Fluorescent jackets/vests.

[termietermite]

If you go Halfords a hi-vis vest did cost a fiver  our local Tesco & got a pack of 4 hi-vis vests  (2 adults & 2 kids) for about £4.50

Or free from Network Rail as Lord PP points out.

[Lorry]

I thought that most people reading this would wear a Hi Viz jacket most of the time.  You know, those orange ones with "Community Payback"  written on the back

[Doris]

If you go Halfords a hi-vis vest did cost a fiver  our local Tesco & got a pack of 4 hi-vis vests  (2 adults & 2 kids) for about £4.50

Or free from Network Rail as Lord PP points out.

Or the office of a forklift truck manufacturer where I may just hold the keys to the 'freebie' cupboard.   

Dx

[landman]

I have a lovely collection of these, including a selection of jackets, from some of the big housebuilders that I used to work for.

They all insist on handing out THEIR PPE when you join.

So that's a variety of boots, hats, jackets and vests all gathering dust in garage & boot of car 

[Leftie]

Also, don't forget that you must carry a minimum of 1ltr of fuel in the boot.

My experience from last year:-

I bought 2x 5ltr plastic 'cans', because a 1970's british sports car would not make it without a fill up.

I was first car across the line at Newhaven and, the ffirst car in for a search at customs! What the ***k can you carry in a 35yro Spitfire!

I was asked:-

Do I have any knives, guns, explosives? Only cutlery for knives.

Do I have any spare fuel in the car? please open the boot. 2x 5ltr cans.

Can you put the fuel in the main tank?  No. I just filled up.

The ferry company will not allow you those on board, we'll give a you receipt but hand them over please.

Advice, take an empty fuel can on the ferry, I had 10 ltrs confiscated last year.

So fill the can up over in France.

BTW, on my return when claiming my fuel, one can was EMPTY!!! OK, the Port paid me a fiver for their mistake. But take head.

[landman]

Frpm the AA's website: -

REFLECTIVE JACKETS & WARNING TRIANGLES IN FRANCE (30 September)

The French Road Safety Department has confirmed that:

From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.

This regulation, which we understand does not apply to two and three wheeled vehicles, will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.

[Lord Steve]

Ade and I are coming by Jet2.com and SNCF. Will we need hi-vis p.p.e. to get on the tram in LM or is it alright if we just arrive completely p****d ?
Whether it's alright by les Gendarmes or not that's what's going to happen.
Good luck to all you car wallahs out there.
Cheers!!

Hic!

[Ade]

I've got my own special hi-vis p.p.e - a Dfh T-shirt & cap 

Ade

[Paddy_NL]

my understanding is that you need a jacket for for every available seat as opposed number of passengers being carried.  that means if you have a five seater then you need five jackets, irrespective if there are only two people in the car.  they also need need to in the car, not in the boot or the trailer, this means if you break down the jacket goes on in the car.

simple really.

As far as I understood, if a vehicle breaks down, only persons wearing a hi-vis jacket are allowed out of the car.
To me this is a stupid rule, as kids and wife are much safer behind the guardrail, instead of inside the vehicle on the hard shoulder

Guess the option of the cheap jackets at your local Tesco is the way to go...

[Kpy]

As far as I understood, if a vehicle breaks down, only persons wearing a hi-vis jacket are allowed out of the car.
To me this is a stupid rule, as kids and wife are much safer behind the guardrail, instead of inside the vehicle on the hard shoulder

Paddy - please quote chapter and verse. That is not French law (Code de la Route) as I understand it.

[lynxd67]

Permit me to help - I've just looked it up. Only those who get out of the car have to wear a fluorescent jacket. If the others apart from the driver stay in the car they don't have to wear them. In other words, since it is prudent to get the hell out of there carry the maximum number. Oh, and the warning triangle. This should be placed 30 metres behind the car and the hazard warning lights left on. That is as comprehensive as I can give you.

Oh, and spare bulbs. Yes you must carry them but the law does not require you to fit one if one breaks. Logical ain't it?

[pretzel]

What about all the poor sods who have naff all luggage room to start with? Does this require them to fit a luggage/roof rack to carry all the safety gear in case of breakdown? Also, on the subject of spare bulbs - does the law require spares for all the lighting? My car is fitted with HID headlights and I'm not even sure I could fit them if they were available without the assistance of a fully equipped dealer workshop and trained technicians! Jeez.............

[Lawnmower Man]

Pretzel.

You are forgetting they are laws.  They are therefore devoid of logic or reason.    They are not meant to be understood they are only to be obeyed.

I also have the HID light problem.   I'm not sure what the deal is with regard to the fitting beam deflectors or tape.  I normally just slap a bit of insulating tape on the glass but theses HID light have clear lenses so you can't really guess were to put the tape.

t.

[smokie]

The HIDs on the Omega were easily swapped from left to right dip by means of a lever on the back. Can't find an equivalent on the Mondeo. And I certainly wouldn't consider carrying a HID bulb - didn't someone tell me they are about £600?

[Barry]

Can't find an equivalent on the Mondeo.

Our Ford doesn't have a facility to change the dipped beam either, you have to take it to the garage to adjust.

This is really stupid, apart from the cost of the work at stealer hourly rates, what are you supposed to do if you are leaving for France during the night?

Break the law in UK, or abroad?

Dumb, really dumb.