But m'sieu, you are nicked!

[Theo Leggett]

My mate Tim fell victim to the speedtrap sting on the Rouen route last year... 120mph in a 55 zone, but still.

700 euro on the spot fine and banned from driving his Lotus in the land of garlic breath, threatened with arrest and confiscation of vehicle. At the time, they were also booking 2 Ferraris and an M3.

Lucky he had the cash, or he could have ended up picking up the soap for Monsieur Big.

[Steve Pyro]

My mate Tim fell victim to the speedtrap sting on the Rouen route last year... 120mph in a 55 zone, but still.

700 euro on the spot fine and banned from driving his Lotus

No real surprises there then, would he have done 120 mph in a 50 zone in England?  I would imagine he would have received a stiffer penalty in this country.

[Robbo SPS]

My mate Tim fell victim to the speedtrap sting on the Rouen route last year... 120mph in a 55 zone, but still.

700 euro on the spot fine and banned from driving his Lotus

No real surprises there then, would he have done 120 mph in a 50 zone in England?  I would imagine he would have received a stiffer penalty in this country.

Prison...

Man on Motorway at 156 mph on Honda Fireblade, now finished time for speeding - what a waste of prison space

[Theo Leggett]

Fair point, Steve. Jail at least. Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.

Does seem that the French coppers are deliberately targeting Brits now though, especially on the way to Le Mans. The speed traps are well hidden, too - so maybe its more about raising cash than slowing people down.

[wishy]

We had a similar problem coming into Le Mans from St.Malo last year.At a village cqalled St.Suzanne 25k 's west of the circuit.

"Fat Eddie" was stopped and fined what now seems to be  a paltry 80 euros for 95 in a 55 limit.

However when he could not find his driving licence he was dragged off to the local nick and threatened with an 800 euro fine ......but 2 hours later was released with a warning and no fine for the non production of the driving licence.

The srange thing is ....at the time I was leading in the "shed" and was waved on by the nice "gendarme"and then the ba**ard stopped Eddie.

For me I guess it was ce' le vie!!!!!!#

[jpchenet]

I bet Eddie wasn't driving a Renault?  

Damn patriotic these French you know!!

[pretzel]

I bet Eddie wasn't driving a Renault?  

Damn patriotic these French you know!!

Along with the fact it's a Renault the Gendarmes probably thought it was a local as all of them drive ancient vehicles, paint faded by years of exposure to the elements, etc. etc..

Furthermore Wishy himself takes on the appearance of a middle aged French village dweller after a long nights' ferry crossing, some time spent in the bar, and an early start in the morning.

[Steve Pyro]

Furthermore Wishy himself takes on the appearance of a middle aged French village dweller after a long nights' ferry crossing, some time spent in the bar, and an early start in the morning.

The old cliche - it must have been the string of onions and stripped shirt that did it.  

[Gilles]

I bet Eddie wasn't driving a Renault?  

Damn patriotic these French you know!!

Furthermore Wishy himself takes on the appearance of a middle aged French village dweller after a long nights' ferry crossing, some time spent in the bar, and an early start in the morning.

Same way to appear as local English people, not working with hovercraft or seecat because too fast to obtain any physical ressemblance  

[smokie]

wtf?

[Gilles]

wtm of wtf?

[smokie]

Gilles - what the f**k - by which I meant (in a nice way) that I didn't understand your post...

[Gilles]

Gilles - what the f**k - by which I meant (in a nice way) that I didn't understand your post...

the long night ferry crossing is also good for French people to look like autochtones in UK...  

[Mr Toad]

Spooky! I had an e-mail from Buzz (one of our longstanding team members) just last week. He was also stopped and given a 3 day "ban" in the Rouen sting - he wanted me to warn others and suggest some coping tactics - I posted his suggested approach yesterday on the BM...

http://www.beermountain.com/Buzz%20on%20French%20Road%20Law.htm

In summary - always drive with 2 people in the car, carry cash and only a photocopy of your licence..

[Andy Zarse]

Wise words Mr T. The only other advice I can give is don't climb on top of the Mayor's house and then drive off with his Tricolor. The Gendarmes get quite annoyed and it guarantees a trip to the cells for the evening; this is to be avoided at all costs.