Narva resident gets speeding fine reduced by court

Viru County Court has partially upheld the complaint of a 40-year-old Narva resident who received a maximum fine from the police for speeding in a temporary restriction zone. The court reduced the penalty from €720 (90 penalty units) to €480 (60 penalty units) and permitted payment in installments over six months.

The incident occurred on March 13, 2026, at approximately 12:50 PM on the 8th kilometer of the Narva–Auvere road. A patrol from the Ida Prefecture recorded a Volkswagen Passat traveling at 91 km/h; accounting for measuring device tolerance, the actual speed was 88 km/h. The section had a temporary speed limit of 50 km/h due to forestry work, meaning the driver exceeded the limit by 38 km/h.

The police classified the violation as a gross speeding offense and imposed the maximum fine of €720 (90 penalty units). The driver did not deny the offense but requested a reduction, explaining that he noticed the temporary road sign late because the roadwork machinery was a considerable distance away. He also emphasized that the €720 fine would be an excessive financial burden for his family: his monthly income is roughly €850, and he has a small child at home.

The court deemed the violation intentional but considered the original fine excessive and acknowledged several mitigating factors. Dashcam footage showed that the driver had already reduced his speed just before entering the work zone. Additionally, the man had no prior violations, fully admitted guilt, and showed genuine remorse. The court also took into account the family's difficult financial situation, allowing a more lenient payment plan.

Ultimately, the court amended the police decision and lowered the fine from the initial €720 (90 units) to €480 (60 units). Furthermore, the driver was permitted to pay the amount in monthly installments of at least €80 over six months. The ruling has entered into force.