14 Nov 2008 7:33 AM:
We too had an experience with the Trafico Guardia Civil on 5th April this year.
We were travelling along the A3 motorway just before Madrid.
We were 7 passengers in a minibus, 3 adults and 4 teenagers. One of the adults was a detective inspector in the UK Police Force for 23 years.
The Spanish plated vehicle we were in, has some business advertising on the rear window, which is in English. ( An easy target, perhaps)?
Basically here's what happened...
My wife noticed in the rear view mirror, that 2 trafico police were following us. She checked her speed and said "make sure everyone has their seat belts on"
Our friend, (the ex CID inspector), checked that the 4 teenagers all had their seat belts on.
The two Guadia Civil on motorbikes overtook us and indicated for us to pull over.
They asked for all our documents and meticulously checked the vehicle over.
All our documents are in order, as is the vehicle, but then one of the Policia started to write out a ticket!?
All the boys are fluent in Spanish and we asked them to ask what the ticket was for.
We were told that the ticket was because one of the boys wasn't wearing a seat belt!
This was simply not true.
We said that in no way did any of the boys not have a seat belt on, because we checked!
The real arrogant one (who never took his sunglasses off for the whole time) then said that Oh well, one of the boys in the back seat wasn't wearing it correctly!!
After some discussions, they still booked us.
A fine of 150 euros and 3 points for on my wife's licence. Her 1st ever points on her licence in 13 years!
It just felt like Dick Turpin, highway robbery.
We were all incensed at the injustice of this incident. We went to see a Spanish solicitor to see if there was anything we could do.
The solicitor said that the ticket had been issued because the person was under 1.75 meters tall and did not have the required booster seat.
This was also incredible, because at no time did the Policia ask to see the size of the boy in the back, who was 14 years old!!
She told us that we would have to go to Madrid to appeal and that it was our word against the Guardia Civil. She said if I was you I would just pay because the chances of winning were very slim.
She also pointed out that the Guardia Civil Trafico earn commission for the tickets they issue!! How many people know that!!??
Andrew
Thread:
Bandits in Green Uniforms
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