French road manners
Discussion
Prompted by having got back at the weekend from a week-long, 2000 mile round trip in France, most of it on the autoroutes, and by the dribble-worthy behaviour of the UK's moronic motorists, I have to say that French road manners take some beating. Basically, they move over when want to pass, although French garages are to be roundly castigated for igoring the obvious faults in their customers' vehicles' indicator systems.
Today on the other hand, I followed a van all the way from Brighton to Lewes on the dual carriageway A27. For about 5 miles he sat in the outside lane at 60mph, overtaking the odd car (you know, Allegros etc
) from time to time but with plenty room to pull over and let me past. I sat there, right-hand indicator on (excellent French practice in my view, less aggressive and more legal than flashing) waiting for him to just let me past. Would he hell...? 
Today on the other hand, I followed a van all the way from Brighton to Lewes on the dual carriageway A27. For about 5 miles he sat in the outside lane at 60mph, overtaking the odd car (you know, Allegros etc
) from time to time but with plenty room to pull over and let me past. I sat there, right-hand indicator on (excellent French practice in my view, less aggressive and more legal than flashing) waiting for him to just let me past. Would he hell...? I use the indicating right to pass method as well.. usually works very well on the M3, even if the odd duffer needs a flash to get him to notice me & my indicator. I'd reckon a 95% success rate which is better than any other method and doesn't seem to irritate them.
As for European road manners, well I have to agree that France represents something of a panacea. One which is unfortunately not matched in Germany or Belgium or Netherlands.. Germany being ther home of 250Km/h tailgating and Benelux driving being the embodiment of motoring mongitude to which many UK middle lane morons aspire.
(Theres a district of south Birmingham called Middle Lane. Wonder what they make of our rants at Middle Lane Morons ..
)
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Thursday 27th February 16:16
As for European road manners, well I have to agree that France represents something of a panacea. One which is unfortunately not matched in Germany or Belgium or Netherlands.. Germany being ther home of 250Km/h tailgating and Benelux driving being the embodiment of motoring mongitude to which many UK middle lane morons aspire.
(Theres a district of south Birmingham called Middle Lane. Wonder what they make of our rants at Middle Lane Morons ..
) >> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Thursday 27th February 16:16
I never drove in the UK yet, but already have in France (!), Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Among these countries IMO the best drivers are definitely the Germans because they:
- respect lane discipline;
- ALWAYS (in my experience) use the side indicators;
- look in their mirrors;
- do not flash people because they're foreigners;
- respect other drivers regardless of the cars driven.
Among these countries IMO the best drivers are definitely the Germans because they:
- respect lane discipline;
- ALWAYS (in my experience) use the side indicators;
- look in their mirrors;
- do not flash people because they're foreigners;
- respect other drivers regardless of the cars driven.
I'm not convinced.
Every day i have to deal with des numpties in their renault 4's who:
- never indicate on roundabouts
- stop to pick up their mates/pretty girls at the side of the road with no warning
- weave about, clearly pissed after lunch
- park anywhere and everywhere. There's a seemingly tacit understanding that you can block any exit/entrance as long as you're within audible range of someone leaning on the horn
- pull over at the slightest tingle in their trousers so as to relieve themselves in full view of all and sundry.
- oh, and there are far too many espaces/scenics charging around completely blocking the view for everyone behind
While lane discipline is generally much better than in Britain, when it's holiday time (last week) it all degenerates into a line of cars in the outside lane, all with their indicators on all the way home to paris. They don't even want to go all that fast, they just want to look big.
Every day i have to deal with des numpties in their renault 4's who:
- never indicate on roundabouts
- stop to pick up their mates/pretty girls at the side of the road with no warning
- weave about, clearly pissed after lunch
- park anywhere and everywhere. There's a seemingly tacit understanding that you can block any exit/entrance as long as you're within audible range of someone leaning on the horn
- pull over at the slightest tingle in their trousers so as to relieve themselves in full view of all and sundry.
- oh, and there are far too many espaces/scenics charging around completely blocking the view for everyone behind
While lane discipline is generally much better than in Britain, when it's holiday time (last week) it all degenerates into a line of cars in the outside lane, all with their indicators on all the way home to paris. They don't even want to go all that fast, they just want to look big.
Quite agree, Manek. 
I'm sure Castex knows more than yours truly but, IMHE (where E = experience), along with the consistency of sublime architecture and persistently photogenic scenery, the French are to be generally congratulated for being SO much better ito lane discipline than the rabble who somehow possess driving licences ici.
Quite simply, if you're in a vehicle which is clearly flying violently towards the view in one or indeed both of their mirrors (yes, mirrors - they actually use these bewildering instruments, you Micra driving wrteches!}, they generally stay put UNTIL you've past.
Jolly decent of 'em.
Whereas here, the tiniest gap, in the wholly inadequate CPUs of large swathes of our motoring numpitia, means that it's odds on, even were you to loom large in JD's Macca, you'll be slamming on the anchors time and again.
And it's just SO unnecessary and SO fecking dorment.
Infernal peasants.
I'm sure Castex knows more than yours truly but, IMHE (where E = experience), along with the consistency of sublime architecture and persistently photogenic scenery, the French are to be generally congratulated for being SO much better ito lane discipline than the rabble who somehow possess driving licences ici.
