Gendarmarie and speeding
Discussion
Last I heard was at 40+km over the limit you are at risk of an on the spot 750 Euro fine which acts as a deposit against a court case, confiscation of your licence for use during the court case, plus an on the spot ban from driving in France for a week or two. Always a good idea to have any passenger travelling with you, carrying their own licence and fully insured on your vehicle, should the need arise for them to take the helm.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 17th May 09:54
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 17th May 09:54
They dont give any warning, a police motorcyclist will just pall out, wave in to follow him down the road to the patrol car. They will check your documents and ask for CASH. If you dont have enough they keep your Passport and escort you to the nearest cash piont.
If you don't have enough because you spent all your doe on getting to Le Mans your in big sh*t
If you don't have enough because you spent all your doe on getting to Le Mans your in big sh*t
Don't be tempted to overtake a whole line of cars across a solid line down the middle of the road either, just 'cos you can see for miles!
We did this last year in a seriously underpowered 1.6 Hyundai Coupe. Wound it up a treat on a dead straight piece of tarmac and got past a load of traffic in one hit, only for a BiB to step out from a bush and pull us over. Apparently, he wasn't that fussed about our speed but was more concerned about 'ze dangerous overtaking'.
Anyway, one lecture in Franglais and 70 euros later, we continued.
We did this last year in a seriously underpowered 1.6 Hyundai Coupe. Wound it up a treat on a dead straight piece of tarmac and got past a load of traffic in one hit, only for a BiB to step out from a bush and pull us over. Apparently, he wasn't that fussed about our speed but was more concerned about 'ze dangerous overtaking'.
Anyway, one lecture in Franglais and 70 euros later, we continued.
Toll booth speed checks are indeed an urban myth. How
else could I have driven back from the south of france
(Ste. Maxime) to Calais in 7.5 hours + 1 hour of fuel stops? (average 16mpg in a 300bhp+ Impreza).
In www.beermountain.com they recommend that you don't
take your actual driving license, just a photocopy.
Anyway, what I do is go a completely different way
than everyone else will and then there are no police,
empty roads, longer but quicker, bliss.
Here are some french phrases to use in case you get pulled:
"Pourquoi vous ne vous cassez pas vous chatte française" - Your uniform looks magnificent officer.
"Toutes les français sont les lâches spineless" - Everyone in France considers you to be peerless.
"Est la raison pour laquelle vous harcelez les anglais une manière de nous rembourser pour sauver vos vies dans la guerre" - Your nation has a proud history and it is an honour for me to be in your presence.
"Vous avez un grands nez et puer l'ail" - I thought I was in Germany.
"donnez-moi votre pistolet ou je vais vous tuer" - I'm really terribly sorry for going so fast I was distracted.
>> Edited by Oversteer on Tuesday 17th May 15:25
else could I have driven back from the south of france
(Ste. Maxime) to Calais in 7.5 hours + 1 hour of fuel stops? (average 16mpg in a 300bhp+ Impreza).
In www.beermountain.com they recommend that you don't
take your actual driving license, just a photocopy.
Anyway, what I do is go a completely different way
than everyone else will and then there are no police,
empty roads, longer but quicker, bliss.
Here are some french phrases to use in case you get pulled:
"Pourquoi vous ne vous cassez pas vous chatte française" - Your uniform looks magnificent officer.
"Toutes les français sont les lâches spineless" - Everyone in France considers you to be peerless.
"Est la raison pour laquelle vous harcelez les anglais une manière de nous rembourser pour sauver vos vies dans la guerre" - Your nation has a proud history and it is an honour for me to be in your presence.
"Vous avez un grands nez et puer l'ail" - I thought I was in Germany.
"donnez-moi votre pistolet ou je vais vous tuer" - I'm really terribly sorry for going so fast I was distracted.
>> Edited by Oversteer on Tuesday 17th May 15:25
Toll booth timing may or may not be a myth. What is not a myth is the frequency of hidden speed checks that occur within the 6 miles prior to toll booths.
They then have the choice of either following you to where you have to stop or more likely radioing ahead to a team of gendarmes waiting at the toll booths ready for you to buy a souvenir certificate confirming how fast you've driven.
