Driving to South France
Discussion
Though I've not seen it myself, the French are rumoured to take to these things enthusiastically. It is also rumoured that they are doing average speeds on sections of the motorway ; as on most of your route they are ticket autoroutes, so they know where and when you get on and off.
Have you ever thought of going via Lille, Reimes and Troyes ?
Have you ever thought of going via Lille, Reimes and Troyes ?
autismuk said:Agreed - take the A26 along the Eastern side of France. It's a matter of 3 or 4 miles longer then the A1 route and much more quiet!
Have you ever thought of going via Lille, Reimes and Troyes ?
Did this route cruising at 150 kmph without any interference (limit is 130 in the dry).
autismuk said:
Though I've not seen it myself, the French are rumoured to take to these things enthusiastically. It is also rumoured that they are doing average speeds on sections of the motorway ; as on most of your route they are ticket autoroutes, so they know where and when you get on and off.
Have you ever thought of going via Lille, Reimes and Troyes ?
They do not measure speed between Tolls - they could do - but don't
But they do watch cars coming in and going out and they do target British and german cars
You can comfortably drive at 90mph - but anything over a 100mph and they'll nick you
Best of all they can confiscate your licence and you vehicle if you don't have someone else that can drive yr car
woof said:
Best of all they can confiscate your licence and you vehicle if you don't have someone else that can drive yr car
But usually they just hit you with a large, on-the-spot fine and if you haven't got enough cash they will escort you to a bank to withdraw some - I often wonder why they don't have Credit Card facilities in the car; would certainly save them some time & hassle....
They will confiscate your vehicle if you can't or won't pay the fine but I think they only take your licence for big speeds, not sure at what speed that happens but can tell you that 201kmh will likely just earn you a fine...
puggit said:
Have you ever thought of going via Lille, Reimes and Troyes ?
Did this route cruising at 150 kmph without any interference (limit is 130 in the dry).
Miss out two racetracks (A1 Cambrai-Paris, A6 Paris-Beaune) and the Peripherique..... it's probably about 30 miles further I reckon. Stop for some Champers on the way though ...
autismuk said:I once did that route at speeds of 200 km/h plus (sometimes plus a lot). I wouldn't do that any more though. The Gendarmes have got a lot more serious about speed.
Have you ever thought of going via Lille, Reimes and Troyes ?
Did this route cruising at 150 kmph without any interference (limit is 130 in the dry).
Miss out two racetracks (A1 Cambrai-Paris, A6 Paris-Beaune) and the Peripherique..... it's probably about 30 miles further I reckon. Stop for some Champers on the way though ...
woof said:
You can comfortably drive at 90mph - but anything over a 100mph and they'll nick you
Best of all they can confiscate your licence and you vehicle if you don't have someone else that can drive yr car
The French speed limit is 130 kph in the dry - they aren't even going
to *start* issuing speeding tickets until you are doing at least
150kph. That's 93 mph in real money or 95 mph on the speedo.
Over 160 kph, that's 100 mph, they are liable to get upset.
It is not good practice to upset foreign coppers.
In practice I put the cruise on 90 or 95 mph and put a good CD on.
No trouble whatsoever over thousands of miles touch wood.
Also, you can forget about speed cameras. I've never seen one
in France.
I've driven on the motorways in France from Calais down to Bordeaux at 85 average, no problems. You do have to watch out tho, as they're often only two lanes and you will get some dozy feckers meandering out doing half your speed.
What really annoys me about French roads is the weird priority to the right thing whereby cars joining a main road have priority over those already on it. Bizarre.
What really annoys me about French roads is the weird priority to the right thing whereby cars joining a main road have priority over those already on it. Bizarre.
The road out of Calais is known as the Autoroute des Anglais. One theory is that it is because it was paid for by the speeding fines from English motorists. Keep to the limit to Reims unless it is clearly unpatrolled (no bushes etc)
They really really like to hide their mobile gatsos and plod cars in bushes by side of road.
Doubly so in the run to Calis and out to catch Mr RostBif.
They really really like to hide their mobile gatsos and plod cars in bushes by side of road.
Doubly so in the run to Calis and out to catch Mr RostBif.
For future reference, in 2007 french dibble will be able to apply to DVLA for your keeper details and request the fine.. IME the main places to keep it sensible (and rightly so) are villages. I always stay a good 3 / 4kmh below the limit in small villages as french tractors / kids / street sweepers etc have a tendency to be a bit erratic!
As I understand it the Gendarmes have the option to confiscate your license for speeds in excess of 25kmph over the posted limit. There does seem to be a huge variety of responses to different 'incidents' that I'm aware of though, but those are the official numbers so if you want to be 'safe' then keep that in mind.
I've driven extensively across France and have so far only seen speed traps on minor roads. The French are generally very helpful though and will be flashing their lights at oncoming traffic for a mile or so to warn you. Don't think of speeding in Monaco - they can get very shirty and, in fairness, the only place you can really drive fast is the tunnel and that has frequent speed traps anyway.
If you are caught speeding in France, be prepared for a rough time. Particularly if you drive a showy car.
Gruffy
I've driven extensively across France and have so far only seen speed traps on minor roads. The French are generally very helpful though and will be flashing their lights at oncoming traffic for a mile or so to warn you. Don't think of speeding in Monaco - they can get very shirty and, in fairness, the only place you can really drive fast is the tunnel and that has frequent speed traps anyway.
If you are caught speeding in France, be prepared for a rough time. Particularly if you drive a showy car.
