Speeding in France

[chop456]

The marking "E 27 R" certifies the conformity of the triangle with existing standards.

My 5-sided triangle is missing the E 27 R designation.  This means it doesn't comply with their triangle standards?  Philistines.

[BigH]

The wearing a high visibility safety vest also becomes mandatory from 1 October 2008 for every cycle rider and passenger, when out of town at night (or during the day, when visibility is insufficient).

Any idea if that also refers to cyclists Termie? (as opposed to motorcyclists)

H

[termietermite]

The wearing a high visibility safety vest also becomes mandatory from 1 October 2008 for every cycle rider and passenger, when out of town at night (or during the day, when visibility is insufficient).

Any idea if that also refers to cyclists Termie? (as opposed to motorcyclists)

H

It has been mandatory for cyclists for over 2 years, yes  (although a lot ignore it).  I put this up as well  because I know quite a lot of you bring (pedal) bikes, H.  The motor-bike law is brand new (and might have to go through parliament yet - I'm not sure because the Monde article doesn't specify exactly which of the new measures is immediate and which not.)

I've yet to find any legal reference that suggests it's more than one vest per car - either now or in the future - because that link was broken but I'm still looking.

[nopanic - neil]

So does that mean I have to wear a Hi-viz jacket when I ride my Funky moped around Le Mans?

[geoffd]

I bought me one of these recently : http://www.coyotesystems.co.uk/.

Saved my drivers license several times on the way to the testday and back.

I thought it was illegal to own, let alone use, radar detectors in france?

I've heard stories of people getting fined and having to driver over their own radar detector to stop them using it again!

[termietermite]

I bought me one of these recently : http://www.coyotesystems.co.uk/.

Saved my drivers license several times on the way to the testday and back.

I thought it was illegal to own, let alone use, radar detectors in france?

I've heard stories of people getting fined and having to driver over their own radar detector to stop them using it again!

The detectors of mobile cameras are indeed illegal (confiscation and fines are common - I'll see if I can find what the penalties are.)  In Switzerland it's illegal to have a device with a fixed camera detector so you have to be sure to turn off that option when you cross the border if you have a SatNav on board.   What I don't know is whether fixed camera detectors will become illegal in France along with the new measures to move the warning boards.   I think this hydra is due to grow a lot more heads before they've finished.

A few decent driving lessons wouldn't to amiss either.

[termietermite]

Maximum penalty for having a mobile radar detector is
1500€, 2 points and up to 3 years in prison.

If you can read French, this website gives aall the different laws and penalties:

http://librevent.over-blog.com/ext/http://www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/vos-infos/presse/communiques/2-2008/CP_18-06-08.html


EDIT :

Deffo one vest per car, not per passenger but it must be within reach of the driver.  Nowt wrong with carrying a few more though, really, just in case you all have to get out for some reason, but it is NOT a legal requirement.

[pretzel]

They have gone mad !!!!! that used to be a pleasurable trip down to Le Mans. Looks like we will be going down the old road rather than the motorway always made for a better trip anyway. 

I'd still be pretty circumspect if I were you. The D road we use to travel beck and forth to the circuit from our hotel has quite often been policed over the years.

[Barry]

So does that mean I have to wear a Hi-viz jacket when I ride my Funky moped around Le Mans?

Yes, I think it does.

Deb/Kpy  I would be very intrested to know when the requirement for the high vis jackets for motorcycles, comes into force.

[Kristof]

I bought me one of these recently : http://www.coyotesystems.co.uk/.

Saved my drivers license several times on the way to the testday and back.

I thought it was illegal to own, let alone use, radar detectors in france?

I've heard stories of people getting fined and having to driver over their own radar detector to stop them using it again!

Apparently this one isn't illegal. It was launched at first in France and very popular in Belgium too these days. It's got a database with all fixed camera's, mobile camera's are signalized by the users of the Coyote.
When a mobile cam is detected the coyote will warn you and say how many other users confirmed and when the last confirmation went through. Works perfect and completely legal (doesnt scan frequencys of radars).

I tried it in Germany this afternoon driving to the Nurburgring, but here it will only show the fixed radars.

[nopanic - neil]

More information about this found on another web site:

May 11, 2011 - Interministerial Committee for Road Safety
On this day of launching the World Decade for Action for Road Safety (2011 - 2020) by the UN and the WHO decision to which France has contributed significantly, Prime Minister Francois Fillon, has chaired the fourth Interministerial Committee on Road Safety Board (IRB) of the mandate.

Of the 103 measures decided by the IRB since 2008, 101 were implemented.

The actions taken by the IRB's May 11, 2011 aim to fight against the increase in road deaths recorded on French roads since the beginning of the year and the relaxation behavior that is the cause.

Without waiting for the implementation of these measures, the Prime Minister asked the Minister of the Interior, Overseas, local authorities and immigration to implement tighter controls on the roads, and any especially during the long weekends of June.

1 - Discourage speeding
Driving is an important act, which requires the driver to devote his full attention. However, distractions (phone, text messaging, mobile Internet and other screens while driving ...) are increasing, as are the risk behaviors of drivers underestimate the risks associated with fatigue and sleepiness. The lowering of attention to driving, whatever the cause is the cause of many tragedies of the road.
Decisions of the IRB:

To end the irresponsible behavior of those who allow themselves to run at speeds very abusive, speeding over 50 km / h will now be legally qualified, the first offense, a misdemeanor.

The warning radars , which are an incitement to violate the rules on speed limits, will be banned.

Signs indicating the presence of speed cameras will be removed and the installation of radar maps will not be made ​​public. The information on the positioning of speed cameras in fact encourages some drivers to not respect the rules of proximity to their speeds.

