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Just to say that the French are laughing up their sleeves at us Brits at present ...... as 9 out of 10 cars being stopped for speeding this week are British. 

Some horrendous speeds have been recorded recently, with massive on the spot fines ..... €750 plus points etc - which makes our fines look paltry.  Le Mans has brought the speed cops out in force ..... and the French are driving at no more than the max and watching scores of Brits go sailing past into the danger areas.  Two Brits have been caught doing 234 and 254 km/ph respectively and have been heavily fined and had their licences withdrawn.

Although there are now big road signs in France showing static cameras, those on bridges or at the roadside are not marked.  The big danger is that Brits who are now so restricted on UK roads (40 mph speed limits everywhere) and who suddenly see almost open roads, put the right foot down to enjoy the sudden 'freedom'.

Despite some people thinking that it is a myth that you can be fined for speeding between motorway toll booths, last year a Daily Telegraph reporter stated that he had been caught in such circumstances. 

It's not worth taking a chance - so please don't speed in France!  ;-)

Oozat

Despite some people thinking that it is a myth that you can be fined for speeding between motorway toll booths, last year a Daily Telegraph reporter stated that he had been caught in such

There was the famous case of Jensen Button being caught like this a few years ago.

When we were going south on the A26 there was a police mobile unit on the north bound carriageway, a favourite spot I understand. However I would add the France has quite generous speed limits and if someone exceeds these they have to take responsibility for that speed and that in certain circumstances will result in a very heavy, on the spot fine. The ball is in the drivers court. Over the years I have noticed that the French are generally not driving as fast as they once did so it also having an affect on them as well as points on their license.

David

Despite some people thinking that it is a myth that you can be fined for speeding between motorway toll booths, last year a Daily Telegraph reporter stated that he had been caught.

It's certainly not a myth, I know someone who was caught out like that. When you go through the first toll booth your ticket is time stamped. When you get to the other end they take your ticket and the machine works out your average speed.

I`m hopeless at remembering the exact French speed limits, so if I can`t see a sign telling me what it is at the moment, I do the same as I would on the same sort of road at home minus 10mph. Takes care of most circumstances, including the speed reductions for weather and the abrupt changes in urban speed limits at schools etc. (Though generally I know I`m safe at 30mph in towns.)

French polis just LOVE stopping the Brits, btw. Make sure you have all your relevant documentation and licence with you at all time, plus the extras like spare glasses, first aid kit, fire extingusher, red warning triangle, spare light bulbs  and safety waistcoats. No, not all of these are compulsory yet but they`re all recommended and a French traffic cop on a bad day can make your life a misery, even if you don`t get a fine in the end. Keep smiling and be polite, remember to call him Monseiur and never, never shout or argue otherwise he`ll get you to empty out your entire camping gear to measure the tread on your spare tyre or something equally awkward. (This happened to friends of mine...the husband was stroppy so they were kept hanging around. They missed their ferry.)

Really, it`s best just to behave yourself and not get stopped...

It should also be remembered that they are Speed Limits, not Targets!

Beware of the Speed Limits in Towns and Villages, a RED box around a placename indicates the start of a speed limit for  that place, Speed limit ends when there is a diagonal RED line through that place.

Static speed cams are usually well "advertised too, so watch out for them.

A favourite site for the mobile cops is within an hour of the ferry, when you are racing to catch the ferry! They issue an on the spot fine, and will accompany you to the nearest ATM if you dont have CASH.

Joe

I know that normal towing with a car does not affect the spped limits, but does anyone know what the speeds are for motorhomes?

I only know the experience of one english couple who were stopped by the police on the last sliproad before Dunkirk and if their account is correct then the french police practice zero tolerance.

Carol

From a conversation I had in France with the lady next door she said that French people now are much more cautious because they now have a points sytem like us. I do wonder when that will become cross border?

David