Le Mans Speeding Fines

[PetrolTed]

I was sent the following image by a PHer who says it was accidentally given a copy of the document when done for speeding last year.

[gt5s_1985]

Right. So if I read that correctly, if you keep it at speed limit +39 you are ok. Once you start to get about 40 k/hr over (170 on the autoroute) you start to have problems with them wanting your license...

[shnozz]

thats handy as at least it shows some conformatity. I appreciate its last years and the french transport minister is on a mission but its still a useful guideline.

Can anyone properly translate it?

is it basically?

<40kph over limit = 90 euro fine
<50 kph over limit = 135 euros plus they take your licence
50> kph = 750 euros and they take your licence.




>> Edited by shnozz on Tuesday 8th June 11:39

[HarryW]

Interesting, I assume to deliberately target British motorist is OK within the laws of EU, including human rights . In fact it could be construed to be racist IMHO. Imagine a british plod, "today we will be after all 'F' stickered cars" .

Bottom line though, those are stiff on the spot penalties, someone refresh my memory on what the speed limits are across the board please.

Harry

[gt5s_1985]

HarryW said:

Interesting, I assume to deliberately target British motorist is OK within the laws of EU, including human rights . In fact it could be construed to be racist IMHO. Imagine a british plod, "today we will be after all 'F' stickered cars" . Bottom line though, those are stiff on the spot penalties, someone refresh my memory on what the speed limits are across the board please. Harry

There's nothing in there that implies they are going after British motorists. Actually, they are being somewhat accomodating by requiring that the paperwork be in English so that at least you know what you are signing and what is happening.

Do the British plod have forms in French?

Speed limits are 130 on the autoroute, 110 on secondary non-autoroute, and 90 or lower on 2-lane roads...

[gt5s_1985]

shnozz said:

thats handy as at least it shows some conformatity. I appreciate its last years and the french transport minister is on a mission but its still a useful guideline. Can anyone properly translate it? is it basically? <40kph over limit = 90 euro fine <50 kph over limit = 135 euros plus they take your licence 50> kph = 750 euros and they take your licence. >> Edited by shnozz on Tuesday 8th June 11:39

Yes, that's what it says.

Actually <40 = 90 euro
between 40 and 50 over, 135 euro plus they take your license
<50 750 euros and they get your license.

(I think that this is what you meant, but just wanted to be clear...)

They also say that for 40+ over you need to fill out some paperwork (in English) so that it can be attached to the ticket... I don't know what that business about a "fiche immobilisation" is though, although it hints of confiscation?

[shnozz]

gt5s_1985 said:

shnozz said: thats handy as at least it shows some conformatity. I appreciate its last years and the french transport minister is on a mission but its still a useful guideline. Can anyone properly translate it? is it basically? <40kph over limit = 90 euro fine <50 kph over limit = 135 euros plus they take your licence 50> kph = 750 euros and they take your licence. >> Edited by shnozz on Tuesday 8th June 11:39 Yes, that's what it says. Actually <40 = 90 euro between 40 and 50 over, 135 euro plus they take your license <50 750 euros and they get your license. (I think that this is what you meant, but just wanted to be clear...) They also say that for 40+ over you need to fill out some paperwork (in English) so that it can be attached to the ticket... I don't know what that business about a "fiche immobilisation" is though, although it hints of confiscation?

so for as little as 40kph over the limit they take your licence? Does that mean no more driving in france?

what happens after that? Anyone been in this situation?

[shnozz]

and PS, I simply adore that Pantera of yours My mate has one in black and its the most awesome bit of kit for the money although I nearly fainted when he told me the cost of rear tyres

He bought his one when he was looking at italian exotics and saw the price of cambelt services etc on the ferraris and lambos. He also has 2 GT40's and compared the running costs with italian engined stuff and went straight out and bought a pantera!

[iains]

Yes I think spot on.

I agree - the bit that worries me in the last two is "fiche immobilisation (eventuellment)" which basically translates into "stop card (possibly)" - whatever one of those is?

