RE: UK Speeders In France Could Soon Get Points
Discussion
At least whe we go there we have 80 limits on the motorway, and cameras that are clearly signed, AND placed at obvious hazards (at least in Normandy and Brittany!) while French drivers will have to get used to 70 limits and SCP's hiding in the bushes, or blatting away at long range with a dodgy scope for no good reason.
krallicious said:
All the member states would have to agree a standardised fixed penalty/points system and all driving licences would have to be stanardised throughou the EU, non?
i.e We have 12 points for totting up and they last for 3 years (for speeding anyway). Don't the Polish only have points on their licence for a year? And more points to play with before a ban?
In France you start with 12 points and lose points for offences the reverse of UK. Also if you are caught say drink drive you can get banned for social domestic & pleasure drives but still allowed to drive to work.i.e We have 12 points for totting up and they last for 3 years (for speeding anyway). Don't the Polish only have points on their licence for a year? And more points to play with before a ban?
Edited by krallicious on Tuesday 7th October 11:17
Pingman said:
I must admit I thought that it was already the case that if you were caught speeding in France you got points on your UK licence!
I do find it hard to beleive that 550,000 British motorists have been speeding in France each year. That must be every single person that has driven in France over a year!
What also worries me is the variation in tolerances to offences. Typically in the UK you'll not get a tug for 75 in a national speed limit, but in France if you're doing just over the limit you'll get nicked as they aren't as tolerant/ want an easy few quid
Could mean very easily picking up points for very minor and accidental infractions of the speed limits for alot of British motorists
A friend in France got nicked for 2kph over in 110kph limit......I do find it hard to beleive that 550,000 British motorists have been speeding in France each year. That must be every single person that has driven in France over a year!
What also worries me is the variation in tolerances to offences. Typically in the UK you'll not get a tug for 75 in a national speed limit, but in France if you're doing just over the limit you'll get nicked as they aren't as tolerant/ want an easy few quid
Could mean very easily picking up points for very minor and accidental infractions of the speed limits for alot of British motorists
neil-f said:
krallicious said:
All the member states would have to agree a standardised fixed penalty/points system and all driving licences would have to be stanardised throughou the EU, non?
i.e We have 12 points for totting up and they last for 3 years (for speeding anyway). Don't the Polish only have points on their licence for a year? And more points to play with before a ban?
In France you start with 12 points and lose points for offences the reverse of UK. Also if you are caught say drink drive you can get banned for social domestic & pleasure drives but still allowed to drive to work.i.e We have 12 points for totting up and they last for 3 years (for speeding anyway). Don't the Polish only have points on their licence for a year? And more points to play with before a ban?
Edited by krallicious on Tuesday 7th October 11:17
MillWheel said:
At least whe we go there we have 80 limits on the motorway, and cameras that are clearly signed, AND placed at obvious hazards (at least in Normandy and Brittany!) while French drivers will have to get used to 70 limits and SCP's hiding in the bushes, or blatting away at long range with a dodgy scope for no good reason.
You still get them hiding on N roads in France with mobile cameras and no warning signs (just locals flashing you).after 2 road trips across Europe I will say I have not seen (touch wood) any French Police with camera's. Although other road trip people have. Just been a bit lucky from that point but I have had issues with Swiss border Police with my car as it is slightly modified 
Although the German Police around Kologne last year were a bit heavy handed....
J
Although the German Police around Kologne last year were a bit heavy handed....
J
andyps said:
In reality, I don't think there is an argument which can be made against this, other than the general ones which apply to speed cameras anyway.
I guess the problem is that the French roads are generally very good, and very empty so people feel safer at the higher speeds, and when they think there is not much chance of getting caught will take a chance. I have to add that anyone getting caught by a French camera deserves it because those signs are enormous so if you miss it you aren't paying attention. In addition, I have never seen one where there isn't a camera so they aren't used like ours calling peoples bluff all the time.
Got to hope it is reciprocated and all the foreigners get points from UK cameras.
On N roads they hide up with mobile units and these roads are not sign posted for speed checks at these points. Have seen them on Autoroutes as well hiding up the slip roads with mobile units. Yes static cameras are well sign posted on Auto route and N road but they have a lot more mobile units than fixed. I drive around 12k miles per year in France and over the last 2-3 years they have increased the number of speed traps horendously.I guess the problem is that the French roads are generally very good, and very empty so people feel safer at the higher speeds, and when they think there is not much chance of getting caught will take a chance. I have to add that anyone getting caught by a French camera deserves it because those signs are enormous so if you miss it you aren't paying attention. In addition, I have never seen one where there isn't a camera so they aren't used like ours calling peoples bluff all the time.
Got to hope it is reciprocated and all the foreigners get points from UK cameras.
French Statistic Pen Pusher said:
A study by the French transport ministry claims that 900,000 German drivers, 550,000 Britons and 350,000 Italians are flashed by French cameras every year
Great so expect that the number of the above that visit the country will drop substantially in the wake of this new brainstorm. I am sure that will provide a noticable dent in their seasonal economy. Wonder how the 'go elsewhere' versus fines collected logistics will ballance
Be carefull what you say in future, the shower of Sh*t now want to spend £12 million of taxpayers money on a system to monitor all our phone calls, and E-mail. Is there any level that this administration will not stoop to?
