Another speeding in France thread........
Discussion
I'm currently in the Dordogne, new Saab 9-5 (haven't seen another!) with tow bar bike carrier as already mentioned. Stuck the cruise on, on the Autoroute at about 135 and left it there. Really no need to go any quicker, especially with all the extra weight hanging out at the back. Done over 1500km so far and seen very few Flik so far . . .
Did get pulled about three years ago though, few kph from having licence taken away for a while, €90 fine and carry on.
Did get pulled about three years ago though, few kph from having licence taken away for a while, €90 fine and carry on.
Got pulled by an unmarked Citroen on the way from Lyon to Nice.
Unfortunately a naughty overtake across a single unbroken central line. Line was unjustified imo and the overtake perfectly safe. Delightful irony as the majority of overtakes I see by French drivers in 'legal' areas are very dubious and risky.
Had the cash on me but was given a lift down to the police station, gf had to wait in the car. 90 Euros, they were very reasonable and I of course explained that in the UK we have doubles in the centre that one shouldn't cross. After that was done, they gave me a lift back to the car and I was on my way.
Must admit, we made 'good' progress on the French A roads, I'd say a decent 10-20% above the posted limits. Never got a pull for speeding. Saw one speed trap, Sat morning on an absolutely straight road. No justification for the location, simple money making imo.
The French really do stick to the limits, especially in towns (50km/h). When there is a sign stating speed cameras, there really is!
Unfortunately a naughty overtake across a single unbroken central line. Line was unjustified imo and the overtake perfectly safe. Delightful irony as the majority of overtakes I see by French drivers in 'legal' areas are very dubious and risky.
Had the cash on me but was given a lift down to the police station, gf had to wait in the car. 90 Euros, they were very reasonable and I of course explained that in the UK we have doubles in the centre that one shouldn't cross. After that was done, they gave me a lift back to the car and I was on my way.
Must admit, we made 'good' progress on the French A roads, I'd say a decent 10-20% above the posted limits. Never got a pull for speeding. Saw one speed trap, Sat morning on an absolutely straight road. No justification for the location, simple money making imo.
The French really do stick to the limits, especially in towns (50km/h). When there is a sign stating speed cameras, there really is!
Im currently in france for the week, first time ive driven here, i have to say the limits do change very often with little or no warning, but i saw my first police car today, been here since thursday! The drive down the a10 to poitiers was fine (wet road, 110 cruise all the way) and the service stations are fantastic! Will be crusing at 90 on the d338 on thursday
It seems to me that too many Brtis have got too cocky about speed limits. They rely on SatNav camera warnings and speed when the SatNav doesn't indicate any threat - because the chances of encountering a police speed trap in the UK these days are actually pretty slim.
Well, guess what you d*ckheads! In other countries they set a speed limit and you can expect to be pulled if you exceed it. Tough $hit if you don't understand that. The limits are clearly posted and there's no excuse for busting them. If you've left too late for the ferry or tunnel, you've only got yourselves to blame.
Yes, you'll say that I'm a boring old so-and-so if I don't break the limits. I love to drive fast and German autobahns provide that opportunity. But all others have limits; as guests in their countries we should give them the respect they deserve. Driving from Dunkerque to Brussels, the only idiots speeding past are invariably Brits - although the Belgians prefer to sit in formation 1 metre off your rear bumper irrespective of speed....
Well, guess what you d*ckheads! In other countries they set a speed limit and you can expect to be pulled if you exceed it. Tough $hit if you don't understand that. The limits are clearly posted and there's no excuse for busting them. If you've left too late for the ferry or tunnel, you've only got yourselves to blame.
