Speeding in France

[BigSteve]

I am a firm believer that in France treat plod with respect and you'll be respected - they aren't as anal as our plod about speed, a group of 4 of us on bikes, touching 80 through Arnage were waved on by the police, all smilling!

Ahh, having just read that again - of course - they were probably on drugs!

If you've got all the peper work there is less to nick you for!

[Simon K]

I had my licence confiscated in 2003...I was doing about 129 kph in a 90 kph zone.

The polite gendarmes escorted 2 of us (support car that year was a Focus RS) via a cashpoint to a police station where they liberated us of 130 euros each and removed our licences.

Whilst that put a bit of a dampener on things (and we drove like nuns afterwards) it is worth observing that at least they couldn't give us any points and the gentlemen in question very obviously ignored our attempt at a subtle departure from the police station without our licences (my other half - the only other driver with us - drove my car around the corner and then ran back to collect the other one!).

Anyway - I've solved the problem this year by going in a 1927 vintage sports car!

[Radar]

There's a big chirac-inspired clampdown on speeding in France at the moment. They do have a special way of clamping down on brits heading for le mans. Essentially - up to 30kmh over the limit, small fine. 30-50kmh over, Big fine. More than 50kmh over - Huge fine (750 Euros) and on the spot ban. So carry lots of spare cash and a spare driver.
I'm not kidding - friend of mine got done two years ago for 110mph on the N-road, and was shafted big style.
On the motorways, you're OK up to 100mph, but watch out for cameras.

[vqdave]

Flashed twice on the way down there Friday night, first one on the entrance to the tunnel outside Rouen, front facing, 2am flash in the dark, bollox, well that kept me awake, thanks mr gendarme. Then flashed again in Le Mans on the dual carraigeway bit between town and the circuit. Nob.

Ah well got there as the sky was starting to get light SAturday morning, the birds were starting to sign, fireworks popping off here and there, and my first beer was opened. Magic. Good Morning Le Mans!!

[Bob U]

Flashed twice?  That would never happen in the £50 Merc

[Robbo SPS]

90 Euro fine for Kate - 182kph in 110 limit. She tried talking her way out of it, in French, until Monsieur Plod announched - Car Impounded....


Voila- 90 Euros monsieur.

Copy of the ticket on web very soon.......

[Barry]

90 Euro fine for Kate - 182kph in 110 limit. She tried talking her way out of it, in French, until Monsieur Plod announched - Car Impounded....


Voila- 90 Euros monsieur.

Copy of the ticket on web very soon.......

Admire Kate's bottle, that much over the limit I'd have taken the 90€ wrist slap and buggered off sharpish.

[alibongo]

Monseur Plod were certainly out in force on mad friday, did the mandatory full throttle launch for the Annapolis drag strip......just getting it wound right up in 3rd to be confronted by Plod holding a hair drier........good job I've just fitted new brake pads 

[Steve Pyro]

90 Euro fine for Kate - 182kph in 110 limit. She tried talking her way out of it, in French, until Monsieur Plod announched - Car Impounded....


Voila- 90 Euros monsieur.

Copy of the ticket on web very soon.......

90 euros for 72 k over the limit - she got off very lightly (must be because she's of the fairer sex  )

[Fran]

Flashed twice?  That would never happen in the £50 Merc

I got flashed a few times too, nothing to do with speed cameras tho!   

[chrisbeatty]

I got flashed a few times too, nothing to do with speed cameras tho!   

Fran...shuush!! What happens at the 'poo bar stay's at the 'poo bar

We had another successful trip, well no speeding tickets anyway!! You've got to watch out for signs for the fixed cameras & keep an eye out for oncoming vehicles flashing you & don't go too crazy with the speed

[Kpy]

Glad to see that no CA members have reported being caught for excessive speeding. Round my way (200 miles from the circuit) the police stopped 11 drivers over the LM week, including an unspecifed number of French, for speeds on the motorway between 201 and 234 kph. All foreign drivers were fined 750 euros, had their licences confiscated, and were banned from driving in France. The French had their licences confiscated and suspended pending court appearances.
No figures for lesser offences.

[Fran]

I got flashed a few times too, nothing to do with speed cameras tho!   

Fran...shuush!! What happens at the 'poo bar stay's at the 'poo bar

   Chris - I wasnt actually talking about any poo bar incident!!  This was campsite flashing!

[Barry]

I got flashed a few times too, nothing to do with speed cameras tho!   

Fran...shuush!! What happens at the 'poo bar stay's at the 'poo bar

   Chris - I wasnt actually talking about any poo bar incident!!  This was campsite flashing!

Any excuse and Kevin seemed to be willing to drop 'em.