Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc - Page 7 - France and Channel Hopping Discussion, Holiday Forums

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Lensman 2002

2012-01-16 11:17:23

Hi De Hi wrote:
Thanks alsacienne.
I can't recall ever seeing a foreign car in the UK with beam deflectors, do we even require them to be fitted?

Yes even in Daylight when you are not even planning on driving in low light situations

the reason is simple
OUR headlights in dipped beam point to the side of the road on the left which then dazzles on coming drivers when driving on the other side of the road

THEIR headlights dip straight in front technically ALL foreign drivers are supposed to fit beam benders to make them go left but most don't and as they don't dazzle it's not instantly noticeable

I had forgot about the breathalyser law
Alsacienne a question - - does this unit HAVE to be of the Chemical type or can we use the Electronic version that is available over here??

Lensman 2002

2012-01-16 11:25:18

Re: Important addition to car contents

As an addendum to Alascienne's list

IF YOU TOW either a trailer, a caravan, or a car behind a motor home on it's trailer (remember Spain now does not allow A frames for towing cars behind motorhomes)

you need to add an extra set of light bulbs and Fuses for the trailer/caravan

And extra Warning Triangle as you are supposed to put an extra one 30m further behind as a warning

Also remember it is also a requirement to have a Caravan Jack not expect the car one to cope because it WILL NOT

WE tried one rated for 2 tonne on our single axle as because of a flat we couldn't get the caravan one under the chassis the car jack lifted the van just far enough to get the proper jack under before it crumpled

Hi De Hi

2012-01-29 13:15:26

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Had a look in Halfords yesterday and the only thing they had was a 'morning after' tester kit (they only had the one and judging by the state of its packaging it had been in stock for a long long time). It was a dreager type device so would be unsuitable for France as it would be pre set to 80mg (the UK limit) and not 50mg (the French limit).

Looks like some online shopping will be in order.

Alsacienne

2012-01-29 13:46:47

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

If I can find something suitable over here, would anyone like me to send it to them? PM me if so and I'll go shopping ....

Hi De Hi

2012-01-29 14:01:35

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Halfords online have an electronic device that gives a digital readout in mg per 100ml for £25. They say they have them in store at the location I was in yesterday but the staff there couldn't find me one! They are available over here. I have even found a site that does the Dreager type ones and you can buy the tubes of crystals calibrated for the UK and other countries including the US and France!

Hi De Hi

2012-01-29 14:03:18

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

On another note regarding the speed cameras.

Is it only illegal to have an electronic device that warns about them. My Michelin France map book (2010) also has them marked. Would this also be illegal?

Lensman 2002

2012-01-29 16:11:23

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Hi De Hi wrote:
On another note regarding the speed cameras.

Is it only illegal to have an electronic device that warns about them. My Michelin France map book (2010) also has them marked. Would this also be illegal? :(

From How I read it Yes but I stand to be corrected - - - Alsacienne Can you confirm ????

Alsacienne

2012-01-29 17:48:25

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

I'll find out and report back during the week!

Alsacienne

2012-02-02 22:08:20

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Talking to a friend who's a retired gendarme. It is illegal for you to have them showing on your GPS ... but it is apparently also illegal for the police to make you put on your GPS to prove you have/haven't got them showing .... NOT an argument I'd like to have!!

Mind you, it's still law to warn about fixed radars but having signs up ... and watching the traffic suddenly slow down and then speed up again when the danger (radar!) is passed!

Lensman 2002

2012-02-03 10:04:05

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Alsacienne wrote:
Mind you, it's still law to warn about fixed radars but having signs up ... and watching the traffic suddenly slow down and then speed up again when the danger (radar!) is passed!

LOL

We get that here even through SPECS type - -watched one idiot race between three and slow down for each then suddenly after the third realise they were SPECS - avaerage speed cameras - so he WILL get a ticket in the post (these are on the M1 Jn 33 we were going to Meadowhell)

Thanks for the info Alsacienne now need to find a French scale Breathalyser in the Middle of England

Hi De Hi

2012-02-03 19:15:57

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Grey,

Halfords online have them and they say they are also in their stores. Cheapest one they have is £25!

