Russian journalist Pyotr Lidov has revealed he received heavy traffic fines in Switzerland after speeding and cutting off other motorists on European roads.
Speaking on a Radio Sputnik broadcast shared on the VKontakte social network, Lidov explained that upon arriving in the country, he was initially surprised by how cautiously local residents drove their cars.
Lidov admitted he continued driving his vehicle the way he was accustomed to in Russia, routinely exceeding speed limits and swerving past other motorists. Shortly after, he was hit with an initial fine of around 200 Swiss francs, followed by a second speeding penalty of 1,000 francs.
The journalist joked that receiving the costly citations instantly turned him into a cautious Swiss driver on the road, adding with irony that he still retained a Russian driving mentality deep down in his soul.
Strict Swiss road enforcement
Switzerland is recognized internationally for enforcing some of Europe's strictest traffic safety laws. Speed limits across Swiss highways and municipal roads are monitored by extensive networks of automated cameras, with fines escalating sharply for repeated or high-speed infractions.
The country uses the Swiss franc as its official currency. Traffic violations in Switzerland can result in substantial monetary penalties, and severe speeding offenses may even be tied to a driver's personal income level under Swiss law.
Radio Sputnik is an international talk and news radio station operated by the Russian state media group Rossiya Segodnya. VKontakte, widely known as VK, serves as Russia's main social network where media outlets routinely publish full recordings of radio and television broadcasts.
Previous media commentary
The discussion about his driving experience in Europe is not the first time Lidov has attracted attention for commenting on foreign media coverage. He previously expressed surprise at reports published in foreign news outlets claiming that Russia suffered from a complete lack of electricity.
At the time, the journalist lightheartedly poked fun at the claims during a broadcast, jokingly characterizing the fake reports as content not intended for the faint of heart.
