Over the past few years the use of fixed speed cameras has increased significantly in France, especially at the 50 kph limit at the entrance to French village and towns - it has become a great source of revenue to the State................... you hardly see any motorist over the 50 kph limit these days .........

Also be careful on "ring roads" where the limited has been reduced to 70 kph because of a bend or road works.

A 30 kph limit in towns is now also quite common and they are starting to enforce this

The saving grace for "Brits" is that the majority of offences involving the above are policed by automatic cameras etc., and you receive a computer generated fine send to the address on your "carte gris" - (i.e. Log Book) ..... and the system, so far, only works with French registered vehicles.

Just talk to any French motorist and you will find that most have been "flashed" at some time (recently)

on the motorways it seems to be different in that the police "lay in wait" for speeding motorist who are fined "on the spot"

Things are a lot tighter now, speeding wise, in France than they were, say 4 or 5 years ago

Edited 2 April, 201214 yr by BillN_33

Carrying a warning triangle, a couple of high-visibility vests and some spare bulbs seems fairly common-sense to me and not at all onerous. Regarding the breathalysers, I have found a website to buy a couple of two-packs for about a fiver: again, if that meets the law it's hardly a great expense and since I don't drink and drive either in the UK or in France I'm not bothered about whether they are accurate or not.

None of my French friends or neighbours carry either a first-aid kit or a fire extinguisher and none has ever been apprehended. They argue - and I would tend to agree - that in any situation where you need either item, you're probably not going to want to tackle it!

The Mrs and I just got back from France yesterday..

Snowmonster was not targeted by any authorities only by insects and small birds - absolutley peppered.

Breathalizers can be bought in the supermarkets for 2 Euros for 2, hardly a huge expense.

Headlamps can be redirected with careful use of 'gaffer' tape.

All the other bits and bobs required IMO are only commonsense.

And those like me who wear glasses should carry a spare pair with the same prescription lenses, contact lens wearers need a spare set AND glasses of the correct perscription.

I would not want to miss out on wonderful Frence cuisine and wines any more than I want to miss out on our great British real ales !

Thanks for that information. Driving a Yeti to Agadir soon via France.

Having driven many thousands of miles in France , I have never been stopped, never been caught in a radar trap and have never failed to enjoy the almost deserted roads and gorgeous countryside. It 's not all idyllic of course but its best feature is an almost complete absence of Mail readers - the odd one I encounter usually has announced his or her presence by loud braying in English with not even an attempt at speaking Francais.A bientot .

In Europe there are many different laws but the people and the Authorities take a laissez-faire attitude to them unlike in the UK...... :zzz:

When I questioned a French friend about their attitude towards laws he responded "Pah, in 1789 we had a revolution so that nobody could tell us what to do!"

I drive to Southern France twice a year (not yet in my Yeti) and police have tightened up on speeding recently.

Where the fixed cameras are situated the warning signs have started to be removed. However there are very few of them - more between Meir and Leek in Staffs than the length of France! You could try downloading a route on say Via Michelin which will list them. Can they get UK registered cars yet? Not sure.

Yes they do use radar guns (remember them?) and sometimes hide behind bushes! If you are caught probably 100? euros on the spot fine (but hopefully no points).

The roads of course are wonderfully empty - autoroute stops and picnic areas are great - the scenery is marvellous - so whats not to like.

If you want to speed try between 12 and 2 - everyone's at lunch!

PS routes from Mappy or Via Michelin now list "dangerous areas" instead of speed cameras - same locations though!

Edited 9 April, 201214 yr by VRSx3dave

In Europe there are many different laws but the people and the Authorities take a laissez-faire attitude to them unlike in the UK...... :zzz:

That global belief could end up costing you a lot of money.

A few examples:

Speeding in Norway.

Entering "Green" zones in cities in Italy.

Driving after just ONE beer in Sweden.

Parking offences in Copenhagen will cost you £50 - many variations, but rigorous enforcement.

Like so many things, it all comes down to situation awareness - if you can read what the locals get away with, you can too. If not.................

Thanks for that information. Driving a Yeti to Agadir soon via France.

Sounds interesting, have a great (safe) trip ! :thumbup:

Having driven many thousands of miles in France , I have never been stopped, never been caught in a radar trap and have never failed to enjoy the almost deserted roads and gorgeous countryside. It 's not all idyllic of course but its best feature is an almost complete absence of Mail readers - the odd one I encounter usually has announced his or her presence by loud braying in English with not even an attempt at speaking Francais.A bientot .