Hi De Hi

2012-02-03 19:32:40

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Having cruise control is useful when they have those average speed cameras.

Lensman 2002

2012-02-04 08:28:47

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Just been checking the Halfords website

and as far as I can see the Breathalyser may not be legal in France as they only give a reading in mg/l not actually a limit because from what I can see if needs to be the Draeger type of crystals in tubes which turn Red or Green depending on alcohol level not the Electronic type

THEN when you check out what Halfords have as requirements abroad they do not have the breathalyser as required or even advisory in France (So I asked them why )

Judith

2012-02-04 10:21:15

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Lensman 2002 wrote:
Just been checking the Halfords website

and as far as I can see the Breathalyser may not be legal in France as they only give a reading in mg/l not actually a limit because from what I can see if needs to be the Draeger type of crystals in tubes which turn Red or Green depending on alcohol level not the Electronic type

THEN when you check out what Halfords have as requirements abroad they do not have the breathalyser as required or even advisory in France (So I asked them why )

Th AA do not have a breathalyser listed as a requirement for driving in France. Maybe because it is not yet law.

John M

2012-02-04 11:09:36

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Neither do the RAC or the FCO web sites. Also neither of them state the requirement for motorcyclists to wear a hi viz top yet that IS now law in France. Seems to me all these different bodies giving advice need to get their acts together before someone falls foul of the law and then sues them for giving wrong information and advice.

John

Lensman 2002

2012-02-04 13:33:25

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

John M wrote:
Neither do the RAC or the FCO web sites. Also neither of them state the requirement for motorcyclists to wear a hi viz top yet that IS now law in France. Seems to me all these different bodies giving advice need to get their acts together before someone falls foul of the law and then sues them for giving wrong information and advice.John

Judith wrote:
Th AA do not have a breathalyser listed as a requirement for driving in France. Maybe because it is not yet law.

Right

First been doing the checking up IT IS LAW - take a look back at one of Alsacienne's post she lists all the fines and for really bad drink-driving they are HUGE.

I have checked all sites that I know selling stuff and the Clubs (Caravan /Caravan& Camping ) none of them are saying anything so emails have gone off to wake them up

Hi De Hi

2012-02-04 14:26:00

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

My understanding (mainly through Alsaciene) is that although the French state their limits in breath alcohol it translates to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (the UK limit is 80mg per 100ml). The most worrying thing about the elctronic devices is when you read the reviews which vary greatly in how people describe their accuracy and reliability. I supposethe dreager type which give a yes/no type response may be better. As I don't depart till July there may well be time to get more info and for the motoring organisations to give better advice.

Judith

2012-02-04 15:45:07

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Sorry Gray we are discussing a breathalyser, not the huge fines for driving when under the influence that Alsa listed . My Automobile Club have told me the law goes into effect in late Spring but at the moment there is no requirement to carry the device.

From what I understand the cross channel ferries are planning to stock the devices.

Lensman 2002

2012-02-04 16:22:43

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Judith wrote:
Sorry Gray we are discussing a breathalyser, not the huge fines for driving when under the influence that Alsa listed . My Automobile Club have told me the law goes into effect in late Spring but at the moment there is no requirement to carry the device.

From what I understand the cross channel ferries are planning to stock the devices.

Hi Judith

That info is good ---- the Draeger type of breathalyser are what I work out is what is expected to be carried but what will P&O charge ???

Apparently from what I can read into the info IF you have a drink you are expected to do the breath test before you drive - - if you fail it then you are not supposed to drive -- - but if you do then the fines explained earlier come into play

When I looked I couldn't find any info re Ferry companies selling them Which Auto club did you talk to ??

Judith

2012-02-04 16:50:17

Re: Driving in France ... routes, laws, Q&As, etc

Gray

My Autoclub is ADAC in Germany where I live( not too far from the French border). The ferry company mentioned was DFDS, I spotted that when googling looking for info about the new law. It said the ferry company would start selling them on 1st April, no mention of the price though.
I will be driving to the UK in April and will probably risk driving into France and stopping at the first services where I should be able to buy one for around ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬2
I expect they will be on sale here in Germany before then though most likely at a much higher price.

Judith

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