French police roadside ban for speeding

[J B L]

psychoR1 said:

For many years the French have had an issue with casualty rates on their roads - hardly surprising given the remoteness of some areas e.g. Massif Central, Ardeche etc and the casual attitude to speeding locals and tourists has gone. I'm sure those remote regions also have lots of issues with drink/drug driving also. The French approach has gradually become more and more rigid. What would have got you a serious ticking off 20 years ago will now get your bike or car confiscated.

https://www.thelocal.fr/20170724/france-road-death...

I, like some on here, used to tour France with a casual regard for the speed limits in sparsely populated areas. Those days are now gone and when you look at the issues the French have had with casualty rates you cannot blame them for clamping down.

My point is - wherever you are you need to respect the local motoring laws and local approach to it. If you choose to ignore the laws then you need to understand the consequences.

If the above means that you won't travel through France then I don't think you will be missed.

I'd point out though that many, many accident are down to drink driving, falling asleep at the wheel and nowadays, mobile phone use. Speed has a little proportion to do with it.

The other vectors do require costly proactive police presence whilst issuing fines for speeding (a superbly automated process nowadays in France) is easy and fills the coffers nicely, hence the lowering of the limit to 80kph.


Reading stats will tell you that a major proportion of fatal accidents are caused by human behaviour:
- 31% by driving under the influence of alcohol
- 25% is speeding*
- 8% from sleepiness
- 8% from distraction such as mobiles or fiddling the radio

21% of those killed weren't wearing a seatbelt and 6% weren't wearing a helmet!

Regarding the speeding stat above. Is included in "speeding" > speeding in town is the most lethal. An impact with a pedestrian at 50kph is almost all the time lethal whereas an impact at 30kph reduces the risk drastically.





In short....money grabbing

[feef]

Some folk are asking for it tho:

https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Police...

[fergus]

black-k1 said:

.....but would result in a fine under the current limits and a possible immediate ban when the limit reduces....

David, apologies if this has already been mentioned elsewhere in the thread, but do you have details on the new limits and when these are likely to come into force? Thanks

[Birky_41]

I just got back having done alot of miles in various parts of France

Avoided all motorways and the roads I was on although I didnt take the piss I was often 80-110mph

No issues for me or my lot of 5

[anonymous-user]

I must have been lucky last year, was sat anywhere between 110 and 120 on the Autoroute. Waze is helpful with the fixed cameras. The roads are mostly pretty quiet the times I was on them and generally I would gauge my speed with other motorists, I had a couple come past me even at that speed.

[black-k1]

fergus said:

black-k1 said:

.....but would result in a fine under the current limits and a possible immediate ban when the limit reduces....

David, apologies if this has already been mentioned elsewhere in the thread, but do you have details on the new limits and when these are likely to come into force? Thanks

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/speed-limits-in-france/

[anonymous-user]

The RAC said:

British drivers heading to France are also advised that driving without a ‘clean air’ sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette – which costs as little as £3.70 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.

What a joke.

[Andy XRV]

black-k1 said:

Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy etc. can now benefit from our annual attempt to run the petrol pumps dry at the local garage and to drink the hotel out of beer. (The second target was achieved this year by the second day!!!)

Austria is far worse than France and as the fines are income relate for your group the fines could be huge...

[bad company]

yonex said:

The RAC said:

British drivers heading to France are also advised that driving without a ‘clean air’ sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette – which costs as little as £3.70 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.

What a joke.

Yet another reason to avoid Frogland.

[NDA]

bad company said:

yonex said:

The RAC said:

British drivers heading to France are also advised that driving without a ‘clean air’ sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette – which costs as little as £3.70 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.

What a joke.

Yet another reason to avoid Frogland.

And some confusion about a breathalyser kit too....

I wonder if those who enjoy motoring in France might eventually choose to go elsewhere? I am in two minds about it....

I have driven many thousands of miles in France over the years and have, on occasion, when presented with a clear empty motorway in perfect conditions, driven at over the speed limit. Nowadays the penalties are so severe that it might mean me and my Euros go elsewhere.

