FRANCE 80KPH

[AndyV]

Since France introduced the 80KPH speed limit on single carriageways I have never felt more intimidated by our friends driving HGVs. 80Kph is well within their top end restricted speed of 90ish kph which most of them still want to do. I have had them sitting inches of my rear bumper chumping at the bits trying to get past, when they do find a gap they go for it. You really have to watch out for the sudden pull in if they find the overtaking space is not enough for them. On several occasions have had to brake to let them get past once they have committed to the overtake. At 90 we all used to plod along merrily even though the Poids lourds are not allowed to do that speed on a single carriageway. Now I can envisage a lot more head on collisions. It's a bad decision by the French government & will not save lives .

 

[Reallyretired]

Absolutely agree. I think it is a dangerous decision and will almost certainly increase accidents. The only way it would be safer would be if HGVs were restricted to max 80kph.
I can see why government might like it, the amount raised in fines has already increased and it will increase people using the toll roads too.

 

[Madcaravanner]

WE hit a stretch of the N10 last year which is restricted (100miles of dual carriage way) 80kph for 3.5T and over 110 for cars and smaller trucks

The motorhome is 4.25t so stuck at 80 with the wife in her car convoying
there are 4 times as many speed cameras now set for Cars and HGV but that didn't stop them tailgating her and the Spanish and Portugese getting frustrated and going for it whilst the French HGV stuck to the limit (Very strange seeing that)

The new limits are supposed to SAVE fuel but we found that I actually used MORE at the lower speed than at 90kph and of course it took so much longer to go on that way

 

[boxerdog]

always found drop your speed by five kph and let them pass never had any problems flash them in when their trailers clear always works for me never had any problems

 

[SpeedyDux]

This new 80kph blanket speed limit is supposedly going to be reviewed by the French government after 2 years.

Has any government ever admitted they got it wrong and put speed limits back up?

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[Clarky]

I said as soon as the new 80kph limit was announced that the HGV drivers wouldn’t stick to it. They have always had an 80 limit and the majority have always cruised at 86-88kph.
While that was breaking the law it did mean that most traffic trundled along nicely with everyone at the same speed.
In the past, being over 3500kg, I have tended to keep up with the trucks in the hope that they would know where speed cameras and police checks would be.
It seemed safer to keep to the same speed rather than cause an obstruction and more danger by vehicles overtaking.
Actions that might be illegal but are pragmatic.

Richard.

 

[Terry and Jan]

My motorhome comes in under 3500kg does the new speed limits affect me?

 

[Manic]

My motorhome comes in under 3500kg does the new speed limits affect me?

Yes, all vehicles restricted to 80kph, but weirdly when you have two lanes in your direction and one lane on the other side, your speed limit is 90kph and the other lane is 80kph. Then when the lanes change to you single and the other side double your back down to 80kph.

 

[TerryL]

Yes, all vehicles restricted to 80kph, but weirdly when you have two lanes in your direction and one lane on the other side, your speed limit is 90kph and the other lane is 80kph. Then when the lanes change to you single and the other side double your back down to 80kph.

Are you sure about that? I read it that only roads with a physical lane separator were not subject to the blanket limit (but still limited to any other posted limits). I wouldn't think a white line would be taken as a physical separator.

 

[Shrimp]

The speed vehicles are allowed to travel at in France are not the problem, they probably don’t help tho.
The real problem is the standard of driving of most French drivers & the fact they spend most of the time on their phones & they go to a café or similar for lunch/dinner and consume a bottle of Wine or Cider!
Their driving lessons & tests need tightening!

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[Manic]

Are you sure about that? I read it that only roads with a physical lane separator were not subject to the blanket limit (but still limited to any other posted limits). I wouldn't think a white line would be taken as a physical separator.

If you look when entering one of these three lane roads you will see 90 sign on two lane side and 80 on one lane side.
It does seem a weird system but then it’s France !!

 

[Pete5996]

Are you sure about that? I read it that only roads with a physical lane separator were not subject to the blanket limit (but still limited to any other posted limits). I wouldn't think a white line would be taken as a physical separator.

