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

[Zentex]

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?

 

[Carpmart]

I think the dafter practice is what they now do at roundabouts. If they're going straight on they indicate left

I have to say, I’ve copied the HGV’s in France and do this if going straight or left… I feel it does stop some suicidal entries in front of me from the right.

 

[Carpmart]

Another funny thing they do is when going around a roundabout say 3rd or 4th exit they stay in the inside lane and go right around, I don’t think they understand road positioning.

I don’t find this in France, but in Spain, this is what they are supposed to actually do… apparently!

 

[steve69]

Its supposed to be a throwback to horseback, where if you passed keeping left then your swordarm was prepared to deflect an attack.

Britain had a period of driving on the right before switching to left, and I noticed every one of the Bugattis in the Schlumpf collection is RHD

As a general rule, most island nations (including Japan) drive on the left. Most bordered countries drive on the right (except Thailand for some reason).

 

[Ditcha]

I use this site for the latest speed camera's in France for my MBUX built-in satnav others available worked great this winter.

Radars automatiques en France Belgique Suisse et en Europe pour GPS

Téléchargez gratuitement radars et zones de danger pour GPS en France et Europe. Compatible TomTom, Garmin, Nissan, pour des trajets sécurisés.

lufop.net

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[Brummie64]

As a general rule, most island nations (including Japan) drive on the left. Most bordered countries drive on the right (except Thailand for some reason).

Don’t forget India and Pakistan, massive bordered countries drive on the left also.

 

[carolyn]

Some say it was because Napoleon was left handed, although that might not be true, but if he was it might lend a bit of credence to the sword hand theory? Paintings show him holding swords in right and left hand though. No-one really knows but it is weird.
Pakistan and India make sense as they are Commonwealth countries. It would be a palaver to change now on our busy roads, yes I know Sweden did it but just think how quiet their roads were then.

 

[lateralsteve]

On the autoroute if you go over 150mph the camera takes a photo of an empty road - any takers? Has anyone on here ever had notification in UK of French penalty? I haven't heard of any.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Roughly 30% of countries worldwide, drive on the left.

 

[meanders]

On the autoroute if you go over 150mph the camera takes a photo of an empty road - any takers?

That a fallacy. You need to know the radar range and camera range to be able to outrun the camera. Most have a radar of over half a kilometer and a long focal range on the camera of up to 3km but sensibly 0.5km. The trigger mechanism is in sub seconds but for this purpose lets assume it is as long as 1 second. At 150mph you would be travelling at 67 metres per second. To cover that half km you would be to travelling at about 8 times speed so breaking the sound barrier. The most hope you have with a trailing camera is someone is very close so blocks the image and gets done instead. For a facing camera there is no chance.

Has anyone on here ever had notification in UK of French penalty? I haven't heard of any.

There have been several mentioned on here.

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[alex n]

When I learnt to drive I was told by the instructor to indicate right approaching a roundabout unless taking the first exit, changing only when passing the exit prior to the one you want. Mind you that was nearly 60 years ago.

But you dont indicate on horse back you just stick your arm out

 

[nicholsong]

Some say it was because Napoleon was left handed, although that might not be true, but if he was it might lend a bit of credence to the sword hand theory? Paintings show him holding swords in right and left hand though. No-one really knows but it is weird.
Pakistan and India make sense as they are Commonwealth countries. It would be a palaver to change now on our busy roads, yes I know Sweden did it but just think how quiet their roads were then.

ROI is changing next year - the cars on 1st March and the trucks on 1st April.

 

[alex n]

The story goes, that it was Napoleon that, to confuse the British, started marching on the opposite side of the road because, in the days when communication was slow and difficult, the enemy could see in which direction the other troops were headed by which side of the road was being used.

All we had to do was send the drone up

 

[L' Hobo]

All we had to do was send the drone up

A drone, in those days, was just an irritating constant noise.
What good would that do?

