Driving in France (more rules)

[Alison]

I heard them talking about this on the Andrew Marr show yesterday but couldn't work out if the breathalizer was so that the police could use it on you if they stopped you in which case I'd have thought there would be issues round if it was calibrated properly (see comments above about storage temps) and more of a money saving system for the police. Presumably you need 2 in case you have been stopped and have to use one??? Alternatively, if they are for personal use then it just seems to encourage you to drink to the limit. Checked the date originally as thought it was be April not July.

The bulb one has been in for years, always amused me that you needed to carry them but didn't have to be capable of installing.

[Nicos]

Oh - I've just remembered- priority to pedestrians and cyclists ( 2sheds will LOVE this one!!! )

Say What? France new highway code rules: pedestrians now always have priority over cars

[Nicos]

The bulb one has been in for years, always amused me that you needed to carry them but didn't have to be capable of installing.

Not sure which car it is, but one of ours has to have it's front end/bumper removed to access the bulbs!

[Nicos]

The police round here are targeting speeding at the moment - the on the spot fine is €90- tis worth putting this sum to one side in your car just in case you make a mistake with the speed limit

[scarletrunner]

Never been outside the u/k in 61 years,and never intend to,am more than satisfied with British isles days out and holidays.

[bearded bloke]

Perhaps they should enforce compulsory carrying of testing kits for crack cocaine,

French police can do an on the spot saliva swab test for drugs

Drinking and driving: If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or more (0.02% for bus/coach drivers), severe penalties include fine, imprisonment and / or confiscation of the driving licence and / or vehicle.

Saliva drug tests will be used to detect drivers under the influence of drugs – severe penalties as above.

[bearded bloke]

Oh - I've just remembered- priority to pedestrians and cyclists ( 2sheds will LOVE this one!!! )

Say What? France new highway code rules: pedestrians now always have priority over cars

And ....
"When overtaking a bicycle, drivers must leave a distance of at least 1 m in built-up areas and 1.50 m outside built-up areas between their vehicle and the bicycle" ....

has been around a long time,as has .....

"Overtaking stationary trams is prohibited when passengers are boarding / alighting"

[bearded bloke]

The police round here are targeting speeding at the moment - the on the spot fine is €90- tis worth putting this sum to one side in your car just in case you make a mistake with the speed limit

Oh yes while on speed limits,this may affect some .................

Speed limits:

Speed limits are fixed according to the place, the vehicle and the weather.
Standard legal limits which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers. In
built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas 55 mph (90 km/h), but 68 mph
(110 km/h) on urban motorways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation
and 80 mph (130 km/h) on motorways.
Lower speed limits of 49 mph (80 km/h) outside built-up areas, 62 mph (100 km/h) on
dual carriageways and 68 mph (110 km/h) on motorways apply in wet weather and to
visiting motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years. Additionally,
speed limits are reduced on stretches of motorways in built up areas. Minimum speed limit
on motorways 49mph (80km/h).

[ladylottie]

Don't think I will be bothering to go over to France again (driving anyway). I had enough trouble remembering the red triangle!
Having to carry all these items and probably more as time goes on, there will soon have to be new weight restriction rules being applied

[Alison]

I suppose you get used to all the rules if you live there as they are the normal and perhaps it only seems odd looking in from across the channel. Obviously dangerous driving needs sorting whether it be due to excess speed or drug / alcohol use but I'm getting confused

[binley100]

Couple of years ago we were fascinated to watch the police pulling over people who had bikes on the back of their cars. They were making all those who didn't have a visible number plate walk up to the hypermarket to get a board .........

[Patchninja]

The alco tests cost a euro and are in all supermarkets that I've been into. They are about the same size as a cigarette. You put a couple in the glove compartment of your car and hey presto. No big deal. Anyway, French police have guns and use them so just do as you're bladdy well told!

I've been here for 22 years without any mental scarring from these rules hahaha.

[Jardiniere]

french roads are absolutely brilliant ....we've been in england for a week and its a joy to be back in France.

[binley100]

I'm with you on that one Jardiniere .......I'm a bag of nerves in this country .....