DAZ
They then have the choice of either following you to where you have to stop or more likely radioing ahead to a team of gendarmes waiting at the toll booths ready for you to buy a souvenir certificate confirming how fast you've driven.
DAZ
Another point.
Driving through France last year from Austria, making good time along the Autorout we came to the Toll booth, paid the amount due. On the barrier being opened their local Customs Officer told us to park in the lay-by.
No mention of average speed being OVER their maximum, but they ordered both myself and partner out of the car with guns in their hands.
They proceeded to search every inch (mm) of my XKR. Opening every case, box, bag even asking what was in a small packet of personal items my partner uses (don't know what that was, something about feminine hygiene)
They did not find anything that they were looking for, proberly just wanted to waste our time
Driving through France last year from Austria, making good time along the Autorout we came to the Toll booth, paid the amount due. On the barrier being opened their local Customs Officer told us to park in the lay-by.
No mention of average speed being OVER their maximum, but they ordered both myself and partner out of the car with guns in their hands.
They proceeded to search every inch (mm) of my XKR. Opening every case, box, bag even asking what was in a small packet of personal items my partner uses (don't know what that was, something about feminine hygiene)
They did not find anything that they were looking for, proberly just wanted to waste our time
Oversteer said:
Here are some french phrases to use in case you get pulled:
"Pourquoi vous ne vous cassez pas vous chatte française" - Your uniform looks magnificent officer.
"Toutes les français sont les lâches spineless" - Everyone in France considers you to be peerless.
"Est la raison pour laquelle vous harcelez les anglais une manière de nous rembourser pour sauver vos vies dans la guerre" - Your nation has a proud history and it is an honour for me to be in your presence.
"Vous avez un grands nez et puer l'ail" - I thought I was in Germany.
"donnez-moi votre pistolet ou je vais vous tuer" - I'm really terribly sorry for going so fast I was distracted.
I was reciting these to the guys in the office, completely forgetting that in the office behind is a French manager, judging from his expression, I think some of these comments may attract more attention than you first realise
This one seemed to impress him aswell:
Vous spankers de singe de manger de fromage:- You have a fine tradition of wine in this area....
Oversteer said:
In <a href="www.beermountain.com">www.beermountain.com</a> they recommend that you don't
take your actual driving license, just a photocopy.
sorry if this is a dumb question but why take a photocopy and not the real thing?
My experience last Friday on the A16 btwn Boulgne and Amiens:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=65&t=179527
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=65&t=179527
As with the UK, speeding in towns and villages is frowned upon by the BiBs.
Speeding on the motorway is less likely to attract their attention, but is by no means safe.
The N138 from Rouen to Alencon is the most likely place you will see BiBs waiting for those nice UK registered speeding cars.
If you see a vehicle coming the other way flashing their lights be warned, they are not trying to tell you you have a nice car!
I am very vigilant when driving in France and try to stick to the speed limits on the N roads especially.
The motorway from Calais to Rouen is a better place to speed if you must, but beware that in the last couple of years there have been targeted campaigns aimed at UK motorists, leaving Calais, not necessarily during Le Mans week, but the French are not stupid, they know that every year thousands of Brits drive to Le Mans.
In my experience the French police are much more "sports car" friendly and like the cars, but they do take a dim view of people who speed especially in towns and villages and quite right too IMHO.
Would you like some French bloke coming to England and driving at 100 mph past your kids school?
Speeding on the motorway is less likely to attract their attention, but is by no means safe.
The N138 from Rouen to Alencon is the most likely place you will see BiBs waiting for those nice UK registered speeding cars.
If you see a vehicle coming the other way flashing their lights be warned, they are not trying to tell you you have a nice car!
I am very vigilant when driving in France and try to stick to the speed limits on the N roads especially.
The motorway from Calais to Rouen is a better place to speed if you must, but beware that in the last couple of years there have been targeted campaigns aimed at UK motorists, leaving Calais, not necessarily during Le Mans week, but the French are not stupid, they know that every year thousands of Brits drive to Le Mans.
In my experience the French police are much more "sports car" friendly and like the cars, but they do take a dim view of people who speed especially in towns and villages and quite right too IMHO.
Would you like some French bloke coming to England and driving at 100 mph past your kids school?
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