Yes, @Manic is correct. You now see 90 signs at the start of such a section and 80 as it reduces to the normal one lane in each direction.

 

[AndyV]

Agree with all of the above. You will have the chance to stretch your legs if you are sub 3500kgs on some dual carriageways with a limit of 110KMH or you could let all the lorries overtake you safely. However you do have to reach your destination eventually

 

[jongood]

always found drop your speed by five kph and let them pass never had any problems flash them in when their trailers clear always works for me never had any problems

This will work in lots of places but I wouldnt try it on the N10 between Tours and Bordeaux, its so busy with HGV's avoiding the tolls you would be in real danger of losing mirrors. far better to keep up IMHO.

 

[jongood]

This new 80kph blanket speed limit is supposedly going to be reviewed by the French government after 2 years.

Has any government ever admitted they got it wrong and put speed limits back up?

Actually Yes; UK government put the limit for HGVs up to 50mph on single carriageway and 60mph on dual carriageways in 2015( they re are still limited to 56 though)

Jon

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[Riverbankannie]

WE hit a stretch of the N10 last year which is restricted (100miles of dual carriage way) 80kph for 3.5T and over 110 for cars and smaller trucks

The motorhome is 4.25t so stuck at 80 with the wife in her car convoying
there are 4 times as many speed cameras now set for Cars and HGV but that didn't stop them tailgating her and the Spanish and Portugese getting frustrated and going for it whilst the French HGV stuck to the limit (Very strange seeing that)

The new limits are supposed to SAVE fuel but we found that I actually used MORE at the lower speed than at 90kph and of course it took so much longer to go on that way

I do hope that your wife was leaving enough room between you for vehicles of any kind to overtake her car.

 

[Tea Bag]

be safer would be if HGVs were restricted to max 80kph.

Hi.
"It is ONLY the difference in speeds,that stop the country being Grid locked "
....... when you want to overtake,how long will the queue of lorries be then on a duel c/way,some private cars will only travel at 80km.
If a lorry has come up behind you,it is going faster...(The police/speed camscatch some,the Tacho catches others),when/if it goes to overtake,there is a moment of "Dead air",so even without putting anymore pressure on the accelarator your vehicle has not got the head wind to overcome and speeds up....Check it out.
Speed limits for? How many on this Forum can say hand on heart they have never sped ?
There is an answer to this problem. Segregate the traffic. Pull up ALL railway lines and turn them into "B" roads for cars and m/h over 3.5t plus c/vans only. Upgrade all existing "A" roads to M-way standards make them HGV routes only (Plus 3.5 mo/ho's) and let them truckers ROLL!
Tea Bag... "Comin' through"
PS> Dash Cams ? Who will NOT be recording when in an Own fault accident

 

[Madcaravanner]

I do hope that your wife was leaving enough room between you for vehicles of any kind to overtake her car.

LOL
There was also no overtaking 3.5T and over too so only cars and small vans could go in outside lane

Though that didn't stop some HGV drivers though most got speed cameras going off every time we saw them overtake

 

[AndyV]

I would like the moon or some other planet to be made habitable so we can export humans just so we can overcome congestion, probably not in my life time.
Intimidation much more so since the 80kph was brought in, my experience so far. See how you feel next time you are out & about in France

 

[nicholsong]

I would like the moon or some other planet to be made habitable so we can export humans just so we can overcome congestion, probably not in my life time.
Intimidation much more so since the 80kph was brought in, my experience so far. See how you feel next time you are out & about in France

Recently spent 3 weeks in Normandy. Did not encounter intimidation from any drivers. Admittedly there are not a lot of lorries.

Most drivers seemed to be adhering to the new rules, but then most of the roads were ones where sensible drivers would not exceed 80kph even if allowed.

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[WillH]

We have recently returned from France and observed no problems with the new speed limits. In well over 30 years of driving in France I am of the opinion their standard of driving is better than I experience in the UK.

