Speed Camera Detection Rules in France- has anyone been caught and given huge punishment under French Rules

Zentex

Zentex

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May 24, 2023
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What does the French law say?​

French laws ban drivers from carrying devices that can detect speed cameras. This covers:

  • Radar and laser detectors, which pick up the signal from mobile speed cameras
  • GPS systems which show fixed speed cameras that exist on a database
Banned GPS systems can include sat navs and other navigation devices that show you where fixed speed cameras are.

'Jammers' which block the signal from a speed camera to stop you being caught are illegal, both here and abroad.


What are the penalties?​

If you're caught with one of the banned devices, you could be penalised. Penalties can include:

  • Fines of up to €1,500
  • Confiscation of the device
  • The vehicle being confiscated
Penalties can be issued if you're using the device or if you simply have it in the car, even if it's switched off. THIS SEEMS VERY SCARY TO ME !


What should I do with my camera detector?​

If your satnav can show French camera locations in France then you must at least disable camera alerts before driving in France. VERY ONOROUS HAVE FUNSTERS DONE THIS IN FEAR OF THE ABOVE FINES?

We recommend that you contact the manufacturer of the satnav for advice. It's likely that an update exists that'll actually remove camera info for France from the device.

If you have a satnav system built into your car then we recommend contacting the vehicle manufacturer in the first instance.

If you use Google maps to navigate, Google has advised that its camera detection feature turns off when you connect to data or WiFi in France.

If in doubt, follow our guidelines for driving with a mobile by switching it off and popping it in the glove box.



Appreciate Funsters advice and comments on the above scary information - what have you done yourselves?
 
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That’s interesting about Google maps turning it off automatically so presumably Google maps through Apple CarPlay on the big screen in the van will be OK which we are using increasingly with the Garmin just as backup.

Easy to turn them off on the Garmin.
 
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This is the generic approach to most aspects of life in France. They have draconian laws on the books and then largely ignore them unless you really get up the gendarme's nose. My Golf has the standard VAG built-in sat nav (and thoroughly useless it is too) but we use a bog standard cheap Garmin in the MoHo which routinely reports a "dangerous road segment" whenever I am approaching a speed camera! It was purchased in France so I presume it is ok?!
 
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Zentex said:

What does the French law say?​

French laws ban drivers from carrying devices that can detect speed cameras. This covers:

  • Radar and laser detectors, which pick up the signal from mobile speed cameras
  • GPS systems which show fixed speed cameras that exist on a database
Banned GPS systems can include sat navs and other navigation devices that show you where fixed speed cameras are.

'Jammers' which block the signal from a speed camera to stop you being caught are illegal, both here and abroad.


What are the penalties?​

If you're caught with one of the banned devices, you could be penalised. Penalties can include:

  • Fines of up to €1,500
  • Confiscation of the device
  • The vehicle being confiscated
Penalties can be issued if you're using the device or if you simply have it in the car, even if it's switched off. THIS SEEMS VERY SCARY TO ME !


What should I do with my camera detector?​

If your satnav can show French camera locations in France then you must at least disable camera alerts before driving in France. VERY ONOROUS HAVE FUNSTERS DONE THIS IN FEAR OF THE ABOVE FINES?

We recommend that you contact the manufacturer of the satnav for advice. It's likely that an update exists that'll actually remove camera info for France from the device.

If you have a satnav system built into your car then we recommend contacting the vehicle manufacturer in the first instance.

If you use Google maps to navigate, Google has advised that its camera detection feature turns off when you connect to data or WiFi in France.

If in doubt, follow our guidelines for driving with a mobile by switching it off and popping it in the glove box.



Appreciate Funsters advice and comments on the above scary information - what have you done yourselves?
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Same as Spain.
 
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TomTom advises you of danger areas, which just happens to have cameras in but I think the French are putting them up everywhere without informing anyone as lots don't come up on tom tom now. But generally if you see a warning sign about saying there's a speed camera it about 200m further on.
 
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Barriesimpson said:
Isn't it easier to follow the speed limits? What's the hurry, especially in a MH.
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But some are 90 some 80 i got a ticket in Spain for 75 in a 60 which is an odd number on a main road and on tricky roads you don't always see the limit sign as you're concentrating on the road and/or traffic.

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Barriesimpson said:
Isn't it easier to follow the speed limits? What's the hurry, especially in a MH.
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Sometimes in France it is not clear exactly what the speed limit is.
My Tom tom often has a different figure to the signs and sometimes a third limit is shown if we have Google maps open.
Then there are the signs with red box round which doesn't always mean 50kph so it can get very confusing!
 
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One has to be careful because the rules read, equipment that can detect, and from what I've read, even if the detection part is disabled, if you are still using the SatNav that includes the detector, you can get fined? 😢
 
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I use a Garmin SatNag and it tells me of danger zones. I have Google Maps running on the phone too, that warns me of cameras and temp speed traps!

The whole point of Speed Cameras is to enforce speed, not drive safety.. the authorities lie to us!!! 🤬

Anything that assists the user in maintaining the correct speed should be welcomed as it aids speed awareness, the whole point!

