Gendarmarie and speeding
Discussion
vetteheadracer said:
Would you like some French bloke coming to England and driving at 100 mph past your kids school?
What's that then, Transport 2000? I don't really think
that the vast majority of people going down there are
going to be belting through villages at 120mph. The
whole point is that you find yourself on roads so
long and straight that it's actually possible to
observe the curvature of the earth. If you're not
going to give it some welly in such circumstances you
should not be allowed to own and drive a decent car.
Oversteer said:
If you're not going to give it some welly in such circumstances you should not be allowed to own and drive a decent car.
However, there's a clear possibility that you'll be driving home with your own licence in the car you don't deserve to own
Do what you like chuck. People are only advising you of how it is. If you want to push the boundaries, enjoy it. You won't be on here whining about how unfair it all is afterwards, will you?
vetteheadracer said:
I don't really think
that the vast majority of people going down there are
going to be belting through villages at 120mph.
The vast majority won't and hence they won't get stopped for speeding!
Those that do get what's coming I'm afraid.
Come on lets be honest for a moment... nobody condones driving though the village school at 120mph, but like oversteer said...long roads + fast cars its a recipe for speeding and from experience you dont see that many britsih sports cars ticking along at 65mph,the point of this topic is to get information for those of us who might be tempted to 'get a move on' not to start our own death race 2000 in northern France
Balmoral Green said:
Because they will want to keep it for a souvenir, you may not get it back or may have to jump through hoops to do so when you have got better things to be doing. It will also save you the trouble of getting a replacement for it back in blighty if you give them a copy.
And would they accept that? Why wouldn't they insist in the real thing?
ben
I was caught last year on the way to Le Mans .... and fined 750 Euros (however thejolly good chaps in our convoy all chipped in....thanks boys !!)
They did not take my licence (always a good idea to have a duplicate / international one to hand though :-)
They had a speed radar hidden in the central reservation (you will not see it according to the bib) and this sends a signal/picture to a relay station who then radio the bike cop sat further down the autoroute). He then pulls you in and demands the cash.
You are escorted to the local nick with him where you join the ever increasing line of British motorists. They take your money and issue a reciept. If you don't have the cash they very kindly drive you to the ATM and let you withdraw it. If you don't have the ability to withdraw the necessay amount; they keep your car until you do ! Or you walk.
They are really only interested in getting the cash from you and have little interest in getting you to court or taking your licences / confiscating cars - he said it was far too much hassle and paperwork. And anyway they'd rather be out there catching the next budding Le Mans Racer.
About four months later you get some documentation written in French (which I guess was the court case held in your absence. A nice second souvenir.
If you are a French driver then it becomes a whole different story....bans, confiscation, hanging...
He also mentioned that it takes about 15 mins for the system to re-boot and be ready to catch the next victim. His advice was never lead a convoy of speeders !!
Nutskie
They did not take my licence (always a good idea to have a duplicate / international one to hand though :-)
They had a speed radar hidden in the central reservation (you will not see it according to the bib) and this sends a signal/picture to a relay station who then radio the bike cop sat further down the autoroute). He then pulls you in and demands the cash.
You are escorted to the local nick with him where you join the ever increasing line of British motorists. They take your money and issue a reciept. If you don't have the cash they very kindly drive you to the ATM and let you withdraw it. If you don't have the ability to withdraw the necessay amount; they keep your car until you do ! Or you walk.
They are really only interested in getting the cash from you and have little interest in getting you to court or taking your licences / confiscating cars - he said it was far too much hassle and paperwork. And anyway they'd rather be out there catching the next budding Le Mans Racer.
About four months later you get some documentation written in French (which I guess was the court case held in your absence. A nice second souvenir.
If you are a French driver then it becomes a whole different story....bans, confiscation, hanging...
He also mentioned that it takes about 15 mins for the system to re-boot and be ready to catch the next victim. His advice was never lead a convoy of speeders !!
Nutskie
I'm sure its been covered before but please also be carefull if you have a Speed Detector or even a GPS based system.
Last year on the way down 3 of our group were unfortunate enough to be the victim of one of their traps.
The long and the short of it was almost 2hours wasted and a 750 euro fine each and a souvenir of directions to the bank written in english for us.
As it happens two of our group have received refunds from the municipality following their cases being before a judge or magistrate. Still leaving them 400 Euro lighter though.
Last year on the way down 3 of our group were unfortunate enough to be the victim of one of their traps.
The long and the short of it was almost 2hours wasted and a 750 euro fine each and a souvenir of directions to the bank written in english for us.
As it happens two of our group have received refunds from the municipality following their cases being before a judge or magistrate. Still leaving them 400 Euro lighter though.
nutskie.. said:
I was caught last year on the way to Le Mans .... and fined 750 Euros (however thejolly good chaps in our convoy all chipped in....thanks boys !!)
I knew someone who had a 5,000 Franc fine on the spot.
Back in Blighty 2 months later got a letter through that said his case went to court and the fine was 7,000 FF - and please pay the remaining 2,000 FF.
Was thinking of telling them where to stick it, but further enquiries told him that they add a 10% per month interest on it and will catch up with you when you next enter their country.
Might not go back for 5 years, but think what the compounding rate of 10% a month is on that...
Well from previous trips, I've so far found that low ' 3 digit 'mph pace seems ok on the motorway sections. On return to calais last year, I was flashed up at 120 to move over by a 911 turbo,so I assume he got to his Ferry on time!
I have seen mobile cameras, but only on the smaller roads leading through towns which is expected.
I have seen mobile cameras, but only on the smaller roads leading through towns which is expected.
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