Another speeding in France thread........
Discussion
Well I'm Useless by name useless by nature. I just arrived back from France last night after a 2 hour delay by the Gendarme of Valognes outside of Cherbourg after been stopped for 169km/h in 110km/h. Yes a 750€ fine and 6 month ban.
• Radar in Saint-Mere Eglise
• Motorbike pursuit two exits further north. (I noticed him riding across the bridge and slowed to the limit and knew he was looking for me)
• Processing Van two exits further north.
I would have to say they were all very accommodating. Told me straight I was traveling too fast and tried to process the documentation as quickly as they could so I could catch the Ferry (and get me out of the country). They re-wrote the documentation out in English and gave me back my license.
Some interesting facts.
They told me I have three options.
1. Attend court in person.
2. Allow an advocate attend for me
3. Or not attend.
The police said the first two I may get back some money as the 750€ is only a “bail money”. – Unlikely with the new laws coming in on the 1st September
The car would have been impounded until the court date 11 weeks away unless I didn’t pay in cash the full amount.
I was given two radar readings one measured at 178km/h and an actual of 169km/h.
My thoughts :- The fine stings no doubt about it. It is a deterrent. The decision to speed was mine and I was caught, simple as that.
• Radar in Saint-Mere Eglise
• Motorbike pursuit two exits further north. (I noticed him riding across the bridge and slowed to the limit and knew he was looking for me)
• Processing Van two exits further north.
I would have to say they were all very accommodating. Told me straight I was traveling too fast and tried to process the documentation as quickly as they could so I could catch the Ferry (and get me out of the country). They re-wrote the documentation out in English and gave me back my license.
Some interesting facts.
They told me I have three options.
1. Attend court in person.
2. Allow an advocate attend for me
3. Or not attend.
The police said the first two I may get back some money as the 750€ is only a “bail money”. – Unlikely with the new laws coming in on the 1st September
The car would have been impounded until the court date 11 weeks away unless I didn’t pay in cash the full amount.
I was given two radar readings one measured at 178km/h and an actual of 169km/h.
My thoughts :- The fine stings no doubt about it. It is a deterrent. The decision to speed was mine and I was caught, simple as that.
Edited by Useless on Monday 22 August 17:41
Just back from the west coast of France - about 650 miles to the Chunnel and then to Redditch.
Having read this thread before leaving, we just left ourselves plenty of time and set the cruise at the legal limit whilst in France. I didn't see one single speed trap the entire time which was frustrating (that I didn't go faster) but the effect of sitting at the limit and not having to watch out for Gendarmes was quite relaxing - a feeling I am unfamilar with (as I usually blast everywhere).
If I was in a sporty car on a car-based tour (rather than my wife's massive ML loaded with bikes a mahoosive roofbox, on a family holiday), I doubt I could cruise everywhere - I'd have to let the car have it's legs. I guess you just take a lot of cash with you and keep your eyes open.
Having read this thread before leaving, we just left ourselves plenty of time and set the cruise at the legal limit whilst in France. I didn't see one single speed trap the entire time which was frustrating (that I didn't go faster) but the effect of sitting at the limit and not having to watch out for Gendarmes was quite relaxing - a feeling I am unfamilar with (as I usually blast everywhere).
If I was in a sporty car on a car-based tour (rather than my wife's massive ML loaded with bikes a mahoosive roofbox, on a family holiday), I doubt I could cruise everywhere - I'd have to let the car have it's legs. I guess you just take a lot of cash with you and keep your eyes open.
I just don't speed in France/Belgium anymore, after having to hand over about 500 euros for doing exactly twice the speed limit on an autoroute about 6 years ago. Quite a big Police debate at the scene amongst about 6 cops (who were very polite), but no ban and allowed to continue. Might have been Belgium, cannot recall exactly
Just came back a few days ago, having done Cannes-Calais in around 10.5 hours. Just sat on cruise control at GPS 137kph all the way, roads very empty and a delightfully easy journey. We have the french peage toll-badge so no delays there (many now allow you to drive through at 30kph). However, we passed about 12 cameras and two handheld radar traps. It'd just not worth risking the hours delay of being stopped, to drive at an extra 10-15kph.
Great comparison between Germany and France is a few years back when driving a Porsche GT2 to the 'ring, with another in convoy, we got stalked by French cops for about 20 miles. They would pull alongside us for a few miles, then pull off, but re-enter the road and then catchup again. Did this three times, then we passed a hidden laser trap a few miles later. Just carried on at a strict 130kph on near empty autoroutes all the way to the German border. Hit Germany and within a mile we were doing 315kph legally.
I was also stopped a couple of years back in Germany having been doing about 310kph in convoy with a friend (me Alpina B5, him 997GT3). The German police said they were looking for drivers who were on a Gumball type rally that was on that week. Once they established we weren't, they let me go, but just asked me poitely to keep the speed down a bit.
Just came back a few days ago, having done Cannes-Calais in around 10.5 hours. Just sat on cruise control at GPS 137kph all the way, roads very empty and a delightfully easy journey. We have the french peage toll-badge so no delays there (many now allow you to drive through at 30kph). However, we passed about 12 cameras and two handheld radar traps. It'd just not worth risking the hours delay of being stopped, to drive at an extra 10-15kph.
Great comparison between Germany and France is a few years back when driving a Porsche GT2 to the 'ring, with another in convoy, we got stalked by French cops for about 20 miles. They would pull alongside us for a few miles, then pull off, but re-enter the road and then catchup again. Did this three times, then we passed a hidden laser trap a few miles later. Just carried on at a strict 130kph on near empty autoroutes all the way to the German border. Hit Germany and within a mile we were doing 315kph legally.
