24-04-14, 07:02 AM
I've been following this discussion about how bad policing of speeding and fines can be in Switzerland on another forum for some time. Some of the guys on that forum are regular visitors to the Alps, one even runs a biker's hotel in Austria, and even among this experienced crowd, there seems to be some disagreement about how bad things really are in this regard.
The general consensus seems to be that if you stick rigidly to speed limits in and on the approaches to towns and villages, you won't have problems. Things seem to be a little less rigorous in the mountains, but from what I can gather there are plenty of places where you'd be lucky, even suicidal, to be able to break the limits anyway, simply due to the nature of the mountain roads.
I have, however, heard that they are rigorous about tyre condition, and stop checks on this are quite common, with on the spot fines, even carried out by border police.
Fines, when they are imposed, seem to be quite draconian in Switzerland, but Austria seems to be less so, with drivers virtually ignoring the limits as the fines are so low.
On the popular mountain roads in the summer, people have said that because there are so many bikers around, you tend to get good warning of speed traps anyway.
If my court date doesn't fall slap bang in the middle of mine and Neil's planned holiday (and I'll feel like a proper c**t if it does, to let Neil down like that), then I guess we'll find out for ourselves, although we don't plan this to be a hooning trip, more about enjoying the scenery.
The general consensus seems to be that if you stick rigidly to speed limits in and on the approaches to towns and villages, you won't have problems. Things seem to be a little less rigorous in the mountains, but from what I can gather there are plenty of places where you'd be lucky, even suicidal, to be able to break the limits anyway, simply due to the nature of the mountain roads.
I have, however, heard that they are rigorous about tyre condition, and stop checks on this are quite common, with on the spot fines, even carried out by border police.
Fines, when they are imposed, seem to be quite draconian in Switzerland, but Austria seems to be less so, with drivers virtually ignoring the limits as the fines are so low.
On the popular mountain roads in the summer, people have said that because there are so many bikers around, you tend to get good warning of speed traps anyway.
If my court date doesn't fall slap bang in the middle of mine and Neil's planned holiday (and I'll feel like a proper c**t if it does, to let Neil down like that), then I guess we'll find out for ourselves, although we don't plan this to be a hooning trip, more about enjoying the scenery.