France

[Zed 44]

Back in 2018 I got a speeding ticket in France. After that I swore I would never take another driving holiday in France again and I never have. Macron's ridiculous speed limits of 48mph on route national and D roads make a mockery of driving enjoyment never mind covering any distance. Or am I wrong? Do Les flics still hang about behind the bushes waiting for the unsuspecting Brit? Oui ou Non.

[Zed 44]

Dog Star said:

The final straw was when a pair of gendarmes on BMW bikes on one of those 3 lane stretches (overtaking lane shared in the middle) going the other way did a U turn and followed us. We gave up at that point - we were near Tours - and got on the autoroute. It was grim.

Maybe you should have done what they say is a good ploy in Wales. Slow right down. With the coppers behind you, try 35mph, see how they like that.

Edited by Zed 44 on Thursday 4th April 14:28

[Zed 44]

I used to enjoy the RNs and D roads in France. That was the reason for my enquiry. From the answers above, it would seem that a return to France for the pleasure of driving on these roads would be best avoided.

[Zed 44]

NDA said:

I generally do around 2,000 miles in France every year - and have done for 30 years I should think.

It has changed. 30 years ago I could drive on the peage at 150mph knowing that the fine was a very affordable sum... Now, you could have your car seized at those speeds.

But is it that bad now? Not really. I get to where I want to get to on the peage at 90mph and then pootle around at the destination observing the limits.

France is a superb country to drive through, despite the speed limits on rural roads.

How old are you now? Maybe that explains why you're happy driving it 48 mph

[Zed 44]

NDA said:

I quite like high speeds - having raced at Le Mans a couple of times, owned a Murcielago and a Ford GT (amongst others) for many years. I may not have your rich motoring experience, but I'd say it is possible to drive across France quite quickly.

Put down again. How can I possibly compete with those credentials? My neighbour is deperate to go to France. I am negotiating with him.He pays any fines I might get. At the moment he is reluctant but we will see.

[Zed 44]

NDA said:

I wouldn't dismiss France - it's such great countryside and amazing roads... I've had days where I've (almost) not seen another car.

I agree that the speed limits are a bit of a pain and it feels slow sometimes. But I've shifted to motorways to get to the area I'm heading, rather than doing it all on the back roads.

To be honest, I used to like driving the RNs and D roads when the speed limit was 90kph. You could push it to a 100kph and not get stopped and enjoy the roads very nicely thank you. I went many times to both France and the Pyrenees. In fact, there were roads in the Pyrenees where you would struggle to safely beat the speed limit sometimes. But now with the limit at 80kph I feel that you would draw too much attention to yourself driving at the speeds I used to.

[Zed 44]

clive_candy said:

Props to you Zed for the graciousness.

Anyway, I arrived home in the autumn of 2020 and received 6 penalty letters over the course of the next few months for speeding offences committed across France. No idea if it was me or my wife who was the offender or more likely both of us but I made pretty damn sure I was aware of the speed limits the next time I went.

Having said that, it was a glorious trip down to the Pyrenees, across to Avignon and back up through the Côte-d'Or. Is there a more glorious country to drive in?

Spain.

[Zed 44]

rdjohn said:

You will be ecstatic to read this then

https://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/71587/new...

I also recently read that they are increasing static camera number by 50%

Well in that case it's a good job that I don't have my GTR anymore and haven't gone to Spain since 2018 and I'm now stuck with a crappy Mercedes SLC and on the basis of this thread unlikely to go to either France or Spain.

[Zed 44]

rdjohn said:

Driving in the UK must be a real hardship for you also

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1201490/speed-...

Where I live they don't need speed cameras or cops the geriatric drivers maintain an average speed limit of 47 miles an hour and a 60 MPH zone. I only go to the shops. If I go to the city we take the bus. Exciting eh?

Edited by Zed 44 on Tuesday 16th April 12:20