Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond of Top Gear were driving across France while filming an episode. They were doing 143 kph (88 mph) in a 130 kph (80 mph) zone. They were fined all of the money they had in their wallets, had a three month driving ban, and no future court date or way to appeal.
Share your views . Have you been caught speeding in France? Read more.
Here is a classic take on the problem
Photo taken in Hondo, Texas by Steve Wick
The punishment does not fit the crime. Yes they were speeding. A speeding ticket is reasonable. The rest seems overkill to me.
But we don’t know how the interaction was. They might have given the cop some lip and….well, he was proving a point about who’s really in charge.
It’s not the first time Top Gear has run into issues while filming their show ,but it does raise awareness to research ahead of travel the differences in traffic fines,sentencing,etc.
An example is Finland where fines from Traffic tickets are based on your wealth.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/w…-millionaire-2372189
What a pity that anyone would feel the need to speed through lovely France. There are so many reasons to slow down and enjoy, no matter how fine the car. Good on them for admitting their mistake.
I have not had the exact experience of being stopped by the French police for speeding. I have observed that the French police act very quickly to squelch problems. Penalties can be harsh in many countries for all sorts of offenses. I always tell my traveling friends to enjoy themselves but to do their best to follow all of the rules.
The presenters of “Top Gear” would have been locked away years ago – but their experiences are often “Well choreographed” to look like real life incidents ! Its a bit of comedy.