Using GPS-based speed camera apps in France
Discussion
I know the French are pretty hot on stamping out the use of these, and a few years ago TomTom (I think) changed their speed camera database for France, to show only "safety zones" rather than actual camera locations.
Is this still OK, or is everything now banned?
And if this is still OK, does that also mean that Amigo is still usable, as it is owned by TomTom and probably uses the same database?
And I assume that using Waze is now asking for trouble, as the app shows everyone who is using it, so Monsieur Gendarme only needs to look at his phone as you approach to see that you are Le Guilty Rosbeef...
Is this still OK, or is everything now banned?
And if this is still OK, does that also mean that Amigo is still usable, as it is owned by TomTom and probably uses the same database?
And I assume that using Waze is now asking for trouble, as the app shows everyone who is using it, so Monsieur Gendarme only needs to look at his phone as you approach to see that you are Le Guilty Rosbeef...
piddy44 said:
Not sure of the situation now. Last time I went, I just found it easier to stick to the limits & respect the rules of the country I was a guest in.
Yes, well, thanks for that, Mr Virtuous....obviously you you are quite selective in your respect for rules."Went by a camera-van 19 days ago doing 38ish in a 30. I'd sped up a little as we were about to hit the 40mph section on the road out of town. Was behind a Fiat Panda & got fairly close to its rear so reckon they might have lasered & ticketed it instead.
Sorry OP; totally irrelevant to your post I appreciate. Your post just reminded me & made me check the days elapsed. Even with the postal strikes it looks like I'm clear. Saturday night win! cool"
I've lived in France for 16 years, so here is a fact.
The vast majority of French still use Waze, as I do. Waze changed reports of cameras to a warning saying 'Police reported ahead', or, 'average speed detection area ahead'.
By doing that, they got around the rules because the warning is well in advance.
If the Police/Gendarmes want an area to be blocked from reports being given, they have to have a valid security reason for requesting a block, i.e; a terrorist situation or a major crime in progress.
So, just use Waze. Although, I have to say that it's navigation has gone bonkers sometimes recently by selecting totally unapropriate routes along narrow lanes rather than main roads.
A point re; Waze versus Google maps. Since a lot of French roads reverted to 90 KPH, Waze now displays the correct speed but Google still shows the old 80 KPH speed. Quite annoying when you're in an unfamiliar area.
Enjoy the holiday.
The vast majority of French still use Waze, as I do. Waze changed reports of cameras to a warning saying 'Police reported ahead', or, 'average speed detection area ahead'.
By doing that, they got around the rules because the warning is well in advance.
If the Police/Gendarmes want an area to be blocked from reports being given, they have to have a valid security reason for requesting a block, i.e; a terrorist situation or a major crime in progress.
So, just use Waze. Although, I have to say that it's navigation has gone bonkers sometimes recently by selecting totally unapropriate routes along narrow lanes rather than main roads.
A point re; Waze versus Google maps. Since a lot of French roads reverted to 90 KPH, Waze now displays the correct speed but Google still shows the old 80 KPH speed. Quite annoying when you're in an unfamiliar area.
Enjoy the holiday.
Many thanks to the helpful posters above.
I am slightly confused by the 90 v 80 kph thing for 2-way roads.
The RAC site (dated 4/4/22) is showing 80kph for A and B roads outside built-up areas. I know there was a recent change, which I thought was from 90 to 80 for these roads.
Has that been revoked, so back to 90kph for these roads?
Edit: Just checked another site which says that 80kph applies to single carriageway N roads, whereas “good routes departmentales (D roads) have generally reverted to 90kph” thanks to local councils using their powers.
I am slightly confused by the 90 v 80 kph thing for 2-way roads.
The RAC site (dated 4/4/22) is showing 80kph for A and B roads outside built-up areas. I know there was a recent change, which I thought was from 90 to 80 for these roads.
Has that been revoked, so back to 90kph for these roads?
Edit: Just checked another site which says that 80kph applies to single carriageway N roads, whereas “good routes departmentales (D roads) have generally reverted to 90kph” thanks to local councils using their powers.
Edited by Tony B2 on Tuesday 30th August 08:33
Tony B2 said:
piddy44 said:
Not sure of the situation now. Last time I went, I just found it easier to stick to the limits & respect the rules of the country I was a guest in.
Yes, well, thanks for that, Mr Virtuous....obviously you you are quite selective in your respect for rules."Went by a camera-van 19 days ago doing 38ish in a 30. I'd sped up a little as we were about to hit the 40mph section on the road out of town. Was behind a Fiat Panda & got fairly close to its rear so reckon they might have lasered & ticketed it instead.