Yes, you'll say that I'm a boring old so-and-so if I don't break the limits. I love to drive fast and German autobahns provide that opportunity. But all others have limits; as guests in their countries we should give them the respect they deserve. Driving from Dunkerque to Brussels, the only idiots speeding past are invariably Brits - although the Belgians prefer to sit in formation 1 metre off your rear bumper irrespective of speed....
nickwilcock said:
It seems to me that too many Brtis have got too cocky about speed limits. They rely on SatNav camera warnings and speed when the SatNav doesn't indicate any threat - because the chances of encountering a police speed trap in the UK these days are actually pretty slim.
Well, guess what you d*ckheads! In other countries they set a speed limit and you can expect to be pulled if you exceed it. Tough $hit if you don't understand that. The limits are clearly posted and there's no excuse for busting them. If you've left too late for the ferry or tunnel, you've only got yourselves to blame.
Yes, you'll say that I'm a boring old so-and-so if I don't break the limits. I love to drive fast and German autobahns provide that opportunity. But all others have limits; as guests in their countries we should give them the respect they deserve. Driving from Dunkerque to Brussels, the only idiots speeding past are invariably Brits - although the Belgians prefer to sit in formation 1 metre off your rear bumper irrespective of speed....
Ahh.....To be whiter than white eh!Well, guess what you d*ckheads! In other countries they set a speed limit and you can expect to be pulled if you exceed it. Tough $hit if you don't understand that. The limits are clearly posted and there's no excuse for busting them. If you've left too late for the ferry or tunnel, you've only got yourselves to blame.
Yes, you'll say that I'm a boring old so-and-so if I don't break the limits. I love to drive fast and German autobahns provide that opportunity. But all others have limits; as guests in their countries we should give them the respect they deserve. Driving from Dunkerque to Brussels, the only idiots speeding past are invariably Brits - although the Belgians prefer to sit in formation 1 metre off your rear bumper irrespective of speed....
If you manage to get off your extremely high steed at some point, then maybe you could add something constructive as opposed to your self righteous crap?
Balmoral Green said:
Lots of depressing stuff about driving in France...
I'm driving to the South of France next week, I used to drive to/through France at least yearly but not been for a while, is it really that bad now?Only ever got done once about 10yrs ago; 201kmh on the Autoroute - cost me £200, looks like that might get me an extended 'holiday' now!
Suppose I'll have to concentrate on MPG rather than MPH this time.
To assist me though I'll be driving the Wifes's diesel Citroen 7-seater which probably can't go fast enough to get me into any serious trouble (despite the cruise control being programmable to 156mph) wondered why it also has a programmable speed limiter function...
I've driven over 5000 miles in Europe this spring/summer, including over half of that in France. There are some well hidden traps on the autoroutes although if the oncoming traffic has spotted them, they are very good at flashing you. This got me out of trouble on a couple of occasions. I would avoid really high speeds on the autoroutes as the penalties could be very severe - I think doing over 160kph is going to land you in major bother.
Plenty of speed traps in towns and on the route nationales. Where you really want to go is the quiet D roads - very unlikely to encounter a trap and much more enjoyable to open up your motor....
Plenty of speed traps in towns and on the route nationales. Where you really want to go is the quiet D roads - very unlikely to encounter a trap and much more enjoyable to open up your motor....
catso said:
Balmoral Green said:
Lots of depressing stuff about driving in France...
I'm driving to the South of France next week, I used to drive to/through France at least yearly but not been for a while, is it really that bad now?Only ever got done once about 10yrs ago; 201kmh on the Autoroute - cost me £200, looks like that might get me an extended 'holiday' now!
Suppose I'll have to concentrate on MPG rather than MPH this time.
To assist me though I'll be driving the Wifes's diesel Citroen 7-seater which probably can't go fast enough to get me into any serious trouble (despite the cruise control being programmable to 156mph) wondered why it also has a programmable speed limiter function...
Also reducing the number of WARNING SIGNS
on the new sites, old had 2 or more very easy to either miss them or miscount them, cameras being sighted further back from roadside
^^^and now located to maximise use of natural cover ie between trees etc.^^^
Biggest problem IMO are the mobile traps set up purely for revenue [even more so] also watch out for the "dummy" followed a klick or so on by the real trap.
