British Couple Issue Spanish Car Hire Warning
Posted on November 03, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard
- Image by Wayan Vota via Flickr
Picture the scene. You’re going on a day trip to Benidorm in your shiny rental car. You’ve remembered your keys, your map and your sunblock…but have you packed enough cash?
That’s what a British couple wished they’d asked last week when they found themselves stranded at the side of a Spanish road after failing to come up with enough money to pay a speeding fine.
Chris and Susan Troughton had their rental car impounded when they were fined 98 Euro for speeding but had just 50 Euro in their wallets.
The couple were left shaken after police officers rejected offers by fellow travellers to pay their fine. Mr Troughton even tried to track down a cash machine in a local shop but was prevented from doing so by police officers.
It gets worse. The couple ended up splashing out on a train ticket and two taxis to reach the compound, which they found was locked up when they arrived.
Their case is not unique however. The Troughtons have since been contacted by fellow ex-pats who say it is common for other drivers to remove Spanish car hire stickers from their vehicles in case they get caught up in a similar situation.
It’s safe to say the couple have learnt two important lessons:
A) Don’t Speed
B)Â Always Carry Emergency Funds
About the Author: Fiona likes to travel – especially to cities. Her favourites include: New York, London, Copenhagen, Madrid and Lisbon.
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