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Speeding in France

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
skitow wrote:
@denfinella, In just under 40 years of driving, 30k miles a year average, UK and europe, I do not know how many speeding fines I have had, but certainly into double figures. ...

I'm reminded of the bloke down the pub complaining about his speeding tickets and his bad luck.
No one spells it out, but everyone thinks: "yeah, we can see why you get those".

In an instant my car will do speeds which would result in me riding only my bicycle. And yet I've never had a speeding ticket.

"I only know in my world I hate the light I speed at night"

Well not quite, but you really can tell who's going to get speeding (and parking) tickets and who is not.
And it's not about adhering to the letter of the law, it's about understanding what's reasonable and what's not.
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philwig wrote:
skitow wrote:
@denfinella, In just under 40 years of driving, 30k miles a year average, UK and europe, I do not know how many speeding fines I have had, but certainly into double figures. ...

I'm reminded of the bloke down the pub complaining about his speeding tickets and his bad luck.
No one spells it out, but everyone thinks: "yeah, we can see why you get those".

In an instant my car will do speeds which would result in me riding only my bicycle. And yet I've never had a speeding ticket.

"I only know in my world I hate the light I speed at night"

Well not quite, but you really can tell who's going to get speeding (and parking) tickets and who is not.
And it's not about adhering to the letter of the law, it's about understanding what's reasonable and what's not.


My personal observation in to many years of driving is that drivers can be separated into two camps. Those who know they speed (even if only occasionally), and those who don’t realise they speed. Amongst my friends and family, it’s the latter group who get most of the speeding tickets.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
There are so many roads in the UK and across EU that have had their speed limits changed for various reasons, sometimes safety sometimes environmental. Duals across Greater London that were originally designed as 70mph are now down to 50 and 40, while some sections been dropped from 50 to 30 meaning that along many stretches it is almost impossible to even stick to the speed limit without breaking, which from a highways safety and design perspective is in itself undesirable.

The ring roads in Dunkirk and Calais have also gone from 130 to 110 and now to 90. Germany has imposed limits in some areas but still has many unrestricted sections on the Autobahns, etc.

So the way I see it the only real difference is between motorists who know how to drive safely and those who haven't got a clue. It never ceases to amaze me the stupidity I witness daily on the roads.
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Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 24-02-19 19:39; edited 1 time in total
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sorry, double post.
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Slightly off topic - our skiing vehicle is a motorhome. It came out of the factory at 3.5t mgw but that didn't give enough payload so we up rated it to 3.85t. The MiRo remains the same so in the UK it's classed as a car for speed limits. Elsewhere, it's the gross weight that counts so...
In Austria, our max speed on motorways is 50mph/80kmph, but in Germany 100 kmph, France 110kmph and Luxembourg 130 kmph.
Which country has it right?
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@Scamper, if you're flashed in a MoHo in France, it doesn't matter what the gross weight is, you are still a MoHo, or so the Motorhome FB group are saying. You will probably get flashed, but not receive the fine.
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@Hells Bells, yes, in our experience that is true - our previous van was a transit based (so sloping roof) sub 3.5t and when we first got the new one I wasn't aware the speed limits were different and triggered 2 cameras on our way to Bourg - never received anything.
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It's our first trip to Austria in the >3.5t and we have a Go-Box so it's obvious we're subject to the 80kmph limit - we've been sticking to that with gritted teeth but it's disconcerting being overtaken by trucks!!!!
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I received this ‘parking ticket’ notice placed under my windscreen wiper last week. It says they will send the infringement notice to the address listed against my reg which is U.K. - It will be interesting to see if I ever receive it? My bad as misread to which area a No Parking sign applied.

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In 18 years of driving 70,000 miles a year I’ve had 4 tickets in the UK. One of which was 24 in a 20 going over Tower Bridge which I still refuse to accept counts as speeding. One was 57 in a 50 on the M25. Two others were mobile cameras which I accept were my fault.

On the way back from the PSB 2017 I got flashed twice in about 10 minutes around Chambery at 6am.

Never heard a thing.
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@Hells Bells, @Scamper, got flashed in Disco pulling twin axle caravan, under speed limit for road, but over for trucks. Never heard anything - radar picks us up as lorry! Assume someone looked at pic and ignored, sometimes tolls won't open for tag as assumes we're HGV
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Ozboy wrote:
I received this ‘parking ticket’ notice placed under my windscreen wiper last week. It says they will send the infringement notice to the address listed against my reg which is U.K. - It will be interesting to see if I ever receive it? My bad as misread to which area a No Parking sign applied.