Gruffy
I've done the run about 25 times in a variety of vehicles and never seen a speed camera. They put the odd radar trap out every so often but, as someone has already said, you need to be over a ton before they bother you. The toll tickets do keep note of the time you entered so they can work out your average. If it is way over, you'll get a talking to and a lightening of the wallet. But, every car I have ever taken down needed a tank of fuel about every 4 hours so you end up stopping somewhere along each toll stretch. 20 minutes for fuel, a wander around and a coffee does wonders for your average speed. I drove a Sapphire Cosworth back from Nice and didn't drop below 110 mph once and didn't get troubled by anyone (except UK Customs when I got off the ferry but that's a whole different story).
You have two choices, A1, A6 and go via Paris or A26 and go via Reims. I've done the latter twice. Once to try it and the second time because I was changing the CD and missed the A1 exit off the A26. It has got to be the most monotonous road on the planet! It's about 30 miles further, costs more because the toll is continuous and it's so mind numbingly boring. Going via Paris is shorter, cheaper on tolls and breaks the journey down into stages. Not to mention the cut and thrust of the Periphique can give a bit of entertainment too. Admittedly, the sign at the side of the A6 near Orly airport just south of Paris that says "Lyon 498" is a bit depressing but once you convince yourself that kilometres are much shorter than miles, it doesn't seem as bad.
You have two choices, A1, A6 and go via Paris or A26 and go via Reims. I've done the latter twice. Once to try it and the second time because I was changing the CD and missed the A1 exit off the A26. It has got to be the most monotonous road on the planet! It's about 30 miles further, costs more because the toll is continuous and it's so mind numbingly boring. Going via Paris is shorter, cheaper on tolls and breaks the journey down into stages. Not to mention the cut and thrust of the Periphique can give a bit of entertainment too. Admittedly, the sign at the side of the A6 near Orly airport just south of Paris that says "Lyon 498" is a bit depressing but once you convince yourself that kilometres are much shorter than miles, it doesn't seem as bad.
A friend of mine took his car to france and was stopped at a toll booth by french police.
They had caught him for speeding (im unsure of how, I think it was a lazer gun)
Made him pay the fine in cash (which at the option of having his car towed he produced)
He did notice that there were 3 or 4 other cars on UK plates also being asked to pay fines. No french cars at all!
When I went on a driving holiday around france a few weeks later I stuck to the posted limits.
I found drivng in France to be excentent and enjoyable. Lane disipline on the motorway was top notch, and traffic was allways fairly light. Paris was "interesting" especially getting lost and going right into the centre :P
They had caught him for speeding (im unsure of how, I think it was a lazer gun)
Made him pay the fine in cash (which at the option of having his car towed he produced)
He did notice that there were 3 or 4 other cars on UK plates also being asked to pay fines. No french cars at all!
When I went on a driving holiday around france a few weeks later I stuck to the posted limits.
I found drivng in France to be excentent and enjoyable. Lane disipline on the motorway was top notch, and traffic was allways fairly light. Paris was "interesting" especially getting lost and going right into the centre :P
As said above really
1) Don't speed within about 30miles of the ports
2) There are speed cameras and some on the autoroute - but they won't chase you for payment. Grey Boxes sited on the ground about 5ft hight, Massive sign (think motorway sign) about 400m before the camera with a picture of a car, camera and "radio waves". Check the locations here www.radarsfixes.com/
3) Radar and laser detectors are banned and will be confisicated if found
4) Don't speed coming into the tolls, but they don't time you between toll booths
5) On the spot fines, if you haven't got the cash they will take you to a cash machine and if you are 50 over they will take away your license - make sure there is another driver who is insured to drive the car. Stick to around 95 - 100mph and you should be OK.
6) Autoroute petrol is about same price as over here, maybe couple of pennies more.
7) Super Unleaded widely available if you need it
8) Stay away from Paris anytime close to rush hour +- 2hrs
9) It is a long way, especially if you are not used to big journeys. Stick to 2hrs driving and then 30min break, should be looking at 8 to 10 hrs of driving.
Forgot to add
10) Drive on the right, unless you really want to liven up the journey
>> Edited by bluepolarbear on Monday 13th March 20:22
>> Edited by bluepolarbear on Monday 13th March 20:24
1) Don't speed within about 30miles of the ports
2) There are speed cameras and some on the autoroute - but they won't chase you for payment. Grey Boxes sited on the ground about 5ft hight, Massive sign (think motorway sign) about 400m before the camera with a picture of a car, camera and "radio waves". Check the locations here www.radarsfixes.com/
3) Radar and laser detectors are banned and will be confisicated if found
4) Don't speed coming into the tolls, but they don't time you between toll booths
5) On the spot fines, if you haven't got the cash they will take you to a cash machine and if you are 50 over they will take away your license - make sure there is another driver who is insured to drive the car. Stick to around 95 - 100mph and you should be OK.
6) Autoroute petrol is about same price as over here, maybe couple of pennies more.
7) Super Unleaded widely available if you need it
8) Stay away from Paris anytime close to rush hour +- 2hrs
9) It is a long way, especially if you are not used to big journeys. Stick to 2hrs driving and then 30min break, should be looking at 8 to 10 hrs of driving.
Forgot to add
10) Drive on the right, unless you really want to liven up the journey
>> Edited by bluepolarbear on Monday 13th March 20:22
>> Edited by bluepolarbear on Monday 13th March 20:24
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