Speed traps in France

[rocket]

Does anyone know whether the mobile speed traps used by French plod tend to be radar or laser? Might be a consideration if I buy some form of detector.
(I know they are illegal in France...but then hey, so is speeding.)

Cheers

Neil

[neilr]

the police in france do have speed guns and do use them, so watch out!

Never been caught myself, although my brother was pulled over and warned about his 'Grand visttesse' (however you spell it) as they were setting up a radar trap a couple of years ago on the way home and they merely warned him.

the fines for using detectors are heavy though.

[Chrisgr31]

Using, or just having a detector in your car is a serious offense in France. Probably cheaper to be caught for speeding!

[Thom]

Does anyone know whether the mobile speed traps used by French plod tend to be radar or laser?

As far as I know mobile speed traps are radars, not laser, since laser use can only be performed 'by hand' by the officer whose words are the evidence.

Do not get caught with a radar detector.

For the time being killing somebody in France is almost more acceptable than speeding...

>> Edited by Thom on Thursday 20th March 20:52

[FLAT 6]

I thought the gendarmes went on holiday over Le Mans weekend...

No seriously, compared to our lot they're reasonable people. A bike copper caught up with me doing about 90 on the road north to Alencon and his only gripe was that he had seen me overtaking a 2CV (doing about 30) on a solid white line. I think most of them are petrolheads..

That's me knicked and fined this year!

[Stig]

Keep your speed down through the towns and built up areas where you're likely to get a fat fine if you get caught 'pressing on'.

They're usually quite forgiving regarding giving it a bit of large on the faster roads.

As said above, leave the detectors at home.

[Thom]

FLAT 6 said:I think most of them are petrolheads...

It does not matter. They are on the road to make money first.
Whatever their nationality, plod remains plod.

[Ballistic Banana]

Thom said:

FLAT 6 said:I think most of them are petrolheads...

It does not matter. They are on the road to make money first.
Whatever their nationality, plod remains plod.

Disagree, most are Petrolheads and ones that take the odd back hander aswell :nodnodwinkwink: The way of mainland europeans.U gotta barter

BB

[adamdsc]

from people met at LM:

Griffith owner got £500 fine fo doing 125MPH and was quite happy with it.

WRX owner got a night in prison and missed the start of the race as he had a radar detector (which also got confiscated). He got a heavy fine too and his whole LM experience was ruined.

You are better off not taking the detector. A lot of the froggies are pretty good and flash their lights as a warning. I have noticed more speed detectors on the way back (to Caen) on a Sunday/Monday than on the way there (on a Fri).
Adamdsc

[vetteheadracer]

Last year south of Rouen there were a lot of cops looking for speeders. However, if you are sensible in town, you can do whatever speed you feel safe at on the Autoroutes. I have never seen a police car on the autoroutes and I have been to Le Mans each of the last 3 years. Got up to 162 in 2001 before I ran out of straight!!

[GT5S_1985]

French cops DO have laser as well as radar. Laser isn't quite as popular as the standard radar, but they do have them. I'll second what has been said about using a radar detector - they tend to frown on that. I have one - it's cordless to be more discrete, but I still only rarely use it. If you happen to pass an unmarked car and they see it, your day is over...

Note that French traffic laws have been updated several times in the past few years. Limits are lower, fines are higher and enforcement is up. A few years ago it was sort of a free-for-all where they slapped your hand and told you not to do it again... Ah, the good old days!

(This from someone with his, um multiple French speeding tickets framed on the wall... my "Wall of Shame" :-) )