British motorists planning to drive in Europe this summer have been warned they could face fines of up to £340 for exceeding the speed limit by just a few miles per hour. According to carVertical, Denmark has Europe's harshest speeding penalties.
Drivers caught travelling between 7mph and 9mph over the limit risk a €402 penalty, equivalent to around £340. The warning comes as many holidaymakers forget that speed limits and enforcement vary between countries.
Matas Buzelis, automotive specialist at carVertical, said: "People heading off on holiday often forget that speed limits vary country to country – and so do the consequences. You might only be doing a few miles per hour over the limit, but in places like Denmark or Switzerland, that can cost more than your entire weekend away."
Buzelis also cautioned that fines do not simply disappear: "If you're in a rental car, they'll chase you down - and add admin fees on top. If you're driving your own vehicle, some countries are now sharing data and will follow up once you're back in the UK."
The research from Travel Republic also revealed that Britons waste £794 million each year on avoidable last-minute costs, including forgotten sun cream and emergency passport applications. Over a third of Brits forget to buy sun cream before flying, paying £35 at airport duty-free compared to around £5 on the high street.
