French Motorways - Warning
Discussion
EL77 said:
I have just returned from europe and was caught doing 98mph on the motorway (even though they couldn't prove it) and i paid a 135 euro fine and had my licence taken away and was told i could not drive in france until i had my documents return to the UK by post.
Harsh indeed. I presume you had someone else with you who could drive otherwise would they have impounded your car?Edited by Little Dave on Wednesday 17th September 11:22
yes the girlfriend for about 15 mintues then i drove again.
i saw them pulling the speed gun from the back seat to use as a scare tactic.
they claimed i was doing 161 in the rain but i have cruise control on at 98.
with bad french i just accepted it and moved on. after trapping the officers arm in my electric window!!!
i saw them pulling the speed gun from the back seat to use as a scare tactic.
they claimed i was doing 161 in the rain but i have cruise control on at 98.
with bad french i just accepted it and moved on. after trapping the officers arm in my electric window!!!
Your speedo said 158, gendarmes claim 161. You are still 48 or 51km over the 110km wet speed limit. I've heard of people getting on the spot bans and 750 euro contributions to a future court case, for similar speeds over the limit (general rule is 40k or over the limit is likely to be an on the spot ban).
Of course this raises the question of when does the wet 110kmh speed limit apply? Never seen a definitive statement. When it's damp? spitting? deluge rainstorm? The line is drawn somewhere but where exactly? It's not like the central reservation sign flashes up that the rain/wet speed limit is active.
Also of note driving from Turin to Reims last sunday, 1 or 2k after the fixed scamera as you approach Troyes, Le plod was happily zapping away at motorists after they'd resumed cruising speed. Luckily for me my cruise was reset to only 145km.
Of course this raises the question of when does the wet 110kmh speed limit apply? Never seen a definitive statement. When it's damp? spitting? deluge rainstorm? The line is drawn somewhere but where exactly? It's not like the central reservation sign flashes up that the rain/wet speed limit is active.
Also of note driving from Turin to Reims last sunday, 1 or 2k after the fixed scamera as you approach Troyes, Le plod was happily zapping away at motorists after they'd resumed cruising speed. Luckily for me my cruise was reset to only 145km.
EL77 said:
they claimed i was doing 161 in the rain but i have cruise control on at 98.
The French definition of rain is that you had your wipers on.They certainly would get upset for over 100 mph in a 68 mph limit.
Your case would be exacerbated if your paperwork wasn't in order.
For the record, I wouldn't be doing anything like 100 mph
in the rain in France. Way too dangerous.
I've just come back from S of France, in good time, with a general cruising pace of 90mph. Saw a few Gendarmes but they weren't bothered. Why would you need to cruise any faster than that? We did Lyon to Calais in one hit, without drama. The French are rightly p*ssed off with Brits tanking along their roads, assuming they are safe... you got no more than you deserve imo chum.
I should add, we were on bikes too.
I should add, we were on bikes too.
EvoBarry said:
I've just come back from S of France, in good time, with a general cruising pace of 90mph. Saw a few Gendarmes but they weren't bothered. Why would you need to cruise any faster than that?
Dear oh dear. You missed the point of this forum.Speed matters.
If I've got a 450 mile run to complete ASAP, I'd rather
waft at Diesel Passat style 120 mph than Nissan Micra and
fully loaded Transit Van style 90 mph.
Hah, priceless. The point of this forum is getting arrested for speeding at the wrong time, in the wrong place? Oh dear indeed.
I saw big numbers on my bikes speedo over that week, of that I can tell you, but getting nicked on a Peage, when its a well known fact that its policed quite heavily, very poor show old chap.
I saw big numbers on my bikes speedo over that week, of that I can tell you, but getting nicked on a Peage, when its a well known fact that its policed quite heavily, very poor show old chap.
dazren said:
Of course this raises the question of when does the wet 110kmh speed limit apply? Never seen a definitive statement. When it's damp? spitting? deluge rainstorm? The line is drawn somewhere but where exactly? It's not like the central reservation sign flashes up that the rain/wet speed limit is active.
If you need to use your windscreen wipers 
Anyone heading South of Rouen/Le Havre on the A28, beware of new fixed cameras around Alencon...
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