 

[Mleabon]

So you don't think that there had to be rules about when your meeting other troops coming in the opposite direction and space to allow the cavalry to pass? Interesting!

Why do we drive on the left in the UK?

There is an historical reason for this; it's all to do with keeping your sword hand free! In the Middle Ages you never knew who you were going to meet when travelling on horseback. Most people are right-handed, so if a stranger passed by on the right of you, your right hand would be free to use your sword if required.

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[Steve and Denise]

Why do we drive on the left in the UK?

There is an historical reason for this; it's all to do with keeping your sword hand free! In the Middle Ages you never knew who you were going to meet when travelling on horseback. Most people are right-handed, so if a stranger passed by on the right of you, your right hand would be free to use your sword if required.

Very similar to today’s life
Where is my sword

 

[SMB]

Same as Spain.

Only detectors and jammers are illegal I believe, if the location of speed cameras are pre-loaded on a satnav database my understanding is that it's legal. The Spanish authorities (DGT) also have a website that shows the location of radar speed cameras as well as other traffic information, see Here

 

[The Wino]

Why do we drive on the left in the UK?

There is an historical reason for this; it's all to do with keeping your sword hand free! In the Middle Ages you never knew who you were going to meet when travelling on horseback. Most people are right-handed, so if a stranger passed by on the right of you, your right hand would be free to use your sword if required.

I saw that as a suggested reason. Does that mean in countries that drive on the right people were more trustworthy and you didn't need your sword hand free?

 

[Barriesimpson]

Only detectors and jammers I believe, if they're pre-loaded on a satnav database my understanding is that it's legal. The Spanish authorities (DGT) also have a website that shows the location of radar speed cameras as well as other traffic information, see Here

Correct.

 

[jongood]

Some say it was because Napoleon was left handed, although that might not be true, but if he was it might lend a bit of credence to the sword hand theory? Paintings show him holding swords in right and left hand though. No-one really knows but it is weird.
Pakistan and India make sense as they are Commonwealth countries. It would be a palaver to change now on our busy roads, yes I know Sweden did it but just think how quiet their roads were then.

Their roads probably still are quiet, most Swedes seem to be in Spain

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[Mleabon]

The flashing amber on the long sets is set to not strart until enough time has passed for on-coming traffic to be seen. As soon as that has exited the roadworks you can proceed. I guess its possible someone is going through with a traction engine or similar but suspect that is extremely unlikely. They also set both ends to flashing amber when working extremely close to the open lane. So if you approach a flashing amber and you can see the way is clear you can proceed with caution. We also found some villages with a constant flashing amber where there were traffic calming or narrowing. Same rules apply.

Yep I understand all that but if you don't know about the flashing amber and no-one else is about to copy/follow then it's not obvious what to do if you come across it for the first time. Whereas red and green is obvious and everyone knows what to do. Road signs should be simple and straightforward for safety reasons like in the UK mostly. The list of things the French have over complicated is long. Angle morts, breathalysers, different speed limits for when it rains, 50, 40 ,30 signs on slip roads. Long distances on dual carriageways where I have to do 80km/h because I weigh more than 3500kg. Different rules on roundabouts. There's probably more.

 

[meanders]

And they get totally confused at the magic roundabouts in Hemel Hempstead and Swindon to name just two; knowing the speed limit by the size and frequency of lampposts where the limit sign is replaced by the national limit sign, but that in itself varies by type of road? I am sure there are others that are second nature to us but confusing to them. Having driven in and around Atlanta a lot, but also in LA and other states, I then went to Florida where some of the rules of the road were different again and that is in the same country. Working out the rules around school buses across states is a nightmare and if you get it wrong and stop for a flashing school bus on the opposite carriageway where its not a requirement, and you find yourself leading a traffic jam of annoyed motorists. At least when we were part of Europe there was a lot of unity in road signs, but we still have a few that differ. It is the drivers responsibility to be aware of local rules.