With a bit of luck they won't follow that up.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Scamper wrote:
Slightly off topic - our skiing vehicle is a motorhome. It came out of the factory at 3.5t mgw but that didn't give enough payload so we up rated it to 3.85t. The MiRo remains the same so in the UK it's classed as a car for speed limits. Elsewhere, it's the gross weight that counts so...
In Austria, our max speed on motorways is 50mph/80kmph, but in Germany 100 kmph, France 110kmph and Luxembourg 130 kmph.
Which country has it right?


It's the unladen weight that appears to count in the UK :-

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@denfinella, I would be much more embarassed about “genuine” mistake than deliberately speeding - you really ought to be aware of the speed limits!


Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Mon 25-02-19 7:58; edited 1 time in total
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How wet does it have to be to reduce the speed limit to 110km/h on french motorways?
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My mate here was stopped en route to Grenoble Airport a couple of years ago. Running late and on the N road parallel to the motorway he was well over the limit, 50+kmh over I think. He was escorted to a cash point so he could pay the fine and had his UK license confiscated, banned from driving in France for 6 months.
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@skitow, yes, that's correct. The Mass in Running Order should be higher than unladen as it includes a driver and some fuel and water - ours is 2980kg so well under the 3050.


But it's still bizarre how the motorway speed limits are so different in the various countries - 80-130 kmph, no wonder people are frustrated being limited to speeds they feel aren't appropriate.
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@Claude B, If I took a guess at which mate that was would I be right in thinking that was the one involved in building ? Would love to pop over if (when) all the snow melts in ADH
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@Boris, I read somewhere that France still checks all the photos "by human" so, as you say, they bin the ones that non-trucks trigger.
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@Scamper, Even more bizarrely, as you cross the border into scotland in a truck you have to drop 10mph (on SC and DC) rolling eyes
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@skitow, Might be wink Just message me, I'll be about Very Happy
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After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
skitow wrote:
@Scamper, Even more bizarrely, as you cross the border into scotland in a truck you have to drop 10mph (on SC and DC) rolling eyes


I suppose that at least gives you chance to swerve around the potholes Very Happy
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To be fair, potholes are not a uniquely scottish problem, plenty of them around here Sad
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Slightly off topic but speed related; it always amazes me the speed some people travel with boxes (not just Brits). The instructions say do not exceed 130kph which conveniently is the speed limit in France and whilst I appreciate that they won't fly off at 131kph when people go flying by at what must be 100mph/160kph+ I have an intake of breath. I set my ACC to 85mph or 135kph (depending on how I've set my units up) on the basis that actual speed (not indicated) will be about right and is fast enough to make good progress without incurring the wrath of the Gendarmes. I've not seen many boxes on the hard shoulders so assume that there is a healthy leeway (not that I ever want to find out what it is).
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@RobH2017, I’m pretty sure my merc box is rated for the same speed as the car (155mph) tho I’m not sure what the mpg would be at that.
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Quote:


@RobH2017, I’m pretty sure my merc box is rated for the same speed as the car (155mph) tho I’m not sure what the mpg would be at that.



Okay, All the Thule and Kamai ones I've had (only a couple of each admittedly) have always said 130kph; I always assumed the branded boxes were made by one of the big roof box companies but with the vehicle badging and another 10% on price. I'd hate to think what the aerodynamics would be at 155mph let alone the fuel economy, if you could let me know next time you're on the autobahn Toofy Grin
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skitow wrote:
To be fair, potholes are not a uniquely scottish problem, plenty of them around here Sad


It was a cheap shot, couldn't believe the state of the M20 when we last drove back from the tunnel.
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You know it makes sense.
Mine have always been rated at 130kmh. (Thule & Exodus)
Were it rated below that people might suggest that it's not fit for purpose.
I think this is just so that the manufacturers can wash their hands of any responsibility above that.

It's over 30 years since I did my physics A level, so would appreciate the input of anyone who can answer the following?

Would a roof-box with a 10KG load inside be able to withstand higher or lower speed than the same roof-box with a 40KG load, or is the load irrelevant, and it just the aerodynamics which determine the operating speed? ( And the MAX load just to stop you bending your roof bars )
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:

couldn't believe the state of the M20 when we last drove back from the tunnel.

