French Speeding
Discussion
I wonder if anyone can give me some advice, apart from on my recklessness, or have had a similar experience, about being stopped for speeding in France?
I was stopped near Rouen on almost deserted motorway doing 180kph. I paid an on the spot fine of Euro 750 and was summonsed to appear at the Magistrates Court in Bernay in October. Luckily my brother-in-law was with me and was insured, otherwise they would have impounded the car. My licence was confiscated and I was allowed to go on my way.
Being very, very contrite and apologetic made no difference to the very professional and polite Gendarmes who stopped me.
Does anyone know the answers to these questions? Any help would be much appreciated.
Is a custodial sentence possible?
What type of fine could I expect?
If I fail to turn up in person will they persue me in the English Courts?
Does the sentence have any repercussions for my driving in the UK and my UK insurance?
Thanks.
I was stopped near Rouen on almost deserted motorway doing 180kph. I paid an on the spot fine of Euro 750 and was summonsed to appear at the Magistrates Court in Bernay in October. Luckily my brother-in-law was with me and was insured, otherwise they would have impounded the car. My licence was confiscated and I was allowed to go on my way.
Being very, very contrite and apologetic made no difference to the very professional and polite Gendarmes who stopped me.
Does anyone know the answers to these questions? Any help would be much appreciated.
Is a custodial sentence possible?
What type of fine could I expect?
If I fail to turn up in person will they persue me in the English Courts?
Does the sentence have any repercussions for my driving in the UK and my UK insurance?
Thanks.
The "fine" was actually a deposit to ensure you attend court (which they know you are unlikely to do).
If you don't attend, then you lose your "deposit". The chances of being pursued in the UK are infinitessimally tiny. If you don't attend court, however, it would not be a good idea to return to France in the same vehicle any time soon.
This matter has absolutely no bearing on your right to drive in the UK, nor do you need to inform your insurance company.
If you don't attend, then you lose your "deposit". The chances of being pursued in the UK are infinitessimally tiny. If you don't attend court, however, it would not be a good idea to return to France in the same vehicle any time soon.
This matter has absolutely no bearing on your right to drive in the UK, nor do you need to inform your insurance company.
Edited by PottyMouth on Monday 24th August 13:51
180kmh oops
I was caught at 160 and got fined 90€ - but I was driving a french car with french ins as I live in france (though Im english)
they never took my license but warned me any more serious speeding offences they would ask me to transfer my license to a french one!
They say 145 is the most they will let you off with, but im not so sure!
I was caught at 160 and got fined 90€ - but I was driving a french car with french ins as I live in france (though Im english)
they never took my license but warned me any more serious speeding offences they would ask me to transfer my license to a french one!
They say 145 is the most they will let you off with, but im not so sure!
I was nicked at 172kmh last August, I was fined 90 euros and they took my licence and explained that I was banned, so Mrs BG had to drive. Anything 40kmh above the posted limit is an automatic ban. I was told that they would return my licence to me in the post, but they never did, so I just applied for a duplicate.
Over the last couple of years, France has become less tolerant over speeding, the 'You're nicked' thresholds are much lower than here, the same percentage above the limit here that wouldn't even see you getting pulled over will actually now get you banned on the spot in France. Inconvenient if you're a tourist, a job losing disaster if you're local.
We get off very lightly here in the UK.
Over the last couple of years, France has become less tolerant over speeding, the 'You're nicked' thresholds are much lower than here, the same percentage above the limit here that wouldn't even see you getting pulled over will actually now get you banned on the spot in France. Inconvenient if you're a tourist, a job losing disaster if you're local.
We get off very lightly here in the UK.
Been driving in France long time got my first ticket last week end 101k in 90 limit.
The system is that below 100 they allow -5k for speedo error so I was done for 96 over 100 allowance is -5%. Talking to a mate he got 58 in a 50 so -5 was done for 53k in a 50 It's tough. It was on a well known road N10 but they were so far off the roadside in a rest halt / layby that I did not think they were checking it's a dual carrageway with a 90 limit not 110 which is normal also lots of sections with 50k limit.
