French Driving - Top Tips
Discussion
Not a 'remember to drive on the left' nanny-like thread, but hopefully a real-life useful info thread for intelligent drivers.
Top-tip #1: Remember that Les Francais do NOT stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings, so if YOU decide to haul the brakes and stop, watch out for inattentive Jean-Paul behind you as he will not expect you to be slowing.
Top-tip #2: Carry at least €90 in cash with you at all times. Speeding fines must be paid on the spot so if you have no cash you will be escorted to the nearest cashpoint to make a withdrawal and pay the fine.
Top tip #3: Sidelights are illegal (yes, really). Either use no lights or main beams.
Top-tip #1: Remember that Les Francais do NOT stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings, so if YOU decide to haul the brakes and stop, watch out for inattentive Jean-Paul behind you as he will not expect you to be slowing.
Top-tip #2: Carry at least €90 in cash with you at all times. Speeding fines must be paid on the spot so if you have no cash you will be escorted to the nearest cashpoint to make a withdrawal and pay the fine.
Top tip #3: Sidelights are illegal (yes, really). Either use no lights or main beams.
up-the-dubs said:You should stricly have a set on but most don't due to the hassle involved.
Whats the story with those beam bender things? Lots of photos of peoples cars there but can't spot any covered lights.
Chuck a Halfrauds set in your car and worry about it if it gets dark, otherwise carry on without them!
Toe Tags said:And TVR headlights are about as useful as Saab/Volvo side lights and I've never heard of any problems.
I don't think side lights are an issue as some cars sidelights (Volvo, Saab etc) are permanently on.
The Haynes Driving Abroad book mentions nothing of it, but I've heard the rule before, so I guess some other European countries apply it and EU harmonisation will probably mean France too in the future...
blackscooby said:That's my plan, chances are I'd spend an age cutting up the benders to fit the tiny lights, then find the one fitted to gas discharge main beams had melted causing a sticky mess!
oh and I can't fit beam benders either on the HID lights.... Just won't drive in the dark !
goodlife said:
Not a 'remember to drive on the left' nanny-like thread, but hopefully a real-life useful info thread for intelligent drivers.
Top-tip #1: Remember that Les Francais do NOT stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings, so if YOU decide to haul the brakes and stop, watch out for inattentive Jean-Paul behind you as he will not expect you to be slowing.
Well they do if the pedestrian is already on the crossing - usually.
Top-tip #2: Carry at least €90 in cash with you at all times. Speeding fines must be paid on the spot so if you have no cash you will be escorted to the nearest cashpoint to make a withdrawal and pay the fine.
Top tip #3: Sidelights are illegal (yes, really). Either use no lights or main beams.
Never heard that one before. What do they do about Saabs and Volvos?
Also remember on local roads traffic pulling out from the right has right of way and also, on some roundabouts traffic entering the roundabout has right of way. Although the latter are few and far between now.
t1grm said:
Top tip #3: Sidelights are illegal (yes, really). Either use no lights or main beams.
Never heard that one before. What do they do about Saabs and Volvos?
[/quote] I guess if those going down in the Swedes are worried, all they need to do is make sure that the headlights are on all the time?
Nuggs said:
Top tip #3: Sidelights are illegal (yes, really). Either use no lights or main beams.
Never heard that one before. What do they do about Saabs and Volvos?
I guess if those going down in the Swedes are worried, all they need to do is make sure that the headlights are on all the time?[/quote]
Yes but what about French people that own Volvos and Saabs? Do they disable them just for the French market?
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