Travelling through France this Summer?

The Gendarmes will be out to get you, so have at least €350 in cash on you....
Speeding in Frogland...

Sorry, Flip, it is not only the French, the same applies to any foreign driver coming to Spain, Italy or any other EU country (well, the UK is reluctant to exchange data, possibly because not too many EU nationals will be driving their cars into the UK...and there are quite a few UK citizens driving throughout Europe). This is the new directive
EU directive
In any case, if this stops drivers from exceeding speed limits and causing accidents, I think that it is a great move.

And also don't forget, while driving through Frogland, you're required to carry a kit of 2 breathalysers with you.  

Well, the application of the law has been delaye. Here is the information of what you need to drive through France
France driving

Thanks again Gala for excellent and useful information

Does this mean that if you are not stopped you either were not speeding, or you were not caught? 

If that's the case, I think it's a huge improvement on getting a fine 6 - 9 months later in the post at nearly €200.  Admittedly that's rather less than €325, but it's still a major shock and annoyance - in my case for driving 5 km over the limit going downhill.  I ask you m'lud!!

I doubt very much that the French Police (or any other Police) will have sufficient road patrols to issue all the fines that may be required.

I got hit here in Italy with a €185 !!! fine and 3 punti for doing 9km over the limit on a slip road coming off a superstrada. I did not like that !!

V

This summer, the Police, everywhere, will be on the lookout for evety possible fault. So be good, keep speed limits and distances and drive safely.

Vicino wrote:I got hit here in Italy with a €185 !!! fine and 3 punti for doing 9km over the limit on a slip road coming off a superstrada. I did not like that !!V

 Was it a mobile speed camera, or a fixed one? Very unusual.

Gone are the days of setting cruise control on the French empty motorways at 120-130mph. Was good to travel down to our French friends in the Camargue and arrive within 8 hours of leaving Calais.

It seems to me (from bitter experience ) that if you're in a hire car you can get clobbered here.

However if you drive a British reg car in Frogland, Cheeseland or Pastaland you're (currently) immune from prosecution unless caught in the act by the local police.

Geotherm wrote:Gone are the days of setting cruise control on the French empty motorways at 120-130mph. Was good to travel down to our French friends in the Camargue and arrive within 8 hours of leaving Calais.

But the speed limit in Frogland is generally 130 mph, n'est-ce pas?

Attention, s'il vous plaît, 130 is the limit on highways and in perfect weather conditions. So don't take it as a rule! Have a look at this good advice French speed limits

Gala I think Carciofo was having a joke. MPH not KPH.

Yes, Fip, thank you. I missed the mph, my mind is nowadays totaly into kph   Old age creeping fast.

Geotherm wrote:
 Was it a mobile speed camera, or a fixed one? Very unusual.

I'm not sure what type it was, there were some road works nearby, it may have been related to these, I was coming off the SS77 near Camerino, I guess I just didn't slow down enough from the Superstrada in time !

I did think it was a bit steep, but on investigation, I THINK there is a new sliding scale of fines vs speed. I think almost the minimum fine for speeding was some €150 ! They then added a €16 admin charge !

Hey ho !!

I also don't fully understand the points system here, it seems you get (I think) a 20 point 'allowance' to start with, so now I am down to 17................oo-err ! 

V