Driving in France

[Russwhitehouse]

Don't worry, just relax and enjoy the great roads. However, as already mentioned, plod are red hot on speeding these days. Static cameras are not an issue for UK registered cars, but if you get stopped in person it's off to the cash point for a smacked bottom and off to bed with no tea!

[LordBretSinclair]

French plod are also very zealous at the moment about coming to a complete stop at side junctions when signed to do so.
Just rolling though at less than walking pace is not good enough - it must be a complete stop.

[Neil1300r]

It's just me then that loves French roads and only obey speed limits on motorways, towns and villages. So rarely see Le Flick. If there are mobile speed traps setup the locals will flash you 2-3 miles out.

Just don't upset the locals by speeding in their town or village.

[Zed 44]

If the OP is only going to the Loire Valley, he's hardly scratching the surface of France so probably wouldn't need a Sanef reader. Much better to take the D roads and enjoy driving in France and catch the scenery.

If you need to cover distance in a hurry, they're a blessing though.

[ds2000]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The problem is not for you, it's the other road users

Think again..... I didn't drive at night.... I had no problem at all.

[Russwhitehouse]

One I forgot to mention is the frankly insane right of way rule you sometimes encounter in towns and villages, whereby someone emerging from a side road has right of way over you , even though you are on the main road! These are often very poorly signed and the first thing you know about it is as you stand on the anchors to avoid the tractor/knackered old French jalopy/Peugeot driving boy racer who has just flown out in front of you without a second glance!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

ds2000 said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The problem is not for you, it's the other road users

Think again..... I didn't drive at night.... I had no problem at all.

It ain't (necessarily) about night..rain, tunnels & any other reason to use lights.

Anyhoo, I'm obviously a minority of one! Call me old fashioned, but if one visits a place where a request is made it's only polite & courteous to oblige. (Especially if the cost is next to nowt)

But as I say, I've obviously got different standards.

[DB4DM]

Priorite a droit, the classic place for this is place Charles de Gaulle in Paris

At least, French road signs tell you when PAD applies

[Neil1300r]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

It ain't (necessarily) about night..rain, tunnels & any other reason to use lights.

Anyhoo, I'm obviously a minority of one! Call me old fashioned, but if one visits a place where a request is made it's only polite & courteous to oblige. (Especially if the cost is next to nowt)

But as I say, I've obviously got different standards.

The lights have a very flat beam, not much difference setting them up for left or right. Stick on beam reflectors will have no effect. Apart from potentially de laminating the light when you peel them off.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Neil1300r said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

It ain't (necessarily) about night..rain, tunnels & any other reason to use lights.

Anyhoo, I'm obviously a minority of one! Call me old fashioned, but if one visits a place where a request is made it's only polite & courteous to oblige. (Especially if the cost is next to nowt)

But as I say, I've obviously got different standards.

The lights have a very flat beam, not much difference setting them up for left or right. Stick on beam reflectors will have no effect. Apart from potentially de laminating the light when you peel them off.

Aha.

[mikey k]

Neil1300r said:

The lights have a very flat beam, not much difference setting them up for left or right. Stick on beam reflectors will have no effect. Apart from potentially de laminating the light when you peel them off.

My first roadster had a delaminated light

[ds2000]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

It ain't (necessarily) about night..rain, tunnels & any other reason to use lights.

Anyhoo, I'm obviously a minority of one! Call me old fashioned, but if one visits a place where a request is made it's only polite & courteous to oblige. (Especially if the cost is next to nowt)

But as I say, I've obviously got different standards.

Being honest..... you'll back most tunnels up so you can have a good wind up in them...

[good grief]

Thanks for all the advice, only got flashed once ( on the toll ) but as previous comments,get off the main drag and the driving is wondrous.

[IanV12VR]

Only just over a week until we go off on our jaunt routes sorted and only one day when autoroutes have to be used. Visiting Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and back into France! Too many highlights to mention and can't wait to get going

[jonby]

IanV12VR said:

Only just over a week until we go off on our jaunt routes sorted and only one day when autoroutes have to be used. Visiting Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and back into France! Too many highlights to mention and can't wait to get going

When/where ? We may be in the same country at the same time !!!

I set off at lunchtime if I ever leave the office

Mcr- Calais later - staying in France just over the border tonight, through France to Basel tomorrow, Saturday at a friends in Basel then a late dash to Lucerne, then 2 days driving in Northern Italy, then a track day at Imola, next day a Ferrari factory tour and a late night dash up past Verona to Bolzano, then a day in the ALps, next day I haven't decided, probably up to Beaune, then home the day after on Sat 13th.................v excited

[V8V12VTECwoollie]

Sounds like a great trip you have planned there Jonby. I hope you have plenty of coffee in the boot

[jonby]

V8V12VTECwoollie said:

Sounds like a great trip you have planned there Jonby. I hope you have plenty of coffee in the boot

My only concern is there are so many cars on the trip (about 12) I won't be able to make for everyone when we stop for breaks so will probably have to be very selfish...............

But yes, a good old stock is in the boot !

[V8V12VTECwoollie]

jonby said:

My only concern is there are so many cars on the trip (about 12) I won't be able to make for everyone when we stop for breaks so will probably have to be very selfish...............

But yes, a good old stock is in the boot !

Just pack a few thermos flasks with Alta Rica instant coffee - they'll never know the difference

[mikey k]

jonby said:

When/where ? We may be in the same country at the same time !!!

I set off at lunchtime if I ever leave the office

Mcr- Calais later - staying in France just over the border tonight, through France to Basel tomorrow, Saturday at a friends in Basel then a late dash to Lucerne, then 2 days driving in Northern Italy, then a track day at Imola, next day a Ferrari factory tour and a late night dash up past Verona to Bolzano, then a day in the ALps, next day I haven't decided, probably up to Beaune, then home the day after on Sat 13th.................v excited

Sounds good!
If you are spending some time in Beaune try this place!

http://reception-aviation.chateau-savigny.com/en/m...

[Zed 44]

Ok, so that's two Aston Martins to watch out for. Just don't dazzle me with those unguarded lights.

Black Forest and the Andermatt loop from the 13th.