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fallyhag
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Joined: Jun 23, 2005
Posts: 21
Location: Hampshire
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 Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:59 am Post subject: Watch out - The German Police will confiscate, or fine you!! |
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Did you know, your dtabase is not welcome in Germany?
This info is taken from the "Strassenverkehrsordnung" (German Highway Code). It basically says that you are not allowed to operate or even transport any kind of warning or information system of speed cameras in your car, especially if operated in connection with GPS systems.
They do not mention confiscation (but the latest ADAC magazine does) but there is a fine of 75 Euros and 4 points in Flensburg on your licence if you get caught in Germany.
Fine catalogue Nr. 109a (valid as of 01.03.2002): "If, as a driver, you operate a technical item or carry it in an operating status, which is used to show traffic monitoring measures or to disturb/distort traffic monitoring - 75 Euros fine.
There are hundreds of forums in Germany about this subject. One I found was discussing the GPS fine thing and one entry was by a police man saying " yep, this law is correct and I have just fined someone! Ha ha!"
I thought I would mention it in this forum just in case you happen to be going that way for the World Cup in 2006.
Happy travelling  |
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Andy_P
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 19991
Location: West and Southwest London
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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Pedant's corner....
Going by the letter of what's said above, does that mean your TomTom is even illegal in Germany if it has got *UK* cameras on it?
Sounds daft, but I wouldn't put it past the police... |
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Gwyn
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Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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| I think that you will find that it is not only Germany where it is illegal, but also France and many other countries in Europe. |
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Adek
Regular Visitor
Joined: Dec 01, 2005
Posts: 70
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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I knew that the Radar units like snooper were not allowed in france and germany, but the sat nav systems is news to me.
better be careful then I guess. I would suppose that just having uk cameras loaded may be enough to show that there was no intention of using the sat nav in such a way in those countries. |
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Gwyn
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Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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| I go over there three/four times a year and work on the basis that if I don't have any cameras listed (except uk) then I should not have a problem. There is a French Web Site that lists the French cameras but of course knowing and then remembering where they are is not that easy. |
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MikeOnABike
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Joined: Dec 07, 2005
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| Couldn't one just turn the monitoring off when stopped by the polizei? |
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Gwyn
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Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:27 am Post subject: |
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| You could, but if they check the unit and find the camera data base, then the chances are that they would assume that it is being used - otherwise why would it be on the unit. |
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Naomi
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Joined: Dec 07, 2005
Posts: 49
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Gwyn wrote: | | You could, but if they check the unit and find the camera data base, then the chances are that they would assume that it is being used - otherwise why would it be on the unit. |
I am not an expert on these things, but I suspect what you need is a bit of subterfuge:
Might it be possible to change all the bitmaps and the references to cameras, and replace them by something else. If your database seemed to be showing the locations of say Japanese Maple Trees or known locations of common toad breeding grounds, and this was supported by text and appropriate bitmaps, it might fools some of the German Cops. Maybe not all of them but would they have the time to analyse what was really there? Obviously satnav is legal in Germany, and I assume databases of fuel stations etc etc.
Go on! You KNOW that tree is trying to photograph you!!
Obviously you would each have to have your own specialist subject so as to not alert them too obviously. And remember Mr Toad in W.I.T.W. had a somewhat dubious driving record ;-)
Nao |
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Gwyn
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Joined: Aug 09, 2005
Posts: 26
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Your idea would probably work, but would it be worth all trouble. I will let you try it first. |
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Naomi
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Joined: Dec 07, 2005
Posts: 49
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Gwyn wrote: | | Your idea would probably work, but would it be worth all trouble. I will let you try it first. |
Thanks, I am not due to go to Germany for quite a while, and even then  I am not too sure that the Airbus will need it.
There are geeks around to whom the idea would not be too much trouble. Sort of thing in which they revel. They are welcome to any credit they get for the hard work, I just did the easy bit.
Nao |
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MikeOnABike
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Joined: Dec 07, 2005
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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| No, I think simply suggesting the police get a warrant before they look at your GPS should suffice. |
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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| MikeOnABike wrote: | | No, I think simply suggesting the police get a warrant before they look at your GPS should suffice. |
You've obviously never dealt with the GDP then!
_________________
Darren Griffin |
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Wannabyourhero
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Sep 12, 2005
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| Germany today - UK tomorrow. If that's the law in other parts of the EU then we'll soon be singing from the same hymn sheet. Better get the geeks working on the Japanese Maple Tree idea. |
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MikeOnABike
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Joined: Dec 07, 2005
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Darren wrote: | | MikeOnABike wrote: | | No, I think simply suggesting the police get a warrant before they look at your GPS should suffice. |
You've obviously never dealt with the GDP then! |
No I haven't. I've dealt with their type before though - don't mention the war, I know my rights, damned eurocrats, jackboots, invading poland etc. etc.  |
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MikeyF
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Joined: May 27, 2005
Posts: 175
Location: Cardiff
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| Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:25 pm Post subject: Beating the police |
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Surely the easiest way would be to have a second sd/memory card. Then if you get stopped just switch sd cards as the dumb copper is walking to your car.
Not forgetting to place the memory card with the camers' under your seat or somewhere out of sight. Not on your person !!! just incase you get arrested, where by you might have to turn out your pockets.
Don't forget it's our general god given right to work out ways around these stupid laws. For the powers that be to try and pass another law to stop you !!!
Mikey |
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