Press Release - TÜV SÜD UK

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other hand, is still easy on speeders, only taking drivers to task if they go over the limit by 50 km/hour
and more and then charging a fine of EUR 100.
Too fast: Even moderately overstepping the speed limit can lead to hefty fines. Drivers going up to
20 km/h too fast should hope not to be caught in Sweden, Denmark or Italy; in Italy daytime fines start
at EUR 155, in Denmark up to EUR 270 will be charged and in Sweden a fine of at least EUR 280 hits
traffic offenders hard. Austria takes a more relaxed view of drivers slightly over the speed limit, with
fines starting at EUR 20.
Too much alcohol: Drinking and driving is no partying matter for the police in other European
countries. Most countries impose an alcohol limit of 0.5 ppm; Sweden and Poland have a limit of
0.2 ppm and the Czech Republic and Croatia have a total alcohol ban, with fines from EUR 970 and
EUR 135 respectively. Drink-drivers in Italy pay a minimum of EUR 540 in the daytime, which rises by
over one-third at night. Denmark's beer, already expensive, can cost even more if it's drunk before
driving; fines may be as much as one month's salary. As a comparison, in Germany fines for an alcohol
level of 0.5 ppm start at EUR 500; in France a glass of red wine too many is viewed more leniently,
incurring a penalty of EUR 135 upwards. Belgium (from EUR 140) and Luxembourg (from EUR 145)
also regard drink-driving as a relatively minor offence.
Too talkative: Andare e parlare – drivers caught chatting on their mobile in Italy pay a minimum of
EUR 155. Germany's fines are comparatively low at EUR 40, but a penalty point is added to the driver's
licence in the central database in Flensburg. In Benelux countries too, a minute's conversation on a
mobile phone without a handsfree system can be an expensive business; EUR 150 is charged in the
Netherlands and a minimum of EUR 100 in Belgium. In Sweden, however, drivers can continue their
chat without infringing the law; the country does not explicitly prohibit the use of mobile phones at the
wheel.
Too unaware: Red lights should be taken seriously abroad as well. The times when drivers in Palermo
were forced to continue through red lights by the furiously hooting ranks of cars behind them are long
gone; today's carabinieri and their colleagues would charge at least EUR 155. In Croatia running a red
light will cost EUR 270, and in Sweden the same act will cost a minimum of EUR 250. Guardians of the
road in Poland and Austria are more lenient, with fines from EUR 60 and EUR 70 respectively.
Too aggressive: The same applies to illegal overtaking – a matter of EUR 60 and EUR 70 in Poland
and Austria respectively. The priciest country for overtaking is Estonia, at EUR 385.