I was also stopped a couple of years back in Germany having been doing about 310kph in convoy with a friend (me Alpina B5, him 997GT3). The German police said they were looking for drivers who were on a Gumball type rally that was on that week. Once they established we weren't, they let me go, but just asked me poitely to keep the speed down a bit.
With these large fines and bans on driving in France, what's the affect to your license in the UK? From reading through the thread it would seem that points don't get carried across, but would a ban abroad not affect your UK insurance?
Will def. be being careful next time I'm heading across to Le Mans!
Will def. be being careful next time I'm heading across to Le Mans!
Well I'm now recently returned from a (most enjoyable) 2200 mile trip to the South of France and I only saw 1 Police car and a couple of bikes on the Autoroute.
Set the cruise control to a tad over 80mph (GPS) and relaxed the whole way. The only car I saw pulled was a Belgian registered BMW that passed me at around 100mph on the A26, so they were there but didn't catch me (this time).
I did notice though that travelling at a true 80-85mph there was very little overtaking me and almost all those that did were Belgian, German, English or Italian. Nothing like the 'good old days' but in these times of austerity I was concentrating on MPG and managed a respectable 47mpg overall in the Wife's 'bus'.
Vive la France...
Set the cruise control to a tad over 80mph (GPS) and relaxed the whole way. The only car I saw pulled was a Belgian registered BMW that passed me at around 100mph on the A26, so they were there but didn't catch me (this time).
I did notice though that travelling at a true 80-85mph there was very little overtaking me and almost all those that did were Belgian, German, English or Italian. Nothing like the 'good old days' but in these times of austerity I was concentrating on MPG and managed a respectable 47mpg overall in the Wife's 'bus'.
Vive la France...
Just got back from French Alps - cruise set at indicated 160, no trouble at all from les flics. Set off a couple of scammeras, although most are handily signposted so easy to avoid (must have been daydreaming for the two that caught me). Eurotunnel was wonderfully efficient - I arrived at checkin 6:50, was driving on UK soil at 6:55.
Sat in Le Havre posting this in 22°C - windy though - the crossing should be interesting!
Since 23rd I have clocked up 2200 miles, and seen only three mobile speed traps - the biggest in Toulouse, where they were monitoring a hill, and 200 metres away were marshalling all those spotted into an exit, where 12 French vehicles were waiting to be processed by 2 officers!
The others were just bike cops with the radar out checking passing cars, with no customers.
On the A13, at 60mph was passed by loads of Brits and Belgians well in excess of the 130KPH limit - asking for trouble, as they are trialling SPECS on that route, - no tickets yet, but if they see lots of speeding, they may well roll out the real thing!
Some epic fails seen around France, will post up a pic or two when I get back for your amusement!
Since 23rd I have clocked up 2200 miles, and seen only three mobile speed traps - the biggest in Toulouse, where they were monitoring a hill, and 200 metres away were marshalling all those spotted into an exit, where 12 French vehicles were waiting to be processed by 2 officers!
The others were just bike cops with the radar out checking passing cars, with no customers.
On the A13, at 60mph was passed by loads of Brits and Belgians well in excess of the 130KPH limit - asking for trouble, as they are trialling SPECS on that route, - no tickets yet, but if they see lots of speeding, they may well roll out the real thing!
Some epic fails seen around France, will post up a pic or two when I get back for your amusement!
We just returned from a trip from the Lake district to Bezier in the S West of France, only saw one speed 'control' on the way down and none at all on the way back.
We did however see 3 in one afternoon all in the same stretch of motorway between Bezier and Nimes (all in same direction).
Find its very easy to set the cruise at around 80mph and have a relaxing journey. Most of the people who pass us seem to be Belgians or Germans. The French do seem to mostly obey the speed limits on the autoroutes.
We did however see 3 in one afternoon all in the same stretch of motorway between Bezier and Nimes (all in same direction).
Find its very easy to set the cruise at around 80mph and have a relaxing journey. Most of the people who pass us seem to be Belgians or Germans. The French do seem to mostly obey the speed limits on the autoroutes.
Took the M3 over to France last weekend, near Lyon, set cruise to 100mph there and back and no problems.
I haven't driven abroad for ages, so nice to drive hour on hour without any holdups. Wife wasn't too happy with the pay station 0-100mph sprints, fun though.
Anyone caught in France with a radar/laser detector ?
I haven't driven abroad for ages, so nice to drive hour on hour without any holdups. Wife wasn't too happy with the pay station 0-100mph sprints, fun though.
Anyone caught in France with a radar/laser detector ?
Mill Wheel said:
Some epic fails seen around France, will post up a pic or two when I get back for your amusement!
Woman attempts to drive into a road blocked by a barrier with a No Entry sign on it... Traffic on the road behind, so she attempts to move the barrier and drive in, but is stopped by vehicles leaving the street market.
Scared of reversing out - and with no support from drivers behind, she is eventually rescued by the arrival of local police.
Having stopped the traffic, the police beckon her out - only to be thwarted by a bus driver who attempts to drive past the police officer (a female officer, now having words with the bus driver in this picture!).
They made the bus reverse back into the stop he was trying to exit.
Nobody got booked, but the bus driver got a tongue lashing for his part!
Nothing changes much, even abroad. All could have been resolved by simple politeness and consideration for other road users!
stuttgartmetal said:
Thats the trouble with the French. Their French, aint they.
Somebody told me they were all foreigners! 
What is it with the French and roundabouts?
I watched a driving school lesson in progress on a short STRAIGHT track - looked like practicing clutch control when setting off.
I seriously wanted to go and have words about the roundabout thing!
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