Quite simply, if you're in a vehicle which is clearly flying violently towards the view in one or indeed both of their mirrors (yes, mirrors - they actually use these bewildering instruments, you Micra driving wrteches!}, they generally stay put UNTIL you've past.
Jolly decent of 'em.
Whereas here, the tiniest gap, in the wholly inadequate CPUs of large swathes of our motoring numpitia, means that it's odds on, even were you to loom large in JD's Macca, you'll be slamming on the anchors time and again.
And it's just SO unnecessary and SO fecking dorment.
Infernal peasants.
French autoroute driving is pretty spot on it has to be said, but in the more urban areas - towns, cities etc its completely BONKERS and i would say worse than the UK.
Best trick i found is to have two mighty air horns under the bonnet as french horns are all those really weedy ones... When a chap pulled out in front of me on a roundabout last year on way to le mans i gave him the ol' two tone!! Que one look of absolute terror and subsequent screech of brakes to dead stop on roundabout from our friend in the peugeout!!
But dont EVEN talk to me out the italians - the crazy fcukers!!! Never have i been tailgated before at 120mph, where the mercedes (german taxi shite!!) behind decided i needed a gentle nudge to clear me out of his path, even though the inside lane was chocker.
Mind you i did enjoy the "90' handbrake turn to join traffic queue" style of driving in Naples, although the missus wasnt too impressed!!!
The one thing that pi55ed me off coming home from le mns last year was watching the UK registered cars driving really politely and consideratly on the french side, moving over when asked, not staying in the outside lane too long etc, but when on the UK side the same cars stayed in outside lane/middle lane and didnt give a flying fig for anyone else - why the change in attitude???
Best trick i found is to have two mighty air horns under the bonnet as french horns are all those really weedy ones... When a chap pulled out in front of me on a roundabout last year on way to le mans i gave him the ol' two tone!! Que one look of absolute terror and subsequent screech of brakes to dead stop on roundabout from our friend in the peugeout!!
But dont EVEN talk to me out the italians - the crazy fcukers!!! Never have i been tailgated before at 120mph, where the mercedes (german taxi shite!!) behind decided i needed a gentle nudge to clear me out of his path, even though the inside lane was chocker.
Mind you i did enjoy the "90' handbrake turn to join traffic queue" style of driving in Naples, although the missus wasnt too impressed!!!
The one thing that pi55ed me off coming home from le mns last year was watching the UK registered cars driving really politely and consideratly on the french side, moving over when asked, not staying in the outside lane too long etc, but when on the UK side the same cars stayed in outside lane/middle lane and didnt give a flying fig for anyone else - why the change in attitude???
Buffalo said: French autoroute driving is pretty spot on it has to be said, but in the more urban areas - towns, cities etc its completely BONKERS and i would say worse than the UK.
Best trick i found is to have two mighty air horns under the bonnet as french horns are all those really weedy ones... When a chap pulled out in front of me on a roundabout last year on way to le mans i gave him the ol' two tone!! Que one look of absolute terror and subsequent screech of brakes to dead stop on roundabout from our friend in the peugeout!!
ah yes!!! i remeber that, the poor guy almost had a heart attack!!!
lol he he he very good. best one all week.
CarZee said: Germany being ther home of 250Km/h tailgating
You shouldn't be dawdling at anything less then, should you Carzee!!!!! oot the fcekin wayee maaan...........
Outside lane is for hooners and FAST SPEEDS ONLY. The majority of Brits I see in germany ar doing about 90kmh between trucks and getting pushed by them as they're too afraid to join the 200+ outside lane club!!!!
Aaaahh life starts at 300kph plus!!!!
At least we don't have too many of the average Mumptie as described in GB (on the motorway at least!)... Some but not everyone...............
I remember seeing a big difference when driving from Holland into Germany - In dutchland everyone was pottering along in that chilled out dutch way, not rushing, taking it easy. Crossed the border though and MEEP MEEP you musst get out ze fast lane INSTANTLY, I have ze beemer!!!
More fun than scandinavia though, christ that was dull. 2000kms from Copenhagen up to Bergen and back and a total of 3 police cars seen. Despite that it's 5kmh under the limit all the way, everyone leaves a 10 second gap, NO-body overtakes and you can go 15 miles without touching the brakes and/or engaging brain. All this on beautifully smooth, open roads too. They do not know they were born. Oh and a 90kmh limit on the MOTORWAY in Norway!!
In the UK though I've come to the conclusion that people are now ashamed to use the inside lane
Surely a decent publicity campaign (along the lines of 'Hey you, middle lane boy, PULL THE F^CK OVER'!) and a bit of police enforcement would sort this out and decrease congestion too?
More fun than scandinavia though, christ that was dull. 2000kms from Copenhagen up to Bergen and back and a total of 3 police cars seen. Despite that it's 5kmh under the limit all the way, everyone leaves a 10 second gap, NO-body overtakes and you can go 15 miles without touching the brakes and/or engaging brain. All this on beautifully smooth, open roads too. They do not know they were born. Oh and a 90kmh limit on the MOTORWAY in Norway!!
In the UK though I've come to the conclusion that people are now ashamed to use the inside lane
Surely a decent publicity campaign (along the lines of 'Hey you, middle lane boy, PULL THE F^CK OVER'!) and a bit of police enforcement would sort this out and decrease congestion too?
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