Just be careful.
The system is that below 100 they allow -5k for speedo error so I was done for 96 over 100 allowance is -5%. Talking to a mate he got 58 in a 50 so -5 was done for 53k in a 50 It's tough. It was on a well known road N10 but they were so far off the roadside in a rest halt / layby that I did not think they were checking it's a dual carrageway with a 90 limit not 110 which is normal also lots of sections with 50k limit.
Just be careful.
I'm sure I've said it before but I'll say it again;
"It is my understanding that the standing orders for all French Law enforcement officers (Gendarmes, Police Municipal, AVSPs etc etc) is that if they have nothing else to do then they are to go and monitor the speed in their area"
So basically you are as likely to see a speed trap on an Autoroute, Route Nationale, A or B road.... you have indeed been warned.
"It is my understanding that the standing orders for all French Law enforcement officers (Gendarmes, Police Municipal, AVSPs etc etc) is that if they have nothing else to do then they are to go and monitor the speed in their area"
So basically you are as likely to see a speed trap on an Autoroute, Route Nationale, A or B road.... you have indeed been warned.
leyorkie said:
Been driving in France long time got my first ticket last week end 101k in 90 limit.
The system is that below 100 they allow -5k for speedo error so I was done for 96 over 100 allowance is -5%. Talking to a mate he got 58 in a 50 so -5 was done for 53k in a 50 It's tough. It was on a well known road N10 but they were so far off the roadside in a rest halt / layby that I did not think they were checking it's a dual carrageway with a 90 limit not 110 which is normal also lots of sections with 50k limit.
Just be careful.
Too right- be very, very careful! I got a €45 fine for doing 96 in a 90 zone...minus the 5kmh meant I was only 1kmh over the limit The system is that below 100 they allow -5k for speedo error so I was done for 96 over 100 allowance is -5%. Talking to a mate he got 58 in a 50 so -5 was done for 53k in a 50 It's tough. It was on a well known road N10 but they were so far off the roadside in a rest halt / layby that I did not think they were checking it's a dual carrageway with a 90 limit not 110 which is normal also lots of sections with 50k limit.
Just be careful.
They're stricter than strict regarding speeding. Just go to Germany if you want to let rip, works for me!Whats happened to the french?I'm going to the Vosges in a couple of days and I know of a bit of road near St Dizier where it keeps changing limits from dual carriageway to single several times and they wait either in their white vans with cams or blue renaults,i'm always careful there
P
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jvr said:
Whats happened to the french?I'm going to the Vosges in a couple of days and I know of a bit of road near St Dizier where it keeps changing limits from dual carriageway to single several times and they wait either in their white vans with cams or blue renaults,i'm always careful there
P
It has been like that for years. It all changed in December 2002 when the following happened..P
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Police and rescue workers were still searching a river in southern France last night for the body of one of five young volunteer firemen killed by a speeding driver in a tragedy that has horrified the country.
The five firemen, all from the small town of Loriol-sur-Drome near Valence, were part of a group of nine working at the scene of another accident on a motorway bridge over the river Drome on Friday night when an 81-year old man driving at more than 90mph - twice the speed limit - ploughed into them.
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Chirac made a pledge to change the counties record on speeding. From then on more cameras have been put in place and police are always out looking to get speeding drivers.
Just back from France 2000 mile trip roads very quiet this time not much activity on Autoroute with speeding but on the section up to Calais yesterday afternoon 3 UK police motorcycle cops kept going past me at well over 100mph with blue lights blazing then would stop at the next exit got off bike and look back up the road! What was all this about? This went on for many miles!
andyleeds said:
i got pulled at 176 kmh, the policeman was a very nice chap, he showed me a little matrix that he had with him and the 177 kmh was highlighted......he said that was a ban. so all i got was a 90 euro fine......which i was happy with as earlier i was quite a bit faster than that.....
In my experience they usually are quite civil about it all........ btw the €90 was merely a deposit 50/50 whether you'll ever hear anything else from them though....Gassing Station | France | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff