Driving to South France

[911TT_STEVO]

I'm driving to South France in Summer, Edinburgh to Zeebrugge (Ferry) then driving down through France taking route A1/A6/A7/A8, which is roughly 750 miles!

What are the speeding laws/Cameras, etc on these roads?

Thanks

[DaveP]

French police are nasty...whenever we have our jaunts over that way we end up 'trying' to stick to the limits or just above for the majority of France...

They'll take your license and your car if you're not careful...

Ken might know more since he lives over there now..

[rs666]

I think laser detectors/gps devices are banned too. Big fine and unit is confiscated.

[911TT_STEVO]

Bloody Hell! 750 miles @ 130km/h, lol

I take it it's 130km/h!

[tartan_rob]

The upside is that the french Police do not have a traffic division so they have to catch you....

Be careful if using Paege. Approach them and leave them very carefully and slowly. If they suspect you are motoring they will measure your average speed. I lived in Montpellier for a year in 2002 and had little hassle and most of the time assumed that the speed signs were in MPH even though I knew they were not....!

RE detectors and diffusers, use them is you want, the Police have to prove you were using them and if you do get pulled, use the slow down period to hide the unit. Carry cash for instant fines, that'll save you getting impounded whilst they haul you to a hole in the wall.

Its not any worse than it is here and in fact I don't think they use static speed cameras, at least not that I have seen. The fact remains that the average salary in France is lower than UK and most people use public transport. They are not into their cars as much as us so the problem of speeding is not as high there as it is here.....be careful as you would here and you are sorted - and ejoy the roads they are superb. if you get a chance cross the Millau bridge one way and take the old road the other way, you will not be dissapointed...

[johneroberts]

I did this last year, and averaged about 100 mph most of the way,i had one or two moments, going through Reims theres a camera that flashesat yer (urban area only) and then down to Cote Azur from Valance thes timed camera reconigtion , really strange when you see your number plate displayed on the overhead sign, saying Your going Too fast! But all in all no problems.
Cheers
jr

[SimonS4MTM]

Reims theres a camera that flashesat yer (urban area only)

I have seen that one flash!

[derdle]

I know a guy who got done for speeding between toll booths £112 it cost him. Be particularly careful when heading back towards the ferry ports - their favourite spot for catching Brits who are running late for the ferry.

Paul

[simple1]

cruise at 145 kph is fine, any more than that and it is wallet bashing time, I got done just south of Dijon at 152 kph, cost €90 on the spot. They do also check toll times, but a fill of fuel or coffee stop reduces average time by a lot. Flick did say 147 max...................
Dont take any type of detector, I got done well and truely, £450 detector and €750 fine on the spot, and the frigging thing was in the boot not being used. They will and do search english cars including baggage......... you have been warned.........

[tartan_rob]

Never knew that simple - thanks for the info.