UK couple left stranded afer speeding violation in Spain

A recent incident involving British tourists forced to forfeit their car when they were unable to produce on-the-spot cash to pay for a speeding fine, has unearthed sharp criticism from British expats living in Spain.

The tourist couple was driving through Spain in their hire car, when they were stopped by local police for exceeding speed limits. The police allegedly demanded that the pair pay the 98-euro fine in cash, on the spot.

As the tourists only had 50 euros between them, they offered to hand over their credit cards, but this plea fell on deaf ears. The hapless tourists could only watch as their car was towed away, and then had to make an expensive journey using public transport to reclaim their car. The journey to retrieve the towed car cost them more than the fine itself—180 euros. It took the couple seven hours to complete the journey.

Despite friendly locals in the area trying to help by speaking with the officers, the police decided to tow the car away, leaving the couple stranded.

After speaking with local British expats, the couple found that it is becoming commonplace for police to target car hire drivers in this manner.