It's great isn't it - every time we come back from holiday (winter or summer) we have hundreds of miles of smooth motorway and then hit the M20, roadworks and traffic

@RobH2017, Interestingly, I've never noticed much difference with roofbox in MPG, admittedly the Disco struggles to do more than 28mpg at best of times, but it remained at that on way back at weekend
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@Boris, was surprised with last weeks trip in new 2.0 Disco 5 that we averaged 34.5 MPG with Roof box down to the Maurienne and back. Also pleased that someone else has confirmed that the cameras - or the one southbound just outside Troyes to be precise - obviously think a Disco with roof box is a truck as I had even slowed down to around 115KMH. must have flashed on the last 3 or 4 journeys but touch wood, no fines yet.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
WindOfChange wrote:
Mine have always been rated at 130kmh. (Thule & Exodus)
Were it rated below that people might suggest that it's not fit for purpose.
I think this is just so that the manufacturers can wash their hands of any responsibility above that.

It's over 30 years since I did my physics A level, so would appreciate the input of anyone who can answer the following?

Would a roof-box with a 10KG load inside be able to withstand higher or lower speed than the same roof-box with a 40KG load, or is the load irrelevant, and it just the aerodynamics which determine the operating speed? ( And the MAX load just to stop you bending your roof bars )


The heavier one should, in theory, be more resistant to blowing off but I suspect any difference is marginal compared to the aerodynamic forces created by the 130kph wind blowing into it. I have quite an old Jetbag one (actually made by thule but branded for the german market?) and it is shallower at the front and at least twice the depth at the back. I always though that was a good idea as it seemed that the wind would naturally press the top down. It's not come off yet and it is at least 10 years old although I have stiffened the inside with a couple of aluminium angles running the length of it Very Happy
Thinking about it the heavy one you referred to might put more strain on its fixings in a sudden stop or deceleration. Bit disconcerting to see your roofbox impale itself through the back window of the car in front I guess Laughing
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I'd suggest the FB is a fake. Especially with the word "Violation" in it - it's an Americanism. I've yet to have a speeding fine from an EU country when driving a UK plated car there (having been flashed plenty on the motorways). Rental car tickets generally make it to the doormat thanks to the hire companies grassing me up and charging me so to do. There's no point in paying them: it's not an arrestable offence, and you are receiving the notification as the likely driver - but the fact is not proven. I've never had any bother going back and renting more cars, and never had any come-back at a roadside stop either.
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@Stumbler, I assume you are paying the car rental admin fee but ignoring to pay the actual fine and have there been amy Swiss fines?
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Quote:

I assume you are paying the car rental admin fee but ignoring to pay the actual fine and have there been amy Swiss fines


You assume correctly. They help themselves to the fee by virtue of the credit card details being held on file. It seems that the details are requested sharpish but the ticket can then take up to 12 months to materialise. It's always in the local language.

I've only had one Swiss one - about +10kph in an 80. Demand for fine turned up several months after the limit for payment mentioned therein. Days later a letter warning about curtailment of liberties turned up!! No action taken on my part; my heart did pound a little when queuing up for immigration at GVA a few months later but there was no issue. Half a dozen or so trips later, still no issue.
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Got my first French speeding ticket today, sent through to the UK, car is an English plate. Took 13 days to arrive from when my Brother in law went through a speed camera.
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Got a speeding ticket today dated from 10th Feb, was enroute to the Eurotunnel Calais side coming down from Dunkirk, ticket says doing 109Kph in a 90!! 45 Euro fine, went to Company car lease company who have paid it and now reclaiming it back off me via my company!! bug Mad
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@doddsie, @Simon94, Sorry to hear... are these outsourced to a collection agent or is it direct from La Republique Francaise?
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@Simon94 - I'd be asking for a refund from the lease company and some damaged for defamation of character. The fine is for the driver of the vehicle - if they've paid it then they will have signed a confession that it was you driving. They cannot admit anything on your behalf!!!

The correct procedure (one of them) is to return it to say that they are not liable for the fine and grassing you up. An alternative correct procedure is just to bin it!
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@Ozboy, from the La Republique Francaise - Violation notice. Sent to the vehicle owners, which is the Lease Company. So assume if you are the vehicle owner in the UK, it would be sent to your home address.
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