There will be the usual cries from the 'it's not that difficult to stick to speed limit' brigade.

[feef]

yonex said:

The RAC said:

British drivers heading to France are also advised that driving without a ‘clean air’ sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette – which costs as little as £3.70 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.

What a joke.

Only in specific areas/cities, and the fine only is in effect if you're driving in those zones during a pollution enforcement incident without a sticker, or a sticker that's not of sufficient grade.

It's a bit like the LEZ, but the enforcements in France are temporary based on air-quality, rather than permanent like the LEZ

[anonymous-user]

NDA said:

And some confusion about a breathalyser kit too....

I wonder if those who enjoy motoring in France might eventually choose to go elsewhere? I am in two minds about it....

I have driven many thousands of miles in France over the years and have, on occasion, when presented with a clear empty motorway in perfect conditions, driven at over the speed limit. Nowadays the penalties are so severe that it might mean me and my Euros go elsewhere.

There will be the usual cries from the 'it's not that difficult to stick to speed limit' brigade.

As work takes me there it's not easy. I have a breathalyser kit but was unaware about this latest champagne fund

[black-k1]

NDA said:

bad company said:

yonex said:

The RAC said:

British drivers heading to France are also advised that driving without a ‘clean air’ sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette – which costs as little as £3.70 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.

What a joke.

Yet another reason to avoid Frogland.

And some confusion about a breathalyser kit too....

I wonder if those who enjoy motoring in France might eventually choose to go elsewhere? I am in two minds about it....

I have driven many thousands of miles in France over the years and have, on occasion, when presented with a clear empty motorway in perfect conditions, driven at over the speed limit. Nowadays the penalties are so severe that it might mean me and my Euros go elsewhere.

There will be the usual cries from the 'it's not that difficult to stick to speed limit' brigade.

Breathalyser kit rules typically French. You are required to carry one but there is no penalty if you don't!!!

The other one to watch for on the bike is that you must wear gloves and they must be labeled with the correct CE certification number. (I can't remember what it is but Google will help if you're interested.)

Andy XRV said:

black-k1 said:

Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy etc. can now benefit from our annual attempt to run the petrol pumps dry at the local garage and to drink the hotel out of beer. (The second target was achieved this year by the second day!!!)

Austria is far worse than France and as the fines are income relate for your group the fines could be huge...

I've not been to Austria before but was under the impression that they were just a bit "over enthusiastic" on enforcement. Other Old Gits suggested it wasn't too bad. I'll make Austria bottom of my "acceptable destinations" list so I'll probably end up in Spain, Italy or Germany.

[Andy XRV]

black-k1 said:

NDA said:

bad company said:

yonex said:

The RAC said:

British drivers heading to France are also advised that driving without a ‘clean air’ sticker, known as a Crit’Air vignette – which costs as little as £3.70 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.

What a joke.

Yet another reason to avoid Frogland.

And some confusion about a breathalyser kit too....

I wonder if those who enjoy motoring in France might eventually choose to go elsewhere? I am in two minds about it....

I have driven many thousands of miles in France over the years and have, on occasion, when presented with a clear empty motorway in perfect conditions, driven at over the speed limit. Nowadays the penalties are so severe that it might mean me and my Euros go elsewhere.

There will be the usual cries from the 'it's not that difficult to stick to speed limit' brigade.

Breathalyser kit rules typically French. You are required to carry one but there is no penalty if you don't!!!

The other one to watch for on the bike is that you must wear gloves and they must be labeled with the correct CE certification number. (I can't remember what it is but Google will help if you're interested.)

Andy XRV said:

black-k1 said:

Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy etc. can now benefit from our annual attempt to run the petrol pumps dry at the local garage and to drink the hotel out of beer. (The second target was achieved this year by the second day!!!)

Austria is far worse than France and as the fines are income relate for your group the fines could be huge...

I've not been to Austria before but was under the impression that they were just a bit "over enthusiastic" on enforcement. Other Old Gits suggested it wasn't too bad. I'll make Austria bottom of my "acceptable destinations" list so I'll probably end up in Spain, Italy or Germany.

I get the feeling that Germany maybe quite busy next year