I'm in aggreement, the only problem is I have to take the Mrs with me - she does read the Mail but she's not loud . :rofl:

Okay guys, here's an update to my post. Firstly if you take time and read slower,( or get someone to read it for you you )you will notice that nowhere in my post did I mention I was a Mail reader. It actually says "taken from the Mail" meaning from an on line article, that I thought may have been of interest to some. If you look carefully when online you will notice similar articles about the new French driving rules have appeared in all the Daily papers. No one is suggesting you abide by them,especially if your mates or French friends have advised you that they don't, but that is the risk you take and it's up to the individual. This is a brilliant forum, and I've picked up loads of helpful tips and hints,lets keep it that way. Or, as I mentioned earlier, please read posts thoroughly and understand them before replying.

I hope those of you who travel to France etc enjoy your holidays, and have a safe journey.

Condescendant anglais Gallois!

Okay guys, here's an update to my post. Firstly if you take time and read slower,( or get someone to read it for you you )you will notice that nowhere in my post did I mention I was a Mail reader. It actually says "taken from the Mail" meaning from an on line article, that I thought may have been of interest to some. If you look carefully when online you will notice similar articles about the new French driving rules have appeared in all the Daily papers. No one is suggesting you abide by them,especially if your mates or French friends have advised you that they don't, but that is the risk you take and it's up to the individual. This is a brilliant forum, and I've picked up loads of helpful tips and hints,lets keep it that way. Or, as I mentioned earlier, please read posts thoroughly and understand them before replying.

I hope those of you who travel to France etc enjoy your holidays, and have a safe journey.

I have thought about it and decided not to re-read your post.

Shown on France 2 last night, Sarko driven in his chaufered car at 190 kph in a 130 kph zone. As for gendarmes; my wife was 'buzzed' by two motorcycle cops on Thursday whilst driving within the 90 kph limit around La Rochelle at the 'heure de pointe' - no blue lights, no sirens - they just wanted to get past so hooted several times and glared. Nearly a brown trouser moment!

I have thought about it and decided not to re-read your post.

There's no need to get nasty now!

Sorry if I gave that impression-it's just I read the post inviting me to re-read an earlier post and considered whether or not to do so and decided not to. It reflects nothing more than my lack of interest in whatever it was that Anzio found so exciting.

Look, I'm sorry to have to keep this going, but someone is still not reading things properly. Did I mention being excited by the fact the French have introduced some new rules, NO, I was merely passing on some info that I thought some would find of interest, or didn't know about. Isn't that what this forum is all about? Helping each other.

Thanks Anzio. The Mail tells me that it will also affect house prices.

Cheers, but don't get carried away with what you see in the Mail. Nice to see they have a new reader though.

Touche! I have a long standing and deep rooted personal objection to the Mail and I'm afraid I am altogether too set in my view to change.

Continental motoring has been an at least annual pleasure for many years and I have never taken to their sometimes unusual approach. It has been occasionally expensive and I expect I am gradually rising through the Sardinian "most wanted" list following an encounter with armed to the teeth carabineri when driving my late wife and mother in law in a small rented Fiat in the mid 80s. Their escalating fine schedule must be in the millions of lira now.

I may re-visit and offer them full settlement with a tin of small fish once the Euro collapses.

Enjoyable duel, foil now sheathed.

Look, I'm sorry to have to keep this going, but someone is still not reading things properly. Did I mention being excited by the fact the French have introduced some new rules, NO, I was merely passing on some info that I thought some would find of interest, or didn't know about. Isn't that what this forum is all about? Helping each other.

So why not post it in the Roadside Hotel where more members might see it? The topic isn't Yeti specific.

So why not post it in the Roadside Hotel where more members might see it? The topic isn't Yeti specific.

Yeti owners have more in common than the choice of VAG sub brand. Of course you are right in a narrow sense because the topic could easily have been posted on the Nissan Micra owners forum. There is something quirky about the particular conjunction of parts-bin selection and czech design which is different and which gathers people with something in common.

For example I have no issue with your vehicle choice-although neither would suit me, but Anzio and I have ended up with the same particular choice of car and,having differed, have become "friends" in the on line virtual sense.

Mountain and molehill in my opinion