Driving in France
Discussion
Tailgating
Piss poor indication
Piss poor lane discipline
Don't ever give them any room, especially on slip roads, they don't move for you, don't move for them, includes lorries.
Last minute decisions are a must
If you have an accident leave the car where ever it stops, even if driveable don't move it to the hard shoulder, you must get out and have a fight or argue with the other driver involved.
Well all of these are things that I have come across regularly on French roads
ETA: It's pretty much like driving in the UK apart from the police are effective and you don't piss them off, and speeding fines are dealt with on the spot in cash.
Piss poor indication
Piss poor lane discipline
Don't ever give them any room, especially on slip roads, they don't move for you, don't move for them, includes lorries.
Last minute decisions are a must
If you have an accident leave the car where ever it stops, even if driveable don't move it to the hard shoulder, you must get out and have a fight or argue with the other driver involved.
Well all of these are things that I have come across regularly on French roads
ETA: It's pretty much like driving in the UK apart from the police are effective and you don't piss them off, and speeding fines are dealt with on the spot in cash.
Edited by pits on Sunday 20th June 13:31
Got back yesterday from a trip to France. Take the recommended kit, watch out for police on the motorways as they like to wait on slip roads. I'm not sure if the rules are different there, but I found that people didn't look or give way when turning into a major from a minor road. Had to slam on a couple of times. Oh and yes, they like to tailgate/beep if they think you are going too slowly. On the good side of motoring the motorways are great to drive on and there seems to less traffic and no mlms over there.
Had a good time though!
Had a good time though!
ben_h100 said:
I'm not sure if the rules are different there, but I found that people didn't look or give way when turning into a major from a minor road. Had to slam on a couple of times.
Especially with older people, especially in rural France... comes from the old "prioritie a droite" where vehicles joining the major road had priority:http://www.france4families.com/drivinginfrance/Rul...
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
Still exists in some places...
plg said:
ben_h100 said:
I'm not sure if the rules are different there, but I found that people didn't look or give way when turning into a major from a minor road. Had to slam on a couple of times.
Especially with older people, especially in rural France... comes from the old "prioritie a droite" where vehicles joining the major road had priority:http://www.france4families.com/drivinginfrance/Rul...
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
Still exists in some places...
Cheers for the links!
MondeoMan1981 said:
Whats mandatory for driving in France these days?
Good lane disciplineA 10 yr old hatchback that can do +160kph three feet from the bumper of the car in front
The ability to smoke a gauloise, change gear, tune the radio, stroke your lover's thigh and steer the car simultaneously.
Don't be considerate or polite - it confuses them.
I'm not joking - trying to let folk out of junctions or on a dual carriageway backing off and flashing someone so they can come out and pass a slow truck - they just stay there with a WTF? look.
Otherwise imagine roads with about the 10th of the traffic of ours - gorgeous.
I'm not joking - trying to let folk out of junctions or on a dual carriageway backing off and flashing someone so they can come out and pass a slow truck - they just stay there with a WTF? look.
Otherwise imagine roads with about the 10th of the traffic of ours - gorgeous.
FamilyGuy said:
I'm not joking - trying to let folk out of junctions or on a dual carriageway backing off and flashing someone so they can come out and pass a slow truck - they just stay there with a WTF? look.
Take great care with this, in France, a flash means "I'm coming through".The opposite of our "use", so UK drivers can easily make a wrong move.
ing pot holes in northern France motorways.WhoseGeneration said:
FamilyGuy said:
I'm not joking - trying to let folk out of junctions or on a dual carriageway backing off and flashing someone so they can come out and pass a slow truck - they just stay there with a WTF? look.
Take great care with this, in France, a flash means "I'm coming through".The opposite of our "use", so UK drivers can easily make a wrong move.
A beret.
Got to disagree about lane discipline, I've always found it far better than England on the whole.
I was told flashing the lights is generally considered aggressive there, as in most of Europe.
I wonder why England has never got into all this control freakery about carrying jackets and hard hats and roller skating knee pads in your car. We seem to excel in most other ways.
Got to disagree about lane discipline, I've always found it far better than England on the whole.
I was told flashing the lights is generally considered aggressive there, as in most of Europe.
I wonder why England has never got into all this control freakery about carrying jackets and hard hats and roller skating knee pads in your car. We seem to excel in most other ways.
AJS- said:
A beret.
Got to disagree about lane discipline, I've always found it far better than England on the whole.
I was told flashing the lights is generally considered aggressive there, as in most of Europe.
I wonder why England has never got into all this control freakery about carrying jackets and hard hats and roller skating knee pads in your car. We seem to excel in most other ways.
Of all the things that you have to carry whilst driving in France, I actually think the Hi-Vis is a pretty good one.Got to disagree about lane discipline, I've always found it far better than England on the whole.
I was told flashing the lights is generally considered aggressive there, as in most of Europe.
I wonder why England has never got into all this control freakery about carrying jackets and hard hats and roller skating knee pads in your car. We seem to excel in most other ways.
We have long, dark winters and crowded roads. Given their cost (next to nothing) and their minimal space (stuff under seat) and their potential to genuniely help you if you break down on an unlit road - why shouldn't they be mandatory? Make it part of the MOT inspection, don't make it endorsement offence (just an admin penalty - eg a producer if you aren't carry one and happen to be stopped)
Impact to motorist wallet: tiny
Impact to "motorist freedoms": tiny
Upside: fewer roadside deaths
<dons flameproof jacket>
plg said:
AJS- said:
A beret.
Got to disagree about lane discipline, I've always found it far better than England on the whole.
I was told flashing the lights is generally considered aggressive there, as in most of Europe.
I wonder why England has never got into all this control freakery about carrying jackets and hard hats and roller skating knee pads in your car. We seem to excel in most other ways.
Of all the things that you have to carry whilst driving in France, I actually think the Hi-Vis is a pretty good one.Got to disagree about lane discipline, I've always found it far better than England on the whole.
I was told flashing the lights is generally considered aggressive there, as in most of Europe.
I wonder why England has never got into all this control freakery about carrying jackets and hard hats and roller skating knee pads in your car. We seem to excel in most other ways.
We have long, dark winters and crowded roads. Given their cost (next to nothing) and their minimal space (stuff under seat) and their potential to genuniely help you if you break down on an unlit road - why shouldn't they be mandatory? Make it part of the MOT inspection, don't make it endorsement offence (just an admin penalty - eg a producer if you aren't carry one and happen to be stopped)
Impact to motorist wallet: tiny
Impact to "motorist freedoms": tiny
Upside: fewer roadside deaths
<dons flameproof jacket>
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