2018 European Driving & Warnings thread
Discussion
Anyone back from any trips to the continent recently ? Need to be a bit careful with the legalities here, but am interested if anyone has any direct feedback about particular areas/countries to possibly avoid or to “take extra care”, speeding crackdowns on foreigners for example.
I saw another thread where Switzerland was mentioned as not being particularly “car friendly”, so definitely worth “taking extra care” over there I believe.
Am not too worried about minor infractions, but would prefer to avoid outright car seizure and a night in the cells
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Am not planning the next Gumball btw! He says...
I saw another thread where Switzerland was mentioned as not being particularly “car friendly”, so definitely worth “taking extra care” over there I believe.
Am not too worried about minor infractions, but would prefer to avoid outright car seizure and a night in the cells
.Am not planning the next Gumball btw! He says...
Avoid France at all costs. Zero tolerance, bordering on the racist, for British motorists. I was stopped doing 14 kph over the limit in the countryside. Got an instant ban, followed up by a full 3 month ban and and upcoming visit to court to determine the fine. All for 'only' 14 kph over the 90 kph limit.
I won't be voluntarily travelling through France in the future other than to get to more civilised countries.
I won't be voluntarily travelling through France in the future other than to get to more civilised countries.
I’ve found to my repeated cost (I’m a slow learner!) that fixed speed cameras in Belgium have almost zero tolerance built in. Unlike the UK where you can safely go +10%, my advice is do not exceed the stated limit and watch for high limit to low limit zones with cameras, they get you immediately!
+1 on the French (now) being very very hot on speeding Brits. A good friend of mine had his M5 confiscated by the French police on our way to Le Mans. 9 months later, 2x French court appearances, 750Euro fine, transporter & storage costs he got the car back. fwiw he was lasered travelling at 183kmh on a motorway so while (imo) a harsh penalty was clearly taking the p***
My advice on the motorways would be use cruise control if you have it to limit creeping over the wet & dry limits.
Many euro countries now have access to the DVLA database so if you are snapped by a static camera expect to receive a fine through the post to the cars registered UK address.
Some further details here
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/wha...
Other advice would be to use Waze, Tomtom or something similar to alert you of static and average speed traps. Be careful tho' as some countries will fine you for having such tech!
I did Calais - Reims - Spa and back three weeks ago. No unpleasant surprises through the letterbox yet (fingers crossed). We were generally a bit over the limit but not taking the piss and slowed for cameras (when we saw them). In Belgium there did seem to be warning signs on the motorways in advance of cameras, so once you've figured out what they look like (low grey box in the centre) then reasonably easy to spot.
General advice if you want to stay safe is the hopefully obvious drive like the locals, and go to Germany for some unrestricted autobahn if you want some serious speed.
General advice if you want to stay safe is the hopefully obvious drive like the locals, and go to Germany for some unrestricted autobahn if you want some serious speed.
smudger911 said:
Many euro countries now have access to the DVLA database so if you are snapped by a static camera expect to receive a fine through the post to the cars registered UK address.
What I love about this is that we don't really have a reciprocal agreement... All of the congestion charge fines, etc etc..Gareth220 said:
Avoid France at all costs. Zero tolerance, bordering on the racist, for British motorists. I was stopped doing 14 kph over the limit in the countryside. Got an instant ban, followed up by a full 3 month ban and and upcoming visit to court to determine the fine. All for 'only' 14 kph over the 90 kph limit.
I won't be voluntarily travelling through France in the future other than to get to more civilised countries.
There has to be more to this story?I won't be voluntarily travelling through France in the future other than to get to more civilised countries.
Because the figures simply don't match the punishment structure.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
anyone going through France might want to read this story on Biker Banter - 130kph in a 90kph non-motorway I believehttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
DS240 said:
Gareth220 said:
Avoid France at all costs. Zero tolerance, bordering on the racist, for British motorists. I was stopped doing 14 kph over the limit in the countryside. Got an instant ban, followed up by a full 3 month ban and and upcoming visit to court to determine the fine. All for 'only' 14 kph over the 90 kph limit.
I won't be voluntarily travelling through France in the future other than to get to more civilised countries.
There has to be more to this story?I won't be voluntarily travelling through France in the future other than to get to more civilised countries.
Because the figures simply don't match the punishment structure.
I did the Wick to Nice run in my old S2000 a few years ago (as you do...) and had no issues whatsoever. But I don't think at this point they had access to the DVLA databases.
Did a day trip to Belgium in the Cayman in Apr and rush hour traffic both ways put a stop to any real fun.
Apparently they're especially stringent (with bigger fines) when it's a speed limit in an emissions zone, there are signs as you enter and leave them so keep an eye out.
Did a day trip to Belgium in the Cayman in Apr and rush hour traffic both ways put a stop to any real fun.
Apparently they're especially stringent (with bigger fines) when it's a speed limit in an emissions zone, there are signs as you enter and leave them so keep an eye out.
I’ve just driven down to the centre of France and kept to the speed limit for every km and have done whilst driving around sightseeing.
I feel more at ease driving in the UK however my experience of being stopped driving down the LM made me think twice.
I suspect the years of total abuse by brits have now come to an end rather abruptly.
I feel more at ease driving in the UK however my experience of being stopped driving down the LM made me think twice.
I suspect the years of total abuse by brits have now come to an end rather abruptly.
Upnorthgt3 said:
I’m off to Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany next week with 3 GT3s, an M3 and my GT4 in the group - I was proper looking forward to it until I read this thread.........
Just back from 8 days driving through France, Swiss, Italy, Austria and Germany with a group of 6 Porsches.. 10 hours of driving every day at least.Never had any problem
Roadtrips are not just about speed, .enjoy the roads, scenery, your car and the other cars. Enjoy the food and company of the others.
Make a party of it.
Can't wait untill my roadtrip to Le Mans 24h.
Be very careful if driving through Switzerland, especially if travelling in convoy with other cars.
The Swiss border police will alert neighbouring canton police to your impending arrival and as will pull you over on masse for Insurance and license checks.
Missing front numberplates and driving over the speed limit however small is treated as a civil crime and fined accordingly.
I’d avoid Switzerland, but neighbouring Italy and Austria appear to be less draconian.
The Swiss border police will alert neighbouring canton police to your impending arrival and as will pull you over on masse for Insurance and license checks.
Missing front numberplates and driving over the speed limit however small is treated as a civil crime and fined accordingly.
I’d avoid Switzerland, but neighbouring Italy and Austria appear to be less draconian.
The fines in Switzerland are ruinous, based on your income, and the amount you are exceeding the limit. Can run into serious, serious money, in multiples of your monthly income. Google this. In France unlike Cmoose's experience I did once encounter a speed trap in what to me seemed to be the middle of no-where. I was pure luck that I was not over the limit. Have also seen motorcyclists get pulled over for wheelieing again not on any motorway.
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