You can tell the "dummy" as it will have only two Gendarmes whilst the real trap will have many more around it.
Also the bloody police riders stop where they feel fit, once again a "good" bit of road for making progress leads to revenue collection.
Plus points are the general detestation of speed traps thus if you get flashed by a driver coming in the opposite direction slow down OR just be aware. Don't forget to return the compliment once you have passed the trap
http://english.controleradar.org/
Mo.
PS only ever saw one of these
in 3 1/2 years. NOTE rather conspicuous flash unit.
PPS this WAS a surprise though.
"La carte des radars "vitesse" en France
INFORMATION : suite aux décisions du Comité interministériel de la sécurité routière (CISR) du 11 mai 2011, il a été décidé de supprimer l’information sur la présence des radars fixes. La carte n’est donc plus consultable en ligne."
Basically they have decided to no longer supply information on fixed speed trap locations!!
Edited by Mojocvh on Thursday 11th August 02:46
frogspawn said:
Sorry to be a bit ot but I think you will find headlamp deflectors are required at all times whilst abroad.
I've seen this said in quite a few places - including a quick Google just now to see if I could find a useful reference - but it's completely wrong to say that deflectors are required.What's required is that you do not dazzle other road users.
Both my car and my motorcycle have headlamp adjustments that don't involve fitting deflectors, so I would bet good beer money on the fact that it's not an offence if you don't fit them.
It would, however, be an offence if I didn't adjust the headlights and then dazzled other road users.
Diamond blue said:
Carry at least 100 euros with you in cash at all times and DONT do more than 50kph above the limit EVER.
Wrong! The automatic ban limit is 40kmh over the limit, after applying a 5% "error correction". I know this for a reason.Balmoral Green said:
I would say DONT do more than 1kph above the limit EVER.
It has been changing in France year on year, to the point where you just cannot make progress anymore, anywhere, whether you are a local, or a tourist. <snip stuff>
Good post and it perfectly reflects my observations on driving in France nowadays. I've been driving in France for over 25 years now and spent several years living there - it's gone from excellent and speedy with the French being great drivers to very often a total pain in the arse where you are constantly watching the speedo.It has been changing in France year on year, to the point where you just cannot make progress anymore, anywhere, whether you are a local, or a tourist. <snip stuff>
Last year travelling to Spain with the OH a lovely drive got absolutely ruined by the ludicrous number of speedtraps, we were in a roof-down SL500 so pretty easy to spot, ended up getting followed all the time by coppers (in cars or on bikes), coppers hiding in bushes, behind walls - I've never seen anything like it. The stress was unbelievable. The problem is that the limits change so often too, and going into towns there is very often no posted limit - is it 50, 60, 70? Even now I don't know.
Things got so bad in the Chartres - Tours area that we diverted onto the autoroute (we usually go all the way to Spain on N roads). The other thing is that if you're British you've got f
k all chance of any leniency or a telling off - they will simply fine you. With this approach to road policing I hope the British government doesn't ever ratify the points transfer between states - British people who drive in France would never be able to get insured!IMO the UK (as long as you're not on some congested road) is now a lot better place to drive and make progress than France - for a start our traffic police are a lot more professional and use their judgement on nicking someone.
And don't even get me started on the number of speed bumps in France now!
Dog Star said:
The problem is that the limits change so often too, and going into towns there is very often no posted limit - is it 50, 60, 70? Even now I don't know.
If you enter a town/village, and the name of the town has a red border around the sign, it is a 50kph limit.
On the way out, the name will be repeated, with a red diagonal line, which means the limit returns to whatever it was before - very often with a 70kph advisory for 100 metres or so to discourage speeding up too soon.
frogspawn]iamond blue said:
Bulbs are not compulsory (But if any of your lights are not working you cannot drive the car) headlight deflectors are not compulsory.
