France, Speed limits improving?

[Bucket]

Do others dip into this website?

MotorhomingFrance for the best aires in France

MotorhomingFrance is a website which is designed to be an invaluable resource for anyone who visits or plans to visit France in a motorhome. The site covers various aspects of motorhoming in France, news on aires, travel news, useful info, tourism, motorhome books

www.motorhomingfrance.co.uk

His practical information can be quite helpful from time to time.

In his latest monthly bulletin he said:-
ISERE RETURNS TO 90
The Isere department in Auvergne Rhone-Alpes has decided to return its departmental roads to a 90 km/ hr speed limit. The department decided on the move after finding that the 80 km/ hr limit has had little effect on road accidents over the last 2 years.

If you delve into the website there's an earlier article listing those Departments that have already returned some roads to 90km/hr

Which Departments have 90km/hr roads?

The Allier & the Dordogne (to be reinstated in March, 2021) have become the latest departments to return their main departmental roads from an 80 km/ hr limit back to the original 90 km/ hr limit, but these departments however will probably be some of the last departments to reinstate the old...

www.motorhomingfrance.co.uk

However he does give reasons why many roads will remain at 80

 

[Richard n Ann]

I wondered if the lower speed limit increased frustration, Impatience and overtaking

 

[Bucket]

I don't mind 80, and try hard to keep to limits, but it's frustrating when they change so frequently and the signage isn't always helpful.

 

[Lucky]

In practice you won't know whether you're in a Department that operates the 80 or 90 kph limit, so unless you see a 90 kph sign I recommend assuming it's 80 everywhere.

 

[Lenny HB]

Doesn't make any odds when you are over 3.5t as it's 80 whatever.

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[HugoBNB]

Doesn't make any odds when you are over 3.5t as it's 80 whatever.

None if our French friends take a blind bit of notice of the 80kph limits where we are (86)

 

[two]

If they go up from 80kph to 90kph and deaths don't increase, do you think they might raise it even more?

 

[Richard n Ann]

I don't mind 80, and try hard to keep to limits, but it's frustrating when they change so frequently and the signage isn't always helpful.

Absolutely, I got flashed in one of those 70kph limits that suddenly appear when approaching a side road, looked down at the GPS speedo 76 I don't intentionally speed but it was dark and didn't see any signs... Maybe I shouldn't be driving

 

[Lucky]

If they go up from 80kph to 90kph and deaths don't increase, do you think they might raise it even more?

Personally I very much doubt it because one of the reasons for reducing speed limits was to cut emissions.

 

[two]

...then they should be reporting on air quality rather than deaths.

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[EuroTrotters]

I wondered if the lower speed limit increased frustration, Impatience and overtaking

that would be my thoughts

 

[gus-lopez]

Personally I very much doubt it because one of the reasons for reducing speed limits was to cut emissions.

Defeats the object then when you cannot run in top gear.

 

[Lucky]

Defeats the object then when you cannot run in top gear.

I can travel at 80 kph (50 mph) in top gear. Can't most?

 

[Bucket]

I can travel at 80 kph (50 mph) in top gear. Can't most?

Ours is borderline at 50 in top. I find I have to keep changing up or down to maintain that speed depending on the road. generally it seems happier in 5th.

 

[glenn2926]

Ours is borderline at 50 in top. I find I have to keep changing up or down to maintain that speed depending on the road. generally it seems happier in 5th.

Mine is just the same. Ok ish in sixth at 50 but the slightest change in conditions means dancing between 5th & 6th gears. There’s no way that can be good for economy or eco friendly. Going back to 90kph makes for a much better cruising speed.

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[Lenny HB]

Mines pretty good at 50 in top, changes up to 6th at about 47 & back down to 5th at 42, genuine speed not Fiat speedo.

 

[Bucket]

Mine is just the same. Ok ish in sixth at 50 but the slightest change in conditions means dancing between 5th & 6th gears. There’s no way that can be good for economy or eco friendly. Going back to 90kph makes for a much better cruising speed.

I see yours is also a Chausson,.....

 

[glenn2926]

I see yours is also a Chausson,.....

Aye it is. Allegro 97.

 

[Lucky]

Perhaps transport policy decisions are based on the more common car than relatively irrelevant motorhomes

 

[gus-lopez]

I can travel at 80 kph (50 mph) in top gear. Can't most?

No mine drops cruise out the minute it goes under 80kph in top. cruise won't opearate in 4th under 60 either.

re based on the more common car than relatively irrelevant motorhomes

or any type of van.
when I returned from France in a peugeot 208 hire car that wouldn't swallow cruise in top gear at 80kph either.


I find in france in villages small towns I'm running in third mainly

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[Bucket]

I find in france in villages small towns I'm running in third mainly

When I was a rep we were always advised to drop down to 3rd when in a 30 MPH zone, it helps keep you from inadvertedly creeping up

 

[gus-lopez]

When I was a rep we were always advised to drop down to 3rd when in a 30 MPH zone, it helps keep you from inadvertedly creeping up

Yes but in French villages they are usually 30 kph limits = 18 mph. + loads of hidden speed humps