidaymakers and get their message across. As previously reported, member Daniel Pardo Rivacoba argued water pistols are a 'popular symbol of resistance against the plundering of the tourism monoculture' before arguing that the tourism industry 'is incompatible with life'. His group is demanding rapid 'tourism regrowth' - something less likely to happen with even more scheduled flights.