Sorry OP; totally irrelevant to your post I appreciate. Your post just reminded me & made me check the days elapsed. Even with the postal strikes it looks like I'm clear. Saturday night win! cool"
Drawweight said:
Tony B2 said:
piddy44 said:
Not sure of the situation now. Last time I went, I just found it easier to stick to the limits & respect the rules of the country I was a guest in.
Yes, well, thanks for that, Mr Virtuous....obviously you you are quite selective in your respect for rules."Went by a camera-van 19 days ago doing 38ish in a 30. I'd sped up a little as we were about to hit the 40mph section on the road out of town. Was behind a Fiat Panda & got fairly close to its rear so reckon they might have lasered & ticketed it instead.
Sorry OP; totally irrelevant to your post I appreciate. Your post just reminded me & made me check the days elapsed. Even with the postal strikes it looks like I'm clear. Saturday night win! cool"
piddy44 said:
Tragic that you've had to trawl past posts to quote. I've never claimed to be perfect & if I get caught then it's fair cop for my stupidity. What I don't do however is post on PH about what system is least likely to catch me out when pre-empting speed cameras in France. You're a guest in their country. Try showing a bit of repect for their laws.
Yawn…It took less than 30 seconds to identify you as a typically virtuous, hypocritical, patronising WUM.
And that includes finding your embarrassing post.
“Try showing a bit of respect for their laws” - but not ours, I assume.
And if your reading comprehension was a little better, you will have seen that I was asking about a solution that did not break the law when in use. Those solutions include the ability to display one’s own speed versus the actual limit in force (which is not always clear).
Maybe you should try one?
Anyway, toddle-off now, tragic wum
I've found recently that the French signposting of cameras is usually accurate, ie. there will be a camera very close by. Also, it appears many French people are simply reporting cameras on Waze as 'police spotted'. bear in mind that the Waze app doesn't display camera locations in France so what's wrong with using it?!
Drawweight said:
Tony B2 said:
piddy44 said:
Not sure of the situation now. Last time I went, I just found it easier to stick to the limits & respect the rules of the country I was a guest in.
Yes, well, thanks for that, Mr Virtuous....obviously you you are quite selective in your respect for rules."Went by a camera-van 19 days ago doing 38ish in a 30. I'd sped up a little as we were about to hit the 40mph section on the road out of town. Was behind a Fiat Panda & got fairly close to its rear so reckon they might have lasered & ticketed it instead.
Sorry OP; totally irrelevant to your post I appreciate. Your post just reminded me & made me check the days elapsed. Even with the postal strikes it looks like I'm clear. Saturday night win! cool"
NDA said:
As above, use Waze.
I've just come back from 3 weeks driving around France and it was useful both for getting in and out of large towns (how did we manage with paper maps before phones?!) and for warning of speed trap areas.
Paper maps - in the old days with our Espace through france I used to have post it notes on a huge Map book, with arrows showing the route, next page information, road numbers, direction of <insert town/village>I've just come back from 3 weeks driving around France and it was useful both for getting in and out of large towns (how did we manage with paper maps before phones?!) and for warning of speed trap areas.
Even then my wife got flustered directing and we frequently had to stop so I could put the map on the right page
Byker28i said:
Paper maps - in the old days with our Espace through france I used to have post it notes on a huge Map book, with arrows showing the route, next page information, road numbers, direction of <insert town/village>
Even then my wife got flustered directing and we frequently had to stop so I could put the map on the right page
We took my parents on a trip, my mum remarked how it wasn't quite the same starting a holiday without a screaming row whilst trying to get out of a French port town, or having subsequent arguments whenever my dad's speed and her map reading abilities were at odds. Even then my wife got flustered directing and we frequently had to stop so I could put the map on the right page
Slightly OT but sort of related - are children still taught how to read maps at school? ISTR the story of a chap who drove to a gig in London, lost his phone and without it was completely unable to work out how to get back to Bristol. Wasn't he found halfway up the M1 or something?
Back on topic, I'm willing to bet that most Brits visiting France don't even know about a ban on apps showing (or claiming to show) speed camera locations, any more than they know about the need to carry hi-vis vests for all passengers, your V5C or a first aid kit. Therefore, if you feel the need to use one, go ahead.
Back on topic, I'm willing to bet that most Brits visiting France don't even know about a ban on apps showing (or claiming to show) speed camera locations, any more than they know about the need to carry hi-vis vests for all passengers, your V5C or a first aid kit. Therefore, if you feel the need to use one, go ahead.
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