Speeding in France

[david500]

I am not a speed demon (hmmm), but as I am driving down the whole length of france soon thought I would ask if anyone has any comments on speeding and what happens if you are caught and how to avoid it over there.

Or should I just get a speed detector?

[raceboy]

Check out some of the Le Mans/speeding & plod threads, a radar detector is a definate NO NO the French Filth will eat you alive if they find you with one
Speeding fines are a bit on the large side as well, £500ish on the spot + more pending court case + confiscating of Driving Licence,
Just don't get caught

>> Edited by raceboy on Wednesday 19th June 14:52

[trefor]

If you're taking the Autoroutes then stopping for petrol is enough to keep your average speed down (if they ever try to measure your speed between 2 tolls - don't think they do this now, but you never know). Also watch out for french cars/vans parked on the hard shoulder - they sit in the back and radar you, radioing ahead to the next toll booth where you get pulled. I've only seen this on the A26 back towards Calais but I guess they do it elsewhere too.

Best thing is to take the N roads that usually run parallel to the autoroute - much more fun. Many are even Dual Carriageways.

T/.

[redgriff500]

Just back from Le Mans - again - the police presence seemed very low - only saw one speed trap and we were notified by all the french drivers flashing their lights well in advance - they don't wear flouresent so are very hard to spot.We cruised at 100 on the toll roads with no probs.Generally you are unlikely to get caught but if you are the fines are horrific.

[jeffgleed]

The French seem completely random in their views of speeding. It seems that the more interesting the vehicle the more likely you are to get away with it. Some of the bike magazine videos show them getting away with outrageous behaviour e.g. getting saluted by a cop 911 whilst cruising at 150MPH. Cops taking part in a video shoot on a stretch of motorway with Brits doing wheelies at over 100MPH and most amazingly turning a blind eye to a couple of them cruising all the way to the South of France at an indicated 210MPH (Really around 190MPH). Yet you hear tell of people being nailed to a wall for fairly minor speeds! I did a treasure hunt where 4 Porsches were dicing for position (using both sides of the road) when one of them smashed into a Ford Jellymould. The policeman had a look at all the nice cars, shrugged his shoulders and said the driver of the Ford should have been paying closer attention to the speeds of the other cars. The 4 sets of skid marks all over the road seemed of no interest. And we all toddled on our way (even the broken Porsche was driveable, the Ford was in 2 parts)

[Heliox]

I agree with trefor,avoid the toll roads if time permits and use the green signs for the Route National.They are free to use although slower than the payage or toll roads but you get to see more of the real France.
Nothing catches TVR's in the mountains!

[ross]

a mate of mine got stopped on the weekend. doing 181k autoroute heading back to calais. he got off with a £90 fine. apparently the level for 190kph is e5000 on the spot or car impounding + court appearance. which would hurt. so keep below 115mph!