Received traffic citation whilst in America

mjt · 13 May 2010 at 13:39

If they stop you and make you pay on the spot, then you pay.
If not, **** it.

We've been receving a letter about twice a year since 2001 from British Columbia concerning a speeding ticket and we've been back to Canada since.

Dark_Angel · 13 May 2010 at 13:40

Pay it, you broke their law. If you don't plan to return, you still should, but it's less likely to effect you.

snowdog · 13 May 2010 at 13:41

JonRohan said:
He broke a US law in the US. Not a US law in the UK.

Just pay the fine and grow some.

So what, he lives and is in the UK.

Just don't pay the fine and spend the money on something nice instead of paying tax errr a fine to the government of the US.

Dunks · 13 May 2010 at 13:47

snowdog said:
So what, he lives and is in the UK.

Just don't pay the fine and spend the money on something nice instead of paying tax errr a fine to the government of the US.

So because he lives in the UK it's fine to break the law in the US?

Be back a minute, just off to stab you in the face then fly back to the UK. Hey, I live in the UK so it's all good, right?

Domi · 13 May 2010 at 14:16

Getting through immigration in to America is bad enough as it is the thought that you might get turned back at a US airport would deter me from not paying it. Anybody thinking that sounds ridiculous has not met USA immigration staff, I was nearly turned away for writing "Fly Drive" as where I was staying as we had not pre booked a hotel.

Greenlizard0 · 13 May 2010 at 14:30

Thanks to ze terrorists I imagine there's an entire ready to use network and system out there for catching them (of course, at our expense).

They haven't of course, really been that successful with it, but an easier target with a smaller offence is just what is needed to help keep those coffers lined (a bit like how effective our Gatso's are here). No doubt Interpol will use one of the billion CCTV cameras we have to track him down.

I'd go to the American embassy, get on your knees and start praying to the clay Ronald McDonald outside. Stick an American flag up where you are, and a few candles just incase it gets dark.

Serious answer is to pay it off if you're planning to return there. It'd probably out of the system in a while. The yanks aren't a nation of great drivers.

Dj_Jestar · 13 May 2010 at 14:31

snowdog said:
So what, he lives and is in the UK.

Just don't pay the fine and spend the money on something nice instead of paying tax errr a fine to the government of the US.

No personal attacks

int · 13 May 2010 at 14:46

snowdog said:
So what, he lives and is in the UK.

Just don't pay the fine and spend the money on something nice instead of paying tax errr a fine to the government of the US.

No personal attacks

willhub · 13 May 2010 at 14:50

Deffo pay it, to not is silly.

Freefaller · 13 May 2010 at 14:58

Snowdog, you really are being rather ignorant on the situation - I take it you've never been to the US or had any experience of the US immigration service?

Something like this will come up and bite the OP is the arse if he doesn't pay. Clearly they have a record of who it is.

There may be a delay in the payment owing to the fact that he's back in the UK, but that shouldn't mean he shouldn't pay it. He was caught breaking a law in the country where he was visiting and must face up the consequences. It'll cause the OP more issues if he doesn't.

PermaChanged · 13 May 2010 at 15:01

snowdog said:
So what, he lives and is in the UK.

Just don't pay the fine and spend the money on something nice instead of paying tax errr a fine to the government of the US.

Are you foolish enough to truely believe that because he lives in the UK he is exempt from US laws?

Kutter · 13 May 2010 at 15:11

If you dont pay it you may find that when you next try to enter the US, you might get arrested at immigration. If a police officer issued the fine you should pay it, not risk it.

snowdog · 13 May 2010 at 15:11

DunK1 said:
So because he lives in the UK it's fine to break the law in the US?

Be back a minute, just off to stab you in the face then fly back to the UK. Hey, I live in the UK so it's all good, right?

We are talking about an infraction, not a felony.

Snowdog, you really are being rather ignorant on the situation - I take it you've never been to the US or had any experience of the US immigration service?

Something like this will come up and bite the OP is the arse if he doesn't pay. Clearly they have a record of who it is.

There may be a delay in the payment owing to the fact that he's back in the UK, but that shouldn't mean he shouldn't pay it. He was caught breaking a law in the country where he was visiting and must face up the consequences. It'll cause the OP more issues if he doesn't.

Even if he wouldn't ever return there?

Are you foolish enough to truely believe that because he lives in the UK he is exempt from US laws?

Yes, now that he is back in the UK. What are they going to do, send the CIA to his home ?

PermaChanged · 13 May 2010 at 15:13

snowdog said:
Yes, now that he is back in the UK. What are they going to do, send the CIA to his home ?

I asked whether you believed he was exempt from the law, not what actions the US would take regarding the matter. If you are actually saying "Yes" to whether his exempt then more fool you.

snowdog · 13 May 2010 at 15:14

Rusty_Noob said:
I asked whether you believed he was exempt from the law, not what actions the US would take regarding the matter.

He is exempt from UK law. Not from US law, but I wouldn't see that as a problem ?

Freefaller · 13 May 2010 at 15:15

Why would you want that hanging over you? If the OP needs to go back to the US (who knows if he ever does) is it worth it?

Sure they may not chase him up in the UK - but the hire company may want to reclaim it's costs. If a hire car company gets enough fines from customers to pay off it'll start to chase up repayments from it's customers.

Ultimately he may well have to pay the fine anyway - why drag it out and put an infringement on his name? It's very short sighted to assume he may never go back to the US.

willhub · 13 May 2010 at 15:15

He has not even said he would not return to the US in the future........

=VTA=MANFACE · 13 May 2010 at 15:21

I have a relative who is a cop in New York and he says pay it, or they will apply irregular rendition.

Burnsy2023 · 13 May 2010 at 15:22

Freefaller said:
Why would you want that hanging over you? If the OP needs to go back to the US (who knows if he ever does) is it worth it?

Sure they may not chase him up in the UK - but the hire company may want to reclaim it's costs. If a hire car company gets enough fines from customers to pay off it'll start to chase up repayments from it's customers.

Ultimately he may well have to pay the fine anyway - why drag it out and put an infringement on his name? It's very short sighted to assume he may never go back to the US.

I doubt they'd reclaim the fine here, it'd be simply not be cost effective. That said, I'd pay it just because I'd never want to rule out not returning.

snowdog · 13 May 2010 at 15:22

Freefaller said:
Why would you want that hanging over you? If the OP needs to go back to the US (who knows if he ever does) is it worth it?

Perhaps not, but I'd rather look for more cases and try to read up on their system than simply pay.

Sure they may not chase him up in the UK - but the hire company may want to reclaim it's costs. If a hire car company gets enough fines from customers to pay off it'll start to chase up repayments from it's customers.

Ultimately he may well have to pay the fine anyway - why drag it out and put an infringement on his name? It's very short sighted to assume he may never go back to the US.

That would be the OP's own fault if it's in the hire contract.
If it isn't, and IF he doesn't plan on going back there, there is no way he has to pay this.

or they will apply irregular rendition.

You are taking the **** aren't you ? For petty crime?