ABOVE: Rules Of The Road

Rules Of The Road

A recent survey of British motorists suggested that almost half were unaware of even the most basic legal requirements for driving in France. The survey of 2,000 drivers found that 44 per cent had not displayed the compulsory GB sticker and another 40 per cent failed to carry a warning triangle. While these may seem fairly minor infringements, they could lead to an onthe- spot fine. The survey also revealed that motorists find roundabouts and road signs the most difficult aspects of driving in France, followed by driving on the right. And with one in seven drivers claiming that driving in France leads to in-car arguments with their partners, perhaps it is time to highlight a few rules and offer some tips to help make your French motoring holiday a more pleasurable and safer experience.

Speed limits
In recent years French police have drastically clamped down on speeding. There are more than 1,000 fixed radar cameras on French roads, which they are all forewarned. Around half a kilometre before each speed camera in France, there is a large, prominent sign, warning drivers they are approaching a speed camera. However, although the warning sign is prominent, the camera that follows is often hidden under a bridge, screened by a road barrier or roadside shrubbery. In addition, there are also many more mobile cameras used by gendarmes to catch speeding motorists. These may be set up at the roadside, but increasingly they use unmarked cars parked in lay-bys with speed cameras hidden inside. I recently saw a mobile speed camera hidden in a bush at the end of a long straight road – that particular traffic policeman must have hit his quota of speeders very quickly.

Read the full article on pages 56-58 of this months issue.

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