 

[Mleabon]

And they get totally confused at the magic roundabouts in Hemel Hempstead and Swindon to name just two; knowing the speed limit by the size and frequency of lampposts where the limit sign is replaced by the national limit sign, but that in itself varies by type of road? I am sure there are others that are second nature to us but confusing to them. Having driven in and around Atlanta a lot, but also in LA and other states, I then went to Florida where some of the rules of the road were different again and that is in the same country. Working out the rules around school buses across states is a nightmare and if you get it wrong and stop for a flashing school bus on the opposite carriageway where its not a requirement, and you find yourself leading a traffic jam of annoyed motorists. At least when we were part of Europe there was a lot of unity in road signs, but we still have a few that differ. It is the drivers responsibility to be aware of local rules.

I agree but that's another reason to keep it simple.

 

[L' Hobo]

Yep I understand all that but if you don't know about the flashing amber and no-one else is about to copy/follow then it's not obvious what to do if you come across it for the first time. Whereas red and green is obvious and everyone knows what to do. Road signs should be simple and straightforward for safety reasons like in the UK mostly. The list of things the French have over complicated is long. Angle morts, breathalysers, different speed limits for when it rains, 50, 40 ,30 signs on slip roads. Long distances on dual carriageways where I have to do 80km/h because I weigh more than 3500kg. Different rules on roundabouts. There's probably more.

I have the attitude, that if I'M visiting another country, I have a duty as a driver to learn a bit about that countries rules and regulations and then I can try and comply with them.
I also try to learn a few helpful phrases.

It's always worked for me but then, not everyone's the same.

PS: Let us all remember, that it some countries, giving the thumbs up to another driver in, at least one country, it's the same as giving a two finger salute in the UK.

 

[gus-lopez]

Another funny thing they do is when going around a roundabout say 3rd or 4th exit they stay in the inside lane and go right around, I don’t think they understand road positioning.

& they do not indicate either until the exit they want & that is how the driving schools teach them & why I have to be restrained on an hourly basis when amongst the idiots.

The Spanish authorities (DGT) also have a website that shows the location of radar speed cameras as well as other traffic information, see Here

& it also used to show the speed they were set at before the camera would take a picture

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[DandJ]

Yep I understand all that but if you don't know about the flashing amber and no-one else is about to copy/follow then it's not obvious what to do if you come across it for the first time. Whereas red and green is obvious and everyone knows what to do. Road signs should be simple and straightforward for safety reasons like in the UK mostly. The list of things the French have over complicated is long. Angle morts, breathalysers, different speed limits for when it rains, 50, 40 ,30 signs on slip roads. Long distances on dual carriageways where I have to do 80km/h because I weigh more than 3500kg. Different rules on roundabouts. There's probably more.

Nah...that's a sensible thing to adopt....like they do in many European countries.

 

[sedge]

Flashing amber traffic lights - every set of TLs in France and pain, practically, used to do that automatically after about 10pm at night.

 

[Mleabon]

I have the attitude, that if I'M visiting another country, I have a duty as a driver to learn a bit about that countries rules and regulations and then I can try and comply with them.
I also try to learn a few helpful phrases.

It's always worked for me but then, not everyone's the same.

PS: Let us all remember, that it some countries, giving the thumbs up to another driver in, at least one country, it's the same as giving a two finger salute in the UK.

I agree.

I have the attitude, that if I'M visiting another country, I have a duty as a driver to learn a bit about that countries rules and regulations and then I can try and comply with them.
I also try to learn a few helpful phrases.

It's always worked for me but then, not everyone's the same.

PS: Let us all remember, that it some countries, giving the thumbs up to another driver in, at least one country, it's the same as giving a two finger salute in the UK.

I agree.

 

[Mleabon]

Nah...that's a sensible thing to adopt....like they do in many European countries.

Which bit?

 

[DandJ]

Which bit?

The bit on your post that I highlighted...lower speed limit in inclement weather

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[Graham Page]

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

My Volvo XC90 already has that capability - If I choose to turn it on!