They pretend to break down and lurk for compassionate drivers. Speculators also work on our roads.
They stop you on the road, stop on the highway, or find you in a rest area. Also this summer, men on older audits or Mercedes cars with German license plates appeared on our roads. The police also have experience with them. The last one was solved only this week.
"Most often, they simulate a failure and try to appeal to the compassion of the drivers passing by. However, when they see a police patrol, they try to escape quickly," explains Police Vice President Ľubomír Ábel.
Most of them are Romanian citizens. "They often speak the Slovak language, or they speak English or German. For example, they worked in neighboring Austria, where they were printed, so they also go to other countries seasonally," said the police chief.
Different tricks
Their tricks are different. In the past, according to Abel, it was a hit to stop the drivers and convince them that it was just from their car that a stone flew, which damaged the windshield. However, insurance companies have already thwarted this by changing the rules. Now there is an effort to sell worthless jewelry or rob a victim.
"Sometimes they pretend to break down and try to lure money for repair and return them later. Or they try to sell worthless things under the guise of being gold, yet they are of worthless metal.
It may also happen that one crew member is entertaining you and the other is stealing your wallet or things you have in your passenger seat," says the police vice president.
The patrols trained
According to him, the patrols of the traffic, highway or toll police were trained for these entrepreneurs before the start of the tourist season.
"They also shift information between themselves if they occur, they can quickly eliminate it," he says.
Speculators are often reported actively by drivers. They are also reported by transport services. "If they simulate a breakdown on the highway, a patrol is called and the costs incurred can ultimately be personalized," says Abel.
Right on the highway, a similar team met a traffic expert Jozef Drahovský.
They give away fines
According to him, such action is very dangerous, especially on expressways. Drahovský even sees a gross violation of the Road Traffic Act.
"As for other roads, it's a problem because there is a delay. Some drivers know who they are and want to pass as soon as possible, others do not know and want to help, and so there are collisions," says the expert.
In such cases, police officers distribute fines for traffic violations. 'Braking' is a traffic offense, as well as a missing triangle or a reflective vest at the point of vehicle failure.
"If there is a suspicion of fraud, such persons are shown and acted by an authorized officer, depending on how the act qualifies, whether it is an offense under the Act on Offenses or a crime," adds Abel.
If you meet speculators while traveling, the police chief recommends not to stop and call 158.
"Slow down but not stop, especially if there is low traffic and call the police immediately in critical hours."
It is also important to note the color and color of the vehicle. "Many people already have a camera. In such a case, I recommend keeping the record in case of taking evidence," recalls Abel.
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