Re: European Auto Rental

[Michael Murphy <mmurphy@nais.com>]

DeWitt Harrison wrote:

> Plus the route would cross the Alps and the driver would be Italian.
> Gasoline and fire.
> 
Swiss are very sneaky/smart.  Drove all over CH last Jan.  Only place I
got a ticket was near Gotthard Tunnel (major North/South route thru
Alps) where CH Polizei have speed traps galore - but only on the North
side (coming out of Italy).  We were one of ~15 cars/trucks pulled over. 
Fine was 200Chf (~$140) for 102 in 80 zone.  I said, "Sorry officer, I
didn't see the reduced speed limit for construction zone sign (there was
NO construction)".  He got a kick out of my NYS Drivers license (showing
it to his compadres, saying something like "We caught a New Yorker".  As
he gave me the payment stub he said while :=), "Here's a souvenir of
your trip to CH".  BTW, they don't take credit cards so if you speed,
carry plenty-o-cash or they will impound your car until you come up
with the "readies".

When I told my Swiss boss of this, he told me one of his Italian
customers got a 1600Chf fine for 200+ in 120 zone, right at the CH/IT
border.  Probably didn't help that the guy was driving a WMB 740.

Audi content - ticketed while driving an A3 rented in DE that, I think,
was supposed to have a CH toll sticker, but didn't.  Think that fine is
500Chf.
--
MJ Murphy