French Speed Traps
Discussion
Hi all,
In May I drove through France, Switzerland and into Italy. Saw fixed cams etc, not speeding much (no real need, 130 kmh is a good cruise for fuel/speed trade-off).
So I also saw French Police waiting to pull cars out of the queues at the toll booths. I had numerous 'High Risk Zone' warnings of mobile traps on Autoroutes on my Snooper sat nav, seem to co-incide with gated service road areas. I also saw very fast traffic pass me before some of the policed tolls, so I expected to see them getting a tug and never did.
My question is this: what does a french speed trap look like? Is it a hidden copper with a laser gun in the hedges next to these service roads, or on flyovers and 'sort of' visible (like UK)? What threshold do they use? I hit 150 kmh a few times adjusting my place in the traffic (mostly light) but generally never saw over 140kmh on my SATNAV.
In May I drove through France, Switzerland and into Italy. Saw fixed cams etc, not speeding much (no real need, 130 kmh is a good cruise for fuel/speed trade-off).
So I also saw French Police waiting to pull cars out of the queues at the toll booths. I had numerous 'High Risk Zone' warnings of mobile traps on Autoroutes on my Snooper sat nav, seem to co-incide with gated service road areas. I also saw very fast traffic pass me before some of the policed tolls, so I expected to see them getting a tug and never did.
My question is this: what does a french speed trap look like? Is it a hidden copper with a laser gun in the hedges next to these service roads, or on flyovers and 'sort of' visible (like UK)? What threshold do they use? I hit 150 kmh a few times adjusting my place in the traffic (mostly light) but generally never saw over 140kmh on my SATNAV.
Davidonly said:
Hi all,
My question is this: what does a french speed trap look like? Is it a hidden copper with a laser gun in the hedges next to these service roads, or on flyovers and 'sort of' visible (like UK)? What threshold do they use? I hit 150 kmh a few times adjusting my place in the traffic (mostly light) but generally never saw over 140kmh on my SATNAV.
Don't know about all of France but where I live (SW) the speed traps are mostly in sneaky places - hidden behind bushes, vehicle parked in lay-bys, immediately as you come round a fast sweeping bend so you have no chance. Always seem to be several gendarmes hanging around doing nothing while one guy takes aim with his laser. Other motorists are very good about flashing you though but as the roads are often empty it's still easy to get caught. From friends that have been 'done' there is virtually no tolerance - one guy got done for doing 53 in a 50kph zone, so there's no 'allow an extra 10% plus a couple'.My question is this: what does a french speed trap look like? Is it a hidden copper with a laser gun in the hedges next to these service roads, or on flyovers and 'sort of' visible (like UK)? What threshold do they use? I hit 150 kmh a few times adjusting my place in the traffic (mostly light) but generally never saw over 140kmh on my SATNAV.
I think you're still safe if you're on UK plates as the fine doesn't make its way over the channel (yet). Mind you, if you get stopped for speeding rather than just flashed they'll happily fine you on the spot and if your doing more than 50kph over the limit they'll fine you, have your car and licence and you can walk home.
Happy motoring
I've never seen anything like a talivan in France - always a real gendarme with a real laser device.
You're right about the gated service roads. The A28 is a new autoroute (Amiens-Tours via Rouen and Le Mans). These service roads exist where the autoroute crosses the path of an previous road. So there is always a bridge next to this area also. The police just sit there in the gated area in their cars with speed traps ready.
They are hot in towns - as per before. The French don't exceed 50 in towns any more, and nor should you.
Gatsos are always well signposted, but tough to spot - they do exist in 130 sections on the open autoroute. Normally low squat green/grey boxes - often hidden behind signs.
You're right about the gated service roads. The A28 is a new autoroute (Amiens-Tours via Rouen and Le Mans). These service roads exist where the autoroute crosses the path of an previous road. So there is always a bridge next to this area also. The police just sit there in the gated area in their cars with speed traps ready.
They are hot in towns - as per before. The French don't exceed 50 in towns any more, and nor should you.
Gatsos are always well signposted, but tough to spot - they do exist in 130 sections on the open autoroute. Normally low squat green/grey boxes - often hidden behind signs.
http://english.controleradar.org/speed-camera-tech...
This is the best website for general speed camera information. In 49, we also have estate cars with camera equipment in the back.
I have also seen a system on the A13 where a temporary camera was set-up under a bridge and transmitted realtime info to two gendarmes with a laptop in the service station car park.
The most normal method of policing trunk roads is for CRS motcyclists to have portable radar equiment in their panniers. They read your speed when you are up to 1km away and then pull you over, as you approach.
This is the best website for general speed camera information. In 49, we also have estate cars with camera equipment in the back.
I have also seen a system on the A13 where a temporary camera was set-up under a bridge and transmitted realtime info to two gendarmes with a laptop in the service station car park.
The most normal method of policing trunk roads is for CRS motcyclists to have portable radar equiment in their panniers. They read your speed when you are up to 1km away and then pull you over, as you approach.
rdjohn said:
we also have estate cars with camera equipment in the back.
This seems to be the way they are going, mondeo & laguna estates with the camera in the back, park it up and leave it for a couple of hours. Often to be found just after the speed drops from 50 to 30 as you head into a town or village. Fixed cameras do seem to have a small tolerance - 75 in a 70 zone - I got snapped at 76 
They guys at the tolls are acting on info from a laser toting hedge dweller a couple of kms before the toll.
I've heard that if you get caught with a detector/jammer they take a very dim view
dazren said:
Puggit said:
I've never seen anything like a talivan in France.
Watch out for unmarked parked cars with cameras built into their bumpers. I kid you not. Don't know if it's a recent thing but they are out there now.Been caught three times in 4 years now by the same temporary camera - as you can tell i'm not very bright. It sits on a tripod on top of a concrete walled flyover so you can juuuuuuuusssssst about see it, but by the time you do, it's too late. The peage is about 2 km's further on and as you get to the barrier, a very nice Genadarme wanders across, invites you to park at the side of the road and empites your wallet of 60 Euros and says merci monsieur, ou revoir. Very professional and well done.
And i've got no gripes, it's my own stupid effing fault for a) not slowing down, and b) not noticing it.
Also seen cameras built in the side and tailgate of cars and vans, there's some really sneaky ones. So you've got to either be prepared to pay the fine if you speed, or slow down. No big deal is it?
And i've got no gripes, it's my own stupid effing fault for a) not slowing down, and b) not noticing it.
Also seen cameras built in the side and tailgate of cars and vans, there's some really sneaky ones. So you've got to either be prepared to pay the fine if you speed, or slow down. No big deal is it?
ColinM50 said:
No big deal is it?
As they can (and do) impound your car if you are far enough over the limit, and effectively issue an on-the-spot ban, you might have a problem if you are the only licensed/insured driver. I seem to recall one of the motor mags getting caught out some time ago.
No big deal is it?
As they can (and do) impound your car if you are far enough over the limit, and effectively issue an on-the-spot ban, you might have a problem if you are the only licensed/insured driver. I seem to recall one of the motor mags getting caught out some time ago.
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