Please stay where you are, The Stasi will be around in a short while to pick you up. Not comtent with hammering motorists here, they want to make sure they can get us anywhere.
Please stay where you are, The Stasi will be around in a short while to pick you up. Not comtent with hammering motorists here, they want to make sure they can get us anywhere.
neil-f said:
In France you start with 12 points and lose points for offences the reverse of UK. Also if you are caught say drink drive you can get banned for social domestic & pleasure drives but still allowed to drive to work.
Hi i'm french and this rules isnt not more since Sarkozy ... After i'm not surprise that the French gouvernement with is wonderfull idea of the speeding kill a lot but not because people don't give a s... of what happen on the road.In France they are quite good to make more money than British i think (they using bush and military tactics to hide they laser google and caught you), Just for info Sarkozy is the EU president right now ...
djohnson said:
What would happen then if I received a NIP from France, declined the option of a fixed penalty and went for a court appearance? Presumably they would require me to attend court in France or the French authorities to provide evidence (including if applicable witnesses) to the UK courts?
Is the kit the French plod uses 'type approved' for use in the UK?
Doesnt work like that.Is the kit the French plod uses 'type approved' for use in the UK?
You have to pay the fine first.
Then you can claim you werent driving etc.
Speedcameras in Sweden are forward facing, and the photo taken needs to clearly identify the driver. The numberplate is only used to check who is the owner and possibly the driver.
So a quick change of religion and sex and i can wear one of those negative football pools winners Burkha head gear things and never be caught ?
So a quick change of religion and sex and i can wear one of those negative football pools winners Burkha head gear things and never be caught ?
That will be the end of my annual pilgrimage to Le Mans then and loss of revenue for the Frogs. It is not speed that kills but the way you drive. Yesterday I witnessed a young scooter rider riding recklessly dodging cars and weaving with the end result that 5 minutes later he was knocked off his scooter when he went up the back of a stationary car at traffic lights. I got out of my car to help and found he was a young French foreign language student !
I am in France at the moment just coming back from the MGP on my R1 and yes I have seen some big numbers on some minor roads. The issue that all of the EU has is that roads are getting busier and fatality rates are climbing. They want to slow peeps down and the frenchies are better at doing it than us brits. However their country is big and their resources limited. Pick your time and place and you will be OK for now. If you still want to speed blatantly and with total impunity and can't be arsed to look for the police then book a track!
I am in France at the moment just coming back from the MGP on my R1 and yes I have seen some big numbers on some minor roads. The issue that all of the EU has is that roads are getting busier and fatality rates are climbing. They want to slow peeps down and the frenchies are better at doing it than us brits. However their country is big and their resources limited. Pick your time and place and you will be OK for now. If you still want to speed blatantly and with total impunity and can't be arsed to look for the police then book a track!
SS HSV said:
French Statistic Pen Pusher said:
A study by the French transport ministry claims that 900,000 German drivers, 550,000 Britons and 350,000 Italians are flashed by French cameras every year
Great so expect that the number of the above that visit the country will drop substantially in the wake of this new brainstorm. I am sure that will provide a noticable dent in their seasonal economy. Wonder how the 'go elsewhere' versus fines collected logistics will ballance
An Interesting Read.
I have driven many thousands of miles in France and not had issues with camera's apart from once getting flashed whilst driving down the steep hill in Tours. It was either that or an accident, due to some complete tw@t. Generally I always slow down and enjoy the final leg of the journey when getting within 100km or so from ports, as the cash cows are usually out.
I have seen some really appauling driving in the busy parts of France and was rear ended just South of Paris last year, with the emergency services not taking an interest. Lucking the German Engineering did its job, so I wipped the glass and debris off the back bumper and after spending 20 minutes on the phone and trying to sort things to no avail, drove off leaving the stranded and written off Peugeot across the Autoroute lanes. The French need to address the driving standards and also sort why it takes so long to admit Liability etc (those that have had to claim will know the process, it takes ages).
On another note, when using the Autoroute and with the time stamp on the ticket, I'm sure this will become an average speed area when you get off the network, or go through a booth. The only way around it will be more rest / fuel stops.
Overall, I find that they have great roads and it is a lot less hassle and a lot more enjoyable driving than in the UK.
J.
I have driven many thousands of miles in France and not had issues with camera's apart from once getting flashed whilst driving down the steep hill in Tours. It was either that or an accident, due to some complete tw@t. Generally I always slow down and enjoy the final leg of the journey when getting within 100km or so from ports, as the cash cows are usually out.
I have seen some really appauling driving in the busy parts of France and was rear ended just South of Paris last year, with the emergency services not taking an interest. Lucking the German Engineering did its job, so I wipped the glass and debris off the back bumper and after spending 20 minutes on the phone and trying to sort things to no avail, drove off leaving the stranded and written off Peugeot across the Autoroute lanes. The French need to address the driving standards and also sort why it takes so long to admit Liability etc (those that have had to claim will know the process, it takes ages).
On another note, when using the Autoroute and with the time stamp on the ticket, I'm sure this will become an average speed area when you get off the network, or go through a booth. The only way around it will be more rest / fuel stops.
Overall, I find that they have great roads and it is a lot less hassle and a lot more enjoyable driving than in the UK.
J.
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