A Warning If You're Driving In France

[Lordbenny]

Just got back from the Cannonball Run Europe (Full report in a few days!)

Just to let you know that the rumour is true that if you speed between tolls and you use a credit card you may well be fined instantly and you won't know this until you read your bank statement. It happened to at least one of out guys (approx 250 Euros) so beware!

[BlackCup]

Bloody hell sneaky frogs! Two different people's cards or cash it is then!

[jack_st]

i'm going to france next month and someone warned me at that aswell.

[McClure]

I'd not heard that before; thanks for the warning.

[mrmr96]

BlackCup said:

Bloody hell sneaky frogs! Two different people's cards or cash it is then!

I don't think you've fully understood how this works....

[BlackCup]

mrmr96 said:

I don't think you've fully understood how this works....

What i understand is that they are using the tolls like average speed cameras, time noted at one toll when paying on a card, then noting the time at the next toll if using the same card and working out if you did that distance too quickly (and therefore illegally) and fining you.
So to avoid this can you not pay on your card for one toll, then on someone else's with a different name who maybe in your car (e.g a friend) for the next, or cash. Or have the tolls changed in the last 3 years i've not been to France?

Matt

Edited by BlackCup on Wednesday 11th July 23:35

[puntograle]

Does that mean that if you pay cash then they will demand the fine at the next toll? Or atleast if paying to the manned booth?

[MKnight702]

What about, here's a thought, not treating the French roads like a race track?

[blueg33]

The solution to the problem is always take lunch or a cofee break whilst on the autoroute.

One year when our Le Mans convoy reached the toll booth after a spririted drive, the toll booth operator looked bat the ticket, grinned and said "that is a good time, next time we fine you"

[mrmr96]

BlackCup said:

mrmr96 said:

I don't think you've fully understood how this works....

What i understand is that they are using the tolls like average speed cameras, time noted at one toll when paying on a card, then noting the time at the next toll if using the same card and working out if you did that distance too quickly (and therefore illegally) and fining you.
So to avoid this can you not pay on your card for one toll, then on someone else's with a different name who maybe in your car (e.g a friend) for the next, or cash. Or have the tolls changed in the last 3 years i've not been to France?

Matt

Edited by BlackCup on Wednesday 11th July 23:35

They will be taking the start time when you collect your toll ticket, and your end time when you pay at the other end of the motorway. So its time on one ticket, not time between payments on the same card.

[Mark.]

MKnight702 said:

What about, here's a thought, not treating the French roads like a race track?

I mean really, and miss the chance for a bit of frog bashing

[Thejimreaper]

MKnight702 said:

What about, here's a thought, not treating the French roads like a race track?

What other reason is there to visit France??!!

[blueg33]

Thejimreaper said:

What other reason is there to visit France??!!

Food
Wine
Topless beaches - Cap d'agde

[Thejimreaper]

blueg33 said:

Food
Wine
Topless beaches - Cap d'agde

Oh yeah!! fair one!!

[nonuts]

Lordbenny said:

Just to let you know that the rumour is true that if you speed between tolls and you use a credit card you may well be fined instantly and you won't know this until you read your bank statement. It happened to at least one of out guys (approx 250 Euros) so beware!

Can you explain what this showed up on his statement as? Was it just shown as a massive toll charge or both the toll charge and a fine?

[Lordbenny]

Cant tell what showed up on his statement he just told me that there was a huge fine!

The reason they dont charge you on the spot is that the tolls arn't supervised by people, just machines.

[Lordbenny]

swerni said:

Which makes Matt's point 100% valid.

Pay by cash and how are they going to fine you?

They cant!

[pincher]

Lordbenny said:

The reason they dont charge you on the spot is that the tolls arn't supervised by people, just machines.

Really??

[Ian1976]

Lordbenny said:

The reason they dont charge you on the spot is that the tolls arn't supervised by people, just machines.

Smaller toll areas are automated but the larger areas have manned lanes in addition to the automated and toll tag lanes.

[andrew]

nonuts said:

Can you explain what this showed up on his statement as? Was it just shown as a massive toll charge or both the toll charge and a fine?

why ?

are you thinking that we could claim these on expenses ???