1 000 new radars will be deployed by the end of 2012, and next generation mobile radars, to monitor the speed of users from service vehicles, or semi-mobile (movable to secure such areas of sites) will be tested this year.

To help the vast majority of drivers mindful of speed limits to do so, all technologies to better control its speed will be favored with information about speed limits by GPS incentive clamping voluntary motor or the installation of a voluntary speed limiter . These measures will be promoted by setting up a label "safe car" that will recognize the level of safety equipment of the vehicle, the label must be the subject of discussions will be held with industry, associations and insurers.

2 - Fight against alcohol and drugs on the road

Driving under the influence of alcohol is the leading cause of death and driving infringement: In 2009, 30% of those killed on the road are in an accident in the presence of alcohol above the legal rate. Driving while alcohol multiplies by 8 the risk of being involved in a fatal crash by 14 and if more cannabis.
Decisions of the IRB:

The ability to conduct a blood test for the alcohol or the presence of drugs following a positive test conducted by law enforcement will be extended to nurses.

Using a alcolock be made ​​compulsory without delay for all transport of people with a alcolock.

Any alcohol in driving situations than 0.8 g / L will be punished by the withdrawal of 8 points , 6 cons now.

3 - Secure the use of motorized two-wheelers

The accident rate for drivers of motorized two-wheelers remains a concern in France. They represented in 2010 approximately 24% of those killed on the road for less than 2% of traffic.
Decisions of the IRB:

License plates for two-wheelers will be larger to make it more effective controls.

Those that continue the use of a motorcycle after 5 year break will now follow training did not lead to two-wheelers over the past five years.

Drivers of motorcycles and tricycles must wear a retro-reflective equipment.

4 - Increase vigilance and combat driving all factors that reduce the focus on driving
Driving is an important act, which requires the driver to devote his full attention. However, distractions (phone, text messaging, mobile Internet and other screens while driving ...) are increasing, as are the risk behaviors of drivers underestimate the risks associated with fatigue and sleepiness. The lowering of attention to driving, whatever the cause is the cause of many tragedies of the road.
Decisions of the IRB:

Phone while driving , hand held phone will be punished more severely, with a contravention of the 4th class (instead of the 2nd class) giving rise to a withdrawal of three points in the driver's license (instead of withdrawing two points).

In partnership with the mobile professional, technical solutions will be developed to help limit phone conversations while driving.

The penalties for driving with a screen device in operation in the field of vision (other aid to the conduct and navigation GPS type) will be compounded: the withdrawal of three points and fined 1,500 euros (fixed fine for this offense is now 135-euro fine and the withdrawal of two points). Violators could face also with the seizure of the screen device.

The traffic lane and emergency lane offset , though prohibited, is causing too many tragedies suffered by so many users of the highway that professionals involved in this network: non-compliance these rules will be punished more severely (135 euro fine, withdrawal of three points).

The bands sound banks , to prevent the driver falling asleep, be generalized on all the highways at a rate of roadworks.

5 - Provide more space for citizens in road safety policy
To maintain around the issue of road safety citizen mobilization that enabled the progress of recent years, action must be brought by road users as well as by governments. They may not be as long as they are concerted, explained, evaluated and possibly corrected.
Decisions of the IRB:

A new National Council for Road Safety , a forum for debate and reflection on issues of road safety, will be reunited in a new configuration to the expanded membership.

The experiment conducted in 80 high schools to educate students about road safety will be gradually extended from September 2011.

The Interministerial Committee for Road Safety has also been a progress of actions taken since the spring of 2010 on the prevention of occupational road risk and decided to continue this action.

[termietermite]

With all due respect, that looks like a Bablefish translation of the main points of the article in Le Monde.  Fillon appears to have asked for the current laws to be better enforced but I still don't see much there to confirm that the new regs are yet in place - certainly not that they are law.

Dottore, as the proposal is that publication of the location of fixed cameras is to be banned too, I cannot imagine that those devices will be looked upon very favourably.  Whatever, I will keep an eye on the press and try to keep you posted, as no doubt will Christopher also.

[nopanic - neil]

With all due respect, that looks like a Bablefish translation of the main points of the article in Le Monde.  Fillon appears to have asked for the current laws to be better enforced but I still don't see much there to confirm that the new regs are yet in place - certainly not that they are law.

Dottore, as the proposal is that publication of the location of fixed cameras is to be banned too, I cannot imagine that those devices will be looked upon very favourably.  Whatever, I will keep an eye on the press and try to keep you posted, as no doubt will Christopher also.

yes I think it was a Bablefish translation, but when you cnat read french - anything helps

Apprently there has been groups of bike riders going slow in Paris already. - Sounds like me normally on my funky moped 

[geoffd]

Like most of us on here I don't condone excessive speeding,  but again like most of us I am not an angel when it comes to speed control! 

Last year on the way to LM the only speed trap I saw was in a restricted (for safety) section of the peage, and yes i was on the limit or there abouts,  but as i say i do tend to travel at around 140kph or so when all is clear and safe to do so,  i guess that I will have to either keep to the exact limit or be extra vigilant!  Keeping close to the limit is obviously easier,  but there are always times when you just need to get past a truck or two...

[Jack the Hat]

I'd still be pretty circumspect if I were you. The D road we use to travel beck and forth to the circuit from our hotel has quite often been policed over the years.
[/quote]

A fair point well made. Last year one of our number got a 90 Euro fine which for the speed we were all doing we thought this was more than fair this was on the peage. Its a shame the old system is being replaced.