Sorry to be a bit ot but I think you will find headlamp deflectors are required at all times whilst abroad.
As somebody else said above - not deflectors, just the ability to not dazzle oncoming traffic.Sorry to be a bit ot but I think you will find headlamp deflectors are required at all times whilst abroad.
My car has Xenon's and through the dash computer I can set my lights to "Continental" which flat-lines the beam.
So I no longer have a "kickup" to the left and dazzle - so no need for the deflectors.
The map with speed traps is available again after the government got under too much pressure from interested parties.
http://www.radars-auto.com/carte-radar/carte-franc...
Select a région to display the related map.
http://www.radars-auto.com/carte-radar/carte-franc...
Select a région to display the related map.
Mill Wheel said:
If you enter a town/village, and the name of the town has a red border around the sign, it is a 50kph limit.
On the way out, the name will be repeated, with a red diagonal line, which means the limit returns to whatever it was before - very often with a 70kph advisory for 100 metres or so to discourage speeding up too soon.
Ah, yes, but is this actually the definitive case? I treat these with extreme paranoia and 50 is what I do, but I think I might be erring on the side of caution.On the way out, the name will be repeated, with a red diagonal line, which means the limit returns to whatever it was before - very often with a 70kph advisory for 100 metres or so to discourage speeding up too soon.
I say this because on entering most towns on N roads there is an explicit 50 sign. Not always though - sometimes it's a 70. So what is it if no sign, 50? (which is what I assume). And if it is 5 by default why then do some have a 50 sign? Argh.
As an amusing aside - until last summer I have been driving round France (for 25 years!) under the mistaken belief that their NSL was 100kmh (ie. the same as ours). I never had cause to doubt this until last summer I slowed down to 100 for a speed camera and it went off. Only then did I find out it was 90
Balmoral Green said:
As for those who are still monstering it across France. I really don't know how you're getting away with it.
It ain't observance, because they are properly hidden, and I mean properly hidden.
My two pulls this last weekend, at first I didn't even realise it was me they wanted to stop, my reaction was "Me? WTF? I'm not even doing anything! I've been nicked once already and I've been good boy and been complying ever since!"
The elderly French couple in the Prius were properly pee'd off, and as for a bloody great motorhome towing a rib? Although one of the three Gendarmes, a younger bloke, did not look at all comfortable. I think it was a fluke location which they know will be good pickings where they could nick everyone, even those going really very very slowly.
I must admit that on the autoroutes I will travel up to 160 (in the 130 limit) and accept that if I get caught I'll get fined. Any faster and you're risking the ban - I got clocked at 180, which they do a 5% rounding down on (for error) which made it 171. You get banned for 40 over, so 170. For being 1kmh into the ban territory I thought that was a bit harsh - I'm pretty sure a UK copper would have simply said "lets call it 169" and issued a FPN. No such luck with the French (totally empty, sunny autoroute btw). 2 months ban and a rather tiny 85 euro fine.It ain't observance, because they are properly hidden, and I mean properly hidden.
My two pulls this last weekend, at first I didn't even realise it was me they wanted to stop, my reaction was "Me? WTF? I'm not even doing anything! I've been nicked once already and I've been good boy and been complying ever since!"
The elderly French couple in the Prius were properly pee'd off, and as for a bloody great motorhome towing a rib? Although one of the three Gendarmes, a younger bloke, did not look at all comfortable. I think it was a fluke location which they know will be good pickings where they could nick everyone, even those going really very very slowly.
As to dirty tricks - a few years we were coming out of Cahors up a massive steep road, Landcruiser, 7 occupants, boat on roof, big twin axle caravan on roof. Couple of French bike cops pulled us over, no problem, but held us there while all the traffic came past (we weren't going *that* slow!), then sent us on our way. A couple of miles later it became evident why: they had a speedtrap and were simply herding all of the cars into a field for "processing". It stinks!
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