I’m not stopping using my navigation when in France because of some obtuse rules! I think they are targeting radar detection use, not SatNags, but who knows!

I will run the gauntlet and argue the toss if stopped! The biggest issue is trying to spot every speed sign in France, 20, 30, 50, 70 & 80 can all be seen in a few hundred meters… 🤬
 
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Carpmart said:
I use a Garmin SatNag and it tells me of danger zones. I have Google Maps running on the phone too, that warns me of cameras and temp speed traps!

The whole point of Speed Cameras is to enforce speed, not drive safety.. the authorities lie to us!!! 🤬

Anything that assists the user in maintaining the correct speed should be welcomed as it aids speed awareness, the whole point!

I’m not stopping using my navigation when in France because of some obtuse rules! I think they are targeting radar detection use, not SatNags, but who knows!

I will run the gauntlet and argue the toss if stopped! The biggest issue is trying to spot every speed sign in France, 20, 30, 50, 70 & 80 can all be seen in a few hundred meters… 🤬
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That’s why I like the smiley face/grumpy red face as I reckon they are a genuine attempt to help you keep to the limit. If you’re in an area you’re not familiar with and you’re looking out for different direction signs plus the frequent speed changes I think they’re handy. The Garmin/phone is often out of date on speeds.

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The sneakist speed cameras in France are the ones coming out of a 50km/h village. Luckily I knew about these and stick to the limits but unaware non locals would see the sign and acceletrate before the zone ends and be snapped by a large black camera. Impossible to see in advance at night.
 
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carolyn said:
That’s why I like the smiley face/grumpy red face as I reckon they are a genuine attempt to help you keep to the limit. If you’re in an area you’re not familiar with and you’re looking out for different direction signs plus the frequent speed changes I think they’re handy. The Garmin/phone is often out of date on speeds.
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All the Gendarme Nationalle have grumpy faces whenever I see them, never seen a smiley one! 🤪
 
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Just stick to the limits and no problems my satnavs don’t show speed cameras my phone Dosnt show cameras in France and most sat nave manufacturers have disabled speed camera features
So it automatically stops showing speed cameras in France and whare ever it not legal
so don’t panic everyone
Tom Tom maps on iPhone carmine and every other device.
Won’t get you a 1500 euros fine
Or you camper confiscated
Done 8k last trip with no problems been driving in Europe and never been harassed by plod stoped two times in 30 years
And thay we’re just road side check Ono brethiliser
And border checkpoint France Spain border
WB
 
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L' Hobo said:
One has to be careful because the rules read, equipment that can detect, and from what I've read, even if the detection part is disabled, if you are still using the SatNav that includes the detector, you can get fined? 😢
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But they just tell you the limit, there is no identification of the speed cameras in the GPS.
 
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Barriesimpson said:
Isn't it easier to follow the speed limits? What's the hurry, especially in a MH.
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I'm in Spain ATM and finding it difficult to observe the limits, the limit changes often but then there's no end of limit sign so I'm crawling along and the Spanish are overtaking looking strangely at me
 
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Steve and Denise said:
I suppose you living in Spain would have much more experience than us holiday makers 👍
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Just an example for you:
On the road into the town where our business is, the speed limit drops to 50kph from the exit of the motorway to the town- fair enough. On the same road, but going out of the town, the speed limit is 80kph as soon as you are out of the town up to the motorway. It's the exact same stretch of road. And of course, on the ingoing stretch, there is often a speed camera. Money pit? Who said that?

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I have to admit having driven in France, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Germany, apart from the first trip when the French red border confused me initially (I did not get stopped), I have never found a problem identifying what speed I should be doing. Certainly its clearer that it often is here, but that may be 'familiarity breeds contempt' when driving at home and me being more alert when when on teh wrong side of the road. ;)
 
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meanders said:
I have to admit having driven in France, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Germany, apart from the first trip when the French red border confused me initially (I did not get stopped), I have never found a problem identifying what speed I should be doing. Certainly its clearer that it often is here, but that may be 'familiarity breeds contempt' when driving at home and me being more alert when when on teh wrong side of the road. ;)
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When were you last in France? It’s changed a lot with the 90 to 80 then back to 90 (but not everywhere) debacle! They seem to have installed loads more speed limit signs! Great right! 🤪

Every Marie has installed 20 or 30 zones, speed ‘jumps’ and or chicane’s and 70 zones seem to appear randomly and almost weekly! I’ve even last autumn seen 40 zones which seem a new concept!

It’s bloody confusing in France!
 
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Steve and Denise said:
Yes but at least Spain has sensible speed restrictions unlike France,
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Apart from Benidorm where someone expects people to travel along an empty road at 20kph.. Nobody does.
Screenshot_20250322_160943_Maps.webp


I find if I stand up on the bikes foot pegs it flies over the speed humps like they aren't there, very satisfying 😈
 
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The day will come when you won't need a Speedo as inbuilt satnag will know the speed limit on any given road and will automatically restrict maximum speeds as posted.
Speeding downhill will be restricted by automatically applying brakes or some form of electric retarder....that would be easy on an EV.
The only exception would be on German autobahns which don't have a speed limit.
Beware ....Big brother is waiting in the wings
 
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