Flashed in France
Discussion
Well, just returned from a weeks skiing in Andorra which was great. However, on the return journey I was flashed by a forward facing camera on the A10, just north of Touloise. Wasn't going that fast, probably about 125kph in a 110 limit. Really safe that, having a full on flash in the face at dusk 
Then to top it off, a white Pug estate flashed my dad the next day doing 130km whilst it was raining (limit was 110). Sneeky buggers!
My questions are:
1) Are they likely to persue us for the fines?
2) And, more importantly, can I get points on my UK licence for this?
3) The car's regestered in my dads name, so presumably they'll send the fines to him?
cheers
Then to top it off, a white Pug estate flashed my dad the next day doing 130km whilst it was raining (limit was 110). Sneeky buggers!
My questions are:
1) Are they likely to persue us for the fines?
2) And, more importantly, can I get points on my UK licence for this?
3) The car's regestered in my dads name, so presumably they'll send the fines to him?
cheers
Exactly the same thing happened to me a few months ago on an autoroute north of Paris. I was driving the boss's car at circa 135kph in a 130 limit. 
It was a forward facing scamera in the middle of the motorway.
Nothing happened, the advice I got was that they don't persue foreign cars. check my profile for the "Merde! le scamera" thread.
I shouldn't worry too much.
It was a forward facing scamera in the middle of the motorway.
Nothing happened, the advice I got was that they don't persue foreign cars. check my profile for the "Merde! le scamera" thread.
I shouldn't worry too much.
Cheers guys I confirm you have absolutely nothing to worry about from
automatic cameras with UK plates.
Since France has followed in the footsteps of the UK recently
, and started to install scameras, French driver behavior has radically changed. Take now the long motorway stretch from Paris to Lyon, and where 2 years ago cars were driving at 170-180 consitently (Without any problem by the way, one of the lowest accident rate per miles...), now virtually everyone slugs it out at 130 kph. It is tiring and sleep inducing at this speed, but this is my view.....
The only cars that passes French reged cars are Swiss, British and Italian, last June over 30% of cars flashed for breaking the limits were foreign since they have total immunity.
Hence the drive to link the various scamera systems Europwide, and create a process to pass on the offender's details and speed to his original country.....It will go both ways for a French driver caught in the UK (Me....
) It won't happen for a while though......
As stated above you'll be OK if only flashed, until they finally get together and create a EuroPlod for traffic offences. In this case, note also that they have forward and backward facing scameras, but because they can not compel you (under froggy law) to say who was driving, if they don't have a photo of you at the wheel you can say you weren't driving and they only give you an administrative fine - no points. ALWAYS ASK TO SEE THE PHOTO!
However, they can also zap you on the autoroute with a radar gun then stop you when you slow down for the peage (tolls). In this latter case be prepared to drop your kecks and take it deeply, as they (illegally according to european legislation) impound vehicles until you pay an on the spot fine, credit cards accepted, that'll do nicely me old son.
I sympathise with the point of view that the backward facing cameras are dangerous as hell - I was zapped in the face at 200 km/h at 2 in the morning on a dark and empty dual carriageway a few years ago. God knows how many 100 of metres you then drive completely blind, as your scalded retinas take a paracetamol and gradually hobble back to work.
However, they can also zap you on the autoroute with a radar gun then stop you when you slow down for the peage (tolls). In this latter case be prepared to drop your kecks and take it deeply, as they (illegally according to european legislation) impound vehicles until you pay an on the spot fine, credit cards accepted, that'll do nicely me old son.
I sympathise with the point of view that the backward facing cameras are dangerous as hell - I was zapped in the face at 200 km/h at 2 in the morning on a dark and empty dual carriageway a few years ago. God knows how many 100 of metres you then drive completely blind, as your scalded retinas take a paracetamol and gradually hobble back to work.
Oh yeah, one thing I forgot to say. Presumably EuroPlodisation will require harmonisation of the notification rules. The British bibs have 14 days to serve a NIP - in France, due to the byzantine and hugely inefficient civil service, they allow monsieur le cop 1 year to contact you regarding your speeding offence. They'll just have to invest in faster frogs I suppose...
Peter Ward said:
.... The British bibs have 14 days to serve a NIP - in France, due to the byzantine and hugely inefficient civil service, they allow monsieur le cop 1 year to contact you regarding your speeding offence....
"Sorry, I can't remember where I was 364 days ago". Would that do?
Ah, but Meester Ward, we 'ave a photo of you at zee wheel of your Ferrari.....so it won't really help saying you don't remember. This defense is valid if they either don't have a photo or you cannot be discerned in said evidence.
I have seriously considered equipping myself with a Jacques Chirac or Phoney Tony rubber mask for those occasions when I want to make particularly brisk progress, then just pay the administrative fine. Problem is that I'm frightened of seeing the inside of a french prison, as they have a helluva reputation.....
phatgixer said:
I had one flash me when I was doing over 180mph in France.
Never heard a dickie bird.
........I was however riding my gixxer.
Blimey - you were probably out of frame at that speed , or they ended up with a smashing photo of your back wheel. Having seen your hooligan antics at VMax, you're obviously the right man for the job - do me favour and come over to France and drive through a few radars at 200 mph with a Chirac mask on....with a bit of luck it might make them change their policies.
I have seen photos taken by temporary radars on the peripherique - must have been kids in a stolen car, but they went back a couple of times and drove the radar trap giving moonies to the camera. Identify that you bastard... hehe
nel said:
However, they can also zap you on the autoroute with a radar gun then stop you when you slow down for the peage (tolls). In this latter case be prepared to drop your kecks and take it deeply, as they (illegally according to european legislation) impound vehicles until you pay an on the spot fine, credit cards accepted, that'll do nicely me old son.
Do they take plastic now? I wish they had 3 years ago, (when I got done for 201 km/h), as they made me follow them off the autoroute to a bank to change some currency - all in I lost about 1 hour - in fact I had to drive even faster to get to my ferry on time!
I got flashed at 240 km/h in 2003. I slowed down to 120 (under the sspeed limit) and waited for the inevitable Frog Police car to pull me over, but it never happened. Perhpas it was the other UK-registered M3 that flew past me at well over 200 that took the rap for me.
Since them, having taken advice from French friends, I stick to 160, unless I am on a long straight where I can see that le Plod is not lurking.
Just in case anyone thinks driving fast in France is irresponsible, the French autoroutes are the best roads in Europe by far and many of them are nearly empty much of the time.
Since them, having taken advice from French friends, I stick to 160, unless I am on a long straight where I can see that le Plod is not lurking.
Just in case anyone thinks driving fast in France is irresponsible, the French autoroutes are the best roads in Europe by far and many of them are nearly empty much of the time.
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