Current "safe" speed(ing) limit on French autoroute?

[Kolbenkopp]

Gents,

silly question if I may: but what's the current "safe" speed one can go currently on a French autoroute? Safe as in not getting your car impounded or your first born put up for adoption...

I know the limit is 130 (in dry weather), I also know they've added loads of cameras and that they upped the fines in general. But what speed can you currently go over and get away with just paying x €?

Any input -- grand merci !

[Kolbenkopp]

Thanks for all the excellent advice and the entertaining anecdotes as well. Much appreciated!

Made it safely From Düsseldorf to the Caen region... Cruise control set to +-150 kph, range in the Golf still is OK at that speed and while yes it is illegal and yes it does not save that much time... Tthe autoroute network is just so suited for higher speeds... Well maintained and very little traffic -- better than the (overcrowded) Autobahn back home really.Will read a bit more before we go back and if it's really +50 kph = € 135 then that it is imo a price worth paying...

The SANEF "Bip&Go" badge is next on the agenda. Everytime we drive in France I think "damn get one of those things". And everytime I remember too late to order one before we set off. They have a version now that also works in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Cheap to buy, costs nothing if not used, tiny service charge (~ €2) if you do. Just need to get to the closest local shop now...

Thanks again chaps et bonne route!

[Kolbenkopp]

Merci for the nice summary! Just in case, I will switch the satnav POIs off for the way back -- and use Waze or Coyote instead. And glad that gendarme was such a friendly chap...

CSK1 said:

There's no harm or danger involved if your speed is adapted to the weather and traffic situation. Doing 150 or 170 KM/H on a deserted motorway on a sunny day isn't dangerous. Doing 60 KM/H where 50 is allowed in town can be dangerous. It's all a question of adapting your speed to the situation you're in.

For the 'legalists' frothing at the mouth -- the quoted bit says it all really. Speed is not the problem, it's the inflexible law that - quite literally in this case -- stands in the way of progress. Bit of critical thinking can't hurt, and coincidently this [1] came up on the radio while pleasantly breaking the law on the way to Normandie... France is great really, not only for one of the best highway networks on the planet...

[1] https://www.franceculture.fr/emissions/la-conversa...