Fines in Europe for violating traffic rules (traffic rules) are quite high and their compliance is closely monitored here. For example, in Russia or Ukraine you are unlikely to be fined for overtaking on the right, stopping on the side of the highway, or having your emergency lights on. And in Germany or Austria – be prepared to pay money for it.

Traffic rules in Europe, in general, coincide with the traffic rules in Russia and Ukraine. The signs are mostly the same. Although each country has its own characteristics, so before starting your trip, be sure to familiarize yourself with the nuances of the traffic rules of the country you need. You can read about the features of travel by car to Germany on our website.

Why our tourists are fined in Europe

First of all, for speeding. We must remember that the EU has adopted a different speed limit. In populated areas you can drive at a speed of no more than 50 km. at one o’clock. And many intersections and traffic lights are equipped with automatic cameras and radars. The fine for excess in Europe will depend on the severity of the offense. That is, for exceeding the speed limit by 10 km. You will most likely pay a small fine (10-15 euros), but for exceeding it by more than 50 km. – already a large sum of money (in Germany – 240 euros). “For free” you can only exceed the speed limit by a couple of kilometers. For 55-56 km. in an hour they will already be fined.

Speed rules in the EU. The maximum speed in populated areas is 50 km. per hour.

Other private traffic violations:
– throwing garbage onto the road from a car;
– unbelted driver and passengers;
– a child under 12 years of age sitting without a child seat;
– driver talking on a mobile phone, listening to music on headphones, etc.;
– driving through a yellow traffic light;
– violation of parking rules;
– self-repair of a car on the autobahn;
– driving along the highway without low beams (and it’s better to always turn on the running lights);
– car speed is too low (on the highway);
– unpaid toll (in some countries, when entering the country, you need to buy special vignettes and stick them on the glass. You can buy them at gas stations).

Examples of fines

Based on fines in Germany and Austria):
– driving on the side of the road (10-40 euros);
– did not give the required signal with a turn sign before changing lanes (20-40 euros);
– driving through a red light (40-70 euros);
– violation of the overtaking sign is prohibited (30-100 euros);
– did not stop before the stop line (30-60 euros);
– driving while intoxicated (250-1000 euros up to arrest and deprivation of a driver’s license);
– violation of the speed limit (from 10 euros and up to 2000 euros in Austria for exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km);
– violation of parking rules (40-80 euros).

It should also be taken into account that:
– the amount of the fine will be less if you pay the policeman on the spot. Then higher amounts are received by mail through the court + you will also have to pay a commission to the bank.
– You cannot give bribes, there is a separate article for this. It’s also better not to joke or argue with the police. For this they can even take you out of the car and send you to the police station.

Do fines come from Europe?

It often happens that you violated traffic rules (for example, the violation was registered by an automatic tracking system), but then left the country. Practice shows that the fine will catch up with you anyway. It will most likely come to your home by mail. What to do? It is better to pay using the specified bank details in the account at any local bank branch. Almost all banks support payments abroad. If you do not pay, then there may be problems in the future when obtaining a visa and crossing the border (since information about the unpaid fine will remain in the database).

Before traveling, we also recommend that you read our article Travel by car to Europe: what documents, what you need to take on the road.