French Police - Be careful out there!

[Sortie 10]

Have just had a 1600 mile holiday in France. It appears that French police are on the roads in greater numbers than ever; be very careful when hitting the loud pedal. Also be wary about the very low drink-driving alcohol limits (lower than the UK).
If you have satnav it is worth downloading a Euro database - pocketgpsworld.com do one - so that you know if you are in mobile speed camera location.

I don't mean to spoil the party (the road conditions and general fun that can be had from driving are still well worth crossing the Channel for).

You have been warned!

[jamiebae]

When I was over there at our house back in January I was stopped at a 'roadblock' leaving a restaurant and breathalysed. In the UK you can't just blanket stop everyone (I think) but in France it's pretty common practice to try and combat the horrendous DD levels over there.

[boolay]

Anyone have any experience of driving through france at night? Do the Gendarms patrol the Autoroutes, or are you pretty much free to stretch your legs?

We have midnight ferry to Dunkerque, and plan to be in Le Mans for Breakfast!

[Mr_Simpson]

I drove down last year after work Calais(got off the ferry after midnight I think) to Le Mans, didn't see one policeman, and I was in a hurry

[DJFish]

Mr_Simpson said:

I drove down last year after work Calais(got off the ferry after midnight I think) to Le Mans, didn't see one policeman, and I was in a hurry

Same here, all we saw were some ladies of the night as we passed through Rouen about midnight.

[Gingerbread Man]

We drove from Le Mans to Calais over night Monday and had no problems.

[The Leaper]

Boolay,

I've done the Calais-Le Mans trip overnight on the Friday three times. Roads always seem very clear.

Several years ago it was extremely foggy between Calais and Rouen (amazing for June). On the autoroute toll near Abbeyville(I think) there were maybe a dozen police at around 1:00 am in the morning and as I was the only car emerging from the fog I got pulled over immediately after paying at the toll. I was breathalised and had a zero reading. So, my advice is if driving overnight avoid alcohol for some hours beforehand.

Also, three other things.

1. Rouen in the early morning is a doddle, no traffic at all.

2. The trip from Calais to Le Mans via the A28 south of Rouen takes around 3 hours at resonable speeds, assuming you do not wish to attract the attention of the police!

3. Think petrol: finding a station open at night in France is a problem; many will be unmanned and have card only machines but this does not mean that your card will be read and accepted; if going overnight I always take a full jerry can.

R.

[lescombes]

News from Chef de Poste (Poste 70- Mulsanne) Chief Marshal) at Le Mans..........the French put 130 mobile radar in place for the 24h Bikes and have announced openly here that they are going to put a ring of radar on the northern approaches to Le Mans in June "Contre Les Anglais Foux". Speed limit on the Autoroute is 80MPH/130KPH, Dual carriageway, unless otherwise posted is 70MPH/110KPH and 55MPH/90KPH on normal roads outside of towns.


Just so you are aware guys..................

[NormanD]

lescombes said:

News from Chef de Poste (Poste 70- Mulsanne) Chief Marshal) at Le Mans..........the French put 130 mobile radar in place for the 24h Bikes and have announced openly here that they are going to put a ring of radar on the northern approaches to Le Mans in June "Contre Les Anglais Foux". Speed limit on the Autoroute is 80MPH/130KPH, Dual carriageway, unless otherwise posted is 70MPH/110KPH and 55MPH/90KPH on normal roads outside of towns.


Just so you are aware guys..................

Thanks for the 'Heads up'

[lowdrag]

lescombes said:

News from Chef de Poste (Poste 70- Mulsanne) Chief Marshal) at Le Mans..........the French put 130 mobile radar in place for the 24h Bikes and have announced openly here that they are going to put a ring of radar on the northern approaches to Le Mans in June "Contre Les Anglais Foux". Speed limit on the Autoroute is 80MPH/130KPH, Dual carriageway, unless otherwise posted is 70MPH/110KPH and 55MPH/90KPH on normal roads outside of towns.


Just so you are aware guys..................

Hmm, what was Tony Bushe doing here during the bike race then? He only comes for the Classic and 24 hours. Er he wasn't! The bike race I've posted about elsewhere but that is the worst weekend of the year here. The council house crowd as we say. Yes, there will be radar all over on the northern approaches to Le Mans but then that has been the case for a few years now. You take the risk and it's up to you. Remember that the french allow a 10% margin on the radar so I set the cruis control at 145 kph and never get touched. Up to 30kph over the prevailing limit, 90 euros, 30-50 kph over, higher; over 50kph above the limit - you're walking.

[Little Dave]

We know on a clear motorway in the UK you are not likely to get a tug at 85mph or less. Is there the same leeway in France or do the French pull any UK plated car during June?. Also when do you think the Gendarmes will start their "Ring of Radar"? Will it be the whole week leading up to the Race or just the Thursday and Friday when the majority make the journey?

[boolay]

The Leaper said:

Boolay,

I've done the Calais-Le Mans trip overnight on the Friday three times. Roads always seem very clear.

Several years ago it was extremely foggy between Calais and Rouen (amazing for June). On the autoroute toll near Abbeyville(I think) there were maybe a dozen police at around 1:00 am in the morning and as I was the only car emerging from the fog I got pulled over immediately after paying at the toll. I was breathalised and had a zero reading. So, my advice is if driving overnight avoid alcohol for some hours beforehand.

Also, three other things.

1. Rouen in the early morning is a doddle, no traffic at all.

2. The trip from Calais to Le Mans via the A28 south of Rouen takes around 3 hours at resonable speeds, assuming you do not wish to attract the attention of the police!

3. Think petrol: finding a station open at night in France is a problem; many will be unmanned and have card only machines but this does not mean that your card will be read and accepted; if going overnight I always take a full jerry can.

R.

Thanks Leaper, I'll keep off the beers on the ferry!

Looking forward to Rouen at 4 in the morning! Should be a bit quicker than the usual lunchtime traffic jam!

Little Dave, Never had a problem cruising at 80/90 during the day. I think it's best to keep speeds below 100, anything above this is generally frowned upon!

[molestrangler]

Methinks it's the same as this country in as far as some traffic plod are more tolerant than others. Last year on the way back to the circuit after the parade, on a 80cc moped, we went through a speedtrap set up by a couple of bike cops and we were overtaken at some speed by a guy in a vette. They stopped him, gave him a b*llocking, and sent him on his way, job done. If you think about it, can you imagine holding an event in this country like Lemans and the French doing here what the brits do over there, I doubt it.

[m3ed]

Just got back on Saturday from the Compiegne area.
On the way down I got pulled by 2 bikes..part of a big gathering of Gendarmes that were working with another one on a bridge,who had a speed gun...now I would not mind but the guy on the bridge was facing the other way looking at another car so they had no speed reading?!Got fined €90 for being between 20 and 30 kph above the limit...which was bks
Be careful out there...

[Gizmo535]

m3ed said:

Got fined €90 for being English just before lunchtime
Be careful out there...

EFA