 

[The Nomad]

Are you sure about that? I read it that only roads with a physical lane separator were not subject to the blanket limit (but still limited to any other posted limits). I wouldn't think a white line would be taken as a physical separator.

I think you missed the bit about it being 80kms per hour if it's a SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY without physical barrier to oncoming traffic.

There is no change to the previous 90kms per hour limit if it is dual carriageway in your direction of travel.

 

[Allanm]

always found drop your speed by five kph and let them pass never had any problems flash them in when their trailers clear always works for me never had any problems

I do the same. I did the same before the limit was changed. If a vehicle obviously wants to get past, then I find an opportunity to let them if I can, otherwise they stay behind me. I never feel intimidated.
I can’t understand why people are using more fuel at 80 and say they can’t use 5th or 6th gear. Our 6 speed 4 tonne Autosleeper was perfectly happy at 70-80kph in 6th, and so is our 6 speed car and I am certainly using less fuel in the car.
And the French can have a serious head on collision at any speed.......

 

[Tea Bag]

And the French can have a serious head on collision at any speed......

Hi.
As long as nobody is seriously hurt and this does not impede my progress. I am Led/lead to believe,that our continental juggernaut jockey cousins have an unwritten code that when another "c..ousin" has started his o/taking maneuver,they back off the LOUD pedal and let them "Execute" their passage forward and let them clear. I have found that to assist them in their act of selfless courtesy by pressing HARDER on the loud pedal makes it an easier job.
You can tell when you are approaching Mega Warp speed... "Valve bounce/top revs" look in the mirror,the trailer starts to bounce 6ft side to side and vertically.(Not when loaded,unless its a Tipper)
Driving anything..Its a "Game" Sit back and enjoy the fact you have Freedom,so,someone Pi$$es on your parade,somewhere that same day you have done just that to someone else. Lighten up,when you get to 70yrs of age THATS when you should worry.
Tea Bag (Well past his sell by date)
PS. I was joshing a young driver mate years ago. "I have skidded more miles than you have driven and spent more time in a skip than you have in the cab!!" My mate added..... "Believe him" Keep the shiny side up and the Dirty side down..We are Gonnnnnneeeeee
PPS. Don't you just love that word.."Execute"

 

[TerryL]

I think you missed the bit about it being 80kms per hour if it's a SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY without physical barrier to oncoming traffic.

There is no change to the previous 90kms per hour limit if it is dual carriageway in your direction of travel.

Okay, see what you mean. But I've always considered "dual carriageway" to mean two separated roads in opposite directions. "Single Carriageway" to me means no physical separator. Will be in France in a few weeks so no doubt I'll see it for myself.

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[klaatu]

Okay, see what you mean. But I've always considered "dual carriageway" to mean two separated roads in opposite directions. "Single Carriageway" to me means no physical separator. Will be in France in a few weeks so no doubt I'll see it for myself.

You're absolutely right, and there's no wonder there is confusion about this. The usual definition of a dual carriageway is that there is a physical divider between opposing traffic. The French have decided (and this is apparently down to individual departments) that where there is an overtaking lane on one side, the limit for traffic in that direction can still be 90 kph, even though it is now 80 kph for the traffic coming in the other direction, separated by no more than a white line.

 

[TerryL]

Sounds more like to me that the French can't even interpret their own laws. In many years of driving I've seen some strange things but this is up there with the best of them!

Don't you just love the French?

 

[klaatu]

The Creuse department have rejected the change and refused to change any signs. They say that central government can change the signs if they wish.

 

[Dilbert]

I'm sure the French truck drivers Union used to pay the speeding fines of members years ago I don't know if that's still the case maybe there's a French driver on here that knows .

 

[The Nomad]

Okay, see what you mean. But I've always considered "dual carriageway" to mean two separated roads in opposite directions. "Single Carriageway" to me means no physical separator. Will be in France in a few weeks so no doubt I'll see it for myself.

Dual carriageway means two lanes in a given direction.
It absolutely does not mean that there must be two lanes of carriageway in BOTH directions.

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