European police
05-31-2006, 01:25 AM
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European police
Like several other members I am off to France this year 
I have not driven there for a while and was wondering what the police are like over there ATM? On the motorways you used to be able to drive well over the speed limit along with all of the other cars but have they become more strict?
If you get caught speeding can they endorse your UK licence or is it just a fine? If a fine how much is likley?
Any advice welcome...
PS My tickets just arrived for Silverstone, I can't wait!
I have not driven there for a while and was wondering what the police are like over there ATM? On the motorways you used to be able to drive well over the speed limit along with all of the other cars but have they become more strict?
If you get caught speeding can they endorse your UK licence or is it just a fine? If a fine how much is likley?
Any advice welcome...
PS My tickets just arrived for Silverstone, I can't wait!
05-31-2006, 01:49 AM
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We came back from Nurburgring recent cruising at 100mph. I believe theres a big fine if you go over that speed in Belgium. Most traffic was going about 90mph so this seem reasonable.
However we did go through a speed camera getting nearer to Calais so keep an eye on the signs
However we did go through a speed camera getting nearer to Calais so keep an eye on the signs
05-31-2006, 01:51 AM
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Drove in Europe last year.
Generally the French have slowed down. Speed traps appear a lot on the RN and N routes now, and there are even gatsos on some stretches of autoroute (particularly in cities, and some on the A7).
90mph/145kph is fine on the autoroute - afterall the limit in the dry is 80mph/130kph! Remember the limit is 110kph if you need to use your windscreen wipers.
Also in France the signs on roads indicating you are entering a town (red border) indicate a 50kph limit. The sign indicating you are leaving the town shows that limit no longer applies.
In Germany there are gatsos placed frequently just after the delimited sections end - that is just after, no slowing down sections! They are hot on policing now in the limited sections.
In Italy, they still don't give a toss
Remember, laser/radar detectors are generally illegal on the continent, with huge fines available.
Generally the French have slowed down. Speed traps appear a lot on the RN and N routes now, and there are even gatsos on some stretches of autoroute (particularly in cities, and some on the A7).
90mph/145kph is fine on the autoroute - afterall the limit in the dry is 80mph/130kph! Remember the limit is 110kph if you need to use your windscreen wipers.
Also in France the signs on roads indicating you are entering a town (red border) indicate a 50kph limit. The sign indicating you are leaving the town shows that limit no longer applies.
In Germany there are gatsos placed frequently just after the delimited sections end - that is just after, no slowing down sections! They are hot on policing now in the limited sections.
In Italy, they still don't give a toss
Remember, laser/radar detectors are generally illegal on the continent, with huge fines available.
05-31-2006, 01:52 AM
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05-31-2006, 01:59 AM
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French motoroways are generally 130kph, with the odd 110kph stretch. They seem to police the 110kph bits more religiously as there are radar traps and whatnot - watch out for the signs with concentric semicircles on the left and a car and bike on the right, there'll be a big grey box with cameras/radars in it shortly after. I think that's monitored at a control station and radioed to bikes/cars on the road as the bikes that got me came out of nowhere and just in time to get me off the junction to the gendarmerie.
Many reasons for 110kph sections, but the one that got me was because it was a steep descent (5% gradient iirc).
You get escorted off to a gendarmerie where you pay a fine and get your documents inspected before signing a little receipt thingy. 90 Euro was my fine - 138 in a 110.
edit - that fine table mentions points. Be interesting to see if I get a letter
Many reasons for 110kph sections, but the one that got me was because it was a steep descent (5% gradient iirc).
You get escorted off to a gendarmerie where you pay a fine and get your documents inspected before signing a little receipt thingy. 90 Euro was my fine - 138 in a 110.
edit - that fine table mentions points. Be interesting to see if I get a letter
05-31-2006, 03:10 AM
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I have driven in France now for many years and touch wood never had a problem. As mentioned the old signs showing half circles and a car and bike on them with the word RADAR signify a static speed camera. 2 points to note with these:
1. They give you VERY little warning.
2. The cameras are large grey boxes simlar to our electricity substation boxes therefore lower and harder to see!
Mid and Southern France is normally pretty plain sailing. Northern France particularly on the main routes to Calais and other ports are getting pretty hot now. The gendarmes hide quite well too! Remember the cars are dark blue and they often sit in little gaps/laybys just pointing the radar gun out the window! They seem alot more "bothered" in N France. Southern areas usually get a shake of the head or a waggle of the finger!
Beware of speed limits that vary in the wet AND speed limits that vary according to times of year in tourist areas!
Last year I blasted past 3 cars to discover halfway along that the lead car was a police car!!!! I pulled in front of him and apologetically waved my hand. The response was" the passenger policeman folding down his sunvisor to display the "Gendarmes" emblazoned on it and fits of laughter from them!" I guess I was lucky! I found most were just really interested in the car (think the TG Clarkson incident)
Edd
1. They give you VERY little warning.
2. The cameras are large grey boxes simlar to our electricity substation boxes therefore lower and harder to see!
Mid and Southern France is normally pretty plain sailing. Northern France particularly on the main routes to Calais and other ports are getting pretty hot now. The gendarmes hide quite well too! Remember the cars are dark blue and they often sit in little gaps/laybys just pointing the radar gun out the window! They seem alot more "bothered" in N France. Southern areas usually get a shake of the head or a waggle of the finger!
Beware of speed limits that vary in the wet AND speed limits that vary according to times of year in tourist areas!
Last year I blasted past 3 cars to discover halfway along that the lead car was a police car!!!! I pulled in front of him and apologetically waved my hand. The response was" the passenger policeman folding down his sunvisor to display the "Gendarmes" emblazoned on it and fits of laughter from them!" I guess I was lucky! I found most were just really interested in the car (think the TG Clarkson incident)
Edd
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05-31-2006, 03:49 AM
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The points don't count... yet. Plans are to bring it in but it doesn't happen yet.
remember not to speed too much between peage booths. If you do it too quickly they alert the gendarmerie.
remember not to speed too much between peage booths. If you do it too quickly they alert the gendarmerie.
05-31-2006, 03:54 AM
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Thanks for the replies...
I had heard a roumour that you could get fined at peage stops if you had been travelling too fast. Any confirmation wether this is definately the case?
Of course I would never actually speed deliberately, this info will only be used if I accidentally transgress in appropriate weather/time/traffic conditions!
Alex
I had heard a roumour that you could get fined at peage stops if you had been travelling too fast. Any confirmation wether this is definately the case?
Of course I would never actually speed deliberately, this info will only be used if I accidentally transgress in appropriate weather/time/traffic conditions!
Alex