I recall from my time in Brussels (and my few encounters with the Belgian Police) that over there this related to Parking offences and the removal of the vehicle - not sure what this means in this context?

Anyone else have any ideas?

[UK952]

gt5s_1985 said:

There's nothing in there that implies they are going after British motorists. Actually, they are being somewhat accomodating by requiring that the paperwork be in English so that at least you know what you are signing and what is happening. Do the British plod have forms in French? Speed limits are 130 on the autoroute, 110 on secondary non-autoroute, and 90 or lower on 2-lane roads...

Whats the first couple of lines about le mans and the British?

[Podie]

Put simply, they'll confiscate your car.

[shnozz]

Podie said:

Put simply, they'll confiscate your car.

so it is a nice little girly procession down to le mans this year for fear of gendarmes confiscating your P & J.

Perhaps next year we should organise a "go slow" atyle campaign from the ports to le mans at 10 mph.

[rev-erend]

It's true - I was nabbed last year and fined 750 Euros
(£530).. ouch.

Luckily we kept our licence then - although this might have changed for this year.

Strangly the french car we were travelling the same speed as - was ignored. Maybe they took his number .. who knows but it was certainly us brits who got the huge fine.

What road - I was on the N138 (around St. Mars) traveling towards Mulsane / Tet rouge corner.

Take it easy the closer you get to the circuit .. the french police do seem to have it in for us brits !

[tony_996hasgone]

shnozz said:

so for as little as 40kph over the limit they take your licence? Does that mean no more driving in france? what happens after that? Anyone been in this situation?

One of our group had his UK licence confiscated last year (about 35kmh over), and his pasenger had to drive his car.

[shnozz]

tony_996hasgone said:

shnozz said: so for as little as 40kph over the limit they take your licence? Does that mean no more driving in france? what happens after that? Anyone been in this situation? One of our group had his UK licence confiscated last year (about 35kmh over), and his pasenger had to drive his car.

thats handy if your passenger can't drive

looks like I will be sticking to the limits wave as you go past fellow PHers.

[shnozz]

rev-erend said:

It's true - I was nabbed last year and fined 750 Euros (£530).. ouch. Luckily we kept our licence then - although this might have changed for this year. Strangly the french car we were travelling the same speed as - was ignored. Maybe they took his number .. who knows but it was certainly us brits who got the huge fine. What road - I was on the N138 (around St. Mars) traveling towards Mulsane / Tet rouge corner. Take it easy the closer you get to the circuit .. the french police do seem to have it in for us brits !

jeez. what a bunch of arse. thats an expensive weekend but at least you kept your licence and your car

[shnozz]

my mate from germany is also heading down. I wonder if his plates will attract a load of grief from the gendarmes or whether its just us brits?

[shadytree]

rev-erend said:

It's true - I was nabbed last year and fined 750 Euros (£530).. ouch. Luckily we kept our licence then - although this might have changed for this year. Strangly the french car we were travelling the same speed as - was ignored. Maybe they took his number .. who knows but it was certainly us brits who got the huge fine. What road - I was on the N138 (around St. Mars) traveling towards Mulsane / Tet rouge corner. Take it easy the closer you get to the circuit .. the french police do seem to have it in for us brits !

Can I enquire at what speed Le Plod alleged you were speeding at ?

[Podie]

shnozz said:

Podie said: Put simply, they'll confiscate your car. so it is a nice little girly procession down to le mans this year for fear of gendarmes confiscating your P & J. Perhaps next year we should organise a "go slow" atyle campaign from the ports to le mans at 10 mph.

I've just found out that the brother of one of the women that works here is in the French Police... so I'll track her down after lunch..

..oh, and get her to ask her brother about this..

[rmhodv]

Another Tip.

A mate of mine is French, and I ask about the timings between tolls. He said that is was not that common, but what is very common is that when travelling down the AutoRoute the French police set up speed traps between the last exit and the toll gate. So you get caught on a road site speed trap, can't get off the AutoRoute, come to a stop at the toll and get your fine.