Safe Speed Forums

Bonjour all!
This year I have decided to take the familly on holiday to France. I am drving out there in my own car, and having only ever cycled in france, I have no experience of driving on their roads. As I am to lazy to trawl the net for info, can anyone tell me what I need to drive on the continent. Also any recomendations for products or services I will need would also be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

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'Detritus, get yer stoney arse over ere'

Hi Neil

I believe you need: a) headlamp converters (the little sticky wedges you stick to the glass) b) warning triangle (recommended, but not necessary if you have hazard lights) c) first aid kit and set of spare bulbs recommended, d) driving licence e) proof of insurance f) registration document.

You should also inform your breakdown company (AA etc) in advance so you have breakdown cover on the continent.

Most motorways are toll roads, so be prepared to pay.
The alternative is to stay off the motorways - problem is, everybody has the same idea, so be prepared to stand in long queues outside each and every little village along the way.

Enjoy it.

Regards
Peter

Cheers pete

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'Detritus, get yer stoney arse over ere'

I hear it's a bad idea to take a radar detector. Apparently if the French police catch you with one they like to put it on the ground in front of a wheel, and ask you to move your car forward a few feet... ...and then they fine you.

Might be worth putting 112 on one of your mobile phone speed dial numbers if you haven't already.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

Dead right about the radar detector, even if it's not in use !!
Read on.

French cash in with fines on radar trap detectors
By David Millward
(Filed: 20/12/2004)

Britons are being hit with heavy fines by French police after being caught with speed trap detectors in their cars.

One driver to fall foul of the draconian traffic laws across the channel was 63-year-old Ian Kennard when he and his passenger, Mike Hutchin were stopped approaching a highway toll near Dijon earlier this month

The police noticed an old radar detector, which was not in use, on the dashboard. Mr Kennard's entreaties that it was a gift from his son and that it had never worked at least persuaded the police to halve the on-the-spot fine from 1,500 euros (£1,027) to 750 euros (£513).

Lacking the cash to pay immediately, Mr Kennard was taken in the police car to a bank, while Mr Hutchin, 66, was held separately.

"They wanted to know what the device was and I told them it was a radar detector which hadn't worked for years," Mr Kennard, a chartered surveyor from Lambourne End, Essex, said.

"One of my bank cards didn't work and at one point they were going to take the car away from me and leave us to make our own way home."

From:
http://www.expat.telegraph.co.uk/news/m ... xhome.html

My boss just got flashed in France in a hire car. He got there version of the NIP in the post...I will let you know how it goes...

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Speed camera policy Kills

Neil... check out a google for "radar fixes" - gives you all the speed trap information you need. Those tall things at the side of the autorout eare actually radar traps and you get fined at the "peages!"

Check out free maps at the service stations and also check out a site - "bison fute" - this gives the holiday routes and tips to avoid the jams. It is offered all lingos as well - and "BIS" on signs -- the scenic way! I followed one of these once - no idea where we got to - but it was pleasant..

You get on the spot fines for not wearing seat belt (front and rear);

under tens are not allowed in front passenger seat unless child is an approved child seat facing backwards;

Stop signs mean STOP - they fine you if they see you inch forwards - even if the numpty is about to rear end you! One of the Swiss got copped for that one last year. He managed to sweet talk his way out it - anyone else would have been fined -.and he speaks the lingo fluently anyway.


They hammer you for overtaking on a solid white if they cop you - and they have more than doubled traffic police this year.

You should carry a red triangle in case of breakdown - compulsory if towing and you must place 30 metre behind vehicle and ensure that it can be seen for 100 metres. hazard lamps are compulsroy if you break down and carry spare bulbs for everything - as they do you for a blown one. The gendarmes are not like ours - you have to fix it immediately. No spare bulb and you get a fine.

You must drive on dipped headlights at all times . Sidelights are only permitted if parked up and stationary. You get fined for driving on side lights only. (You can use your full beam - exactly as we do here)


Beams must be adjusted of RH drive. Y ellow tints are not compulsory for tourist vehicles. You can buy tow types of converters - one sticks to headlamp and converts beam by means of small lenses - the other masks out the part of the headlamp which deflects the beam.


You are only allowed 0.25 mgs alcholo per litre of blood in France as well. Thye are blitzing this at the moment - according to pals and family abroad.



Interesting VISIBILITY VESTS ...

.... these are COMPULSORY TO WEAR in Italy and Spain and likely to become compulsory throughout EU if you intend to walk on a motorway.

In fact- Spain insists on one such vest for eveyone in a car - passengers and kids - and they expect you to keep these insised the car and not in the boot. France's stipulation as I read the lingo on "bison" - you are breaking the law if you do not wear on as you walk to an emergency phone. Swiss have this same rule as well.

Speed limits are

urban - 50 kph (31 mph)

outside urban areas - 90 kph (56 mph)

dual carriageways - 110 kph (69 mph)

motorways - 130 kph (81.25 mph) and 110 kph if wet.

Obviously - they have their lollipops as here - but those are the speed ranges - and personally I think their system is miles better - no silly changes like here.

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