Drink and Driving

There is a nation-wide radio station on 107.7 fm which gives road traffic information with regular reports in English.

Speeding
The Speed limit in towns and villages is 50 km per hour. On ordinary roads the speed limit is 90 km per hour, reducing to 80 km per hour in the wet. Dual carriageways have a limit of 110 km per hour reducing to 100 Km per hour in the wet. The Motorway speed limit is 130 km per hour, 110 km per hour in the wet. If different speed limits are in force they will be signposted.

Speed should always be reduced in poor driving conditions and dipped headlights used.

Speeding is frowned upon in France and there are frequent radar checks by hand-held devices and radar traps, which can be set up at random and are difficult to spot. Exceeding the speed limit by just a small amount results in an on-the-spot fine of Euros 137 but this can be increased if you are more than 10km above the limit.

You may be offered up to three days to pay but this is very rare. As a tourist, you are more likely to be asked to pay up immediately in cash. If you do not have the cash, your passport will be taken and you will be directed to the nearest cash point or a location where you can use your credit card to get the money.

If you are significanlty above the limit, you may have to go to court.

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Unless there is another driver in the car, you will turned round at your port of entry and put back on the boat. If you are stopped anywhere in metropolitan France, you will have to get your motoring organisation to repatriate your car or get someone from England to collect it. Ports and airports are notified if a visiting driver is banned and anyone who continues to drive can expect severe consequences, including a possible prison sentence

LEAVE YOUR SCANNER AT HOME!

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Parking
Many towns have parking meters and failure to display a valid ticket can result in the car be towed away. Check carefully at lunchtime, as many parking areas are free between the hours of 12.30pm and 2pm. The times are marked on all the ticket machines.

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Mobile Phones

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Notification
Don’t think no one at home will know if you break the driving laws in France. The French police will notify Swansea of any driving offence including speeding and drink driving (but not parking offences). If you are caught speeding by radar but not stopped, they may inform the authorities so you can be picked up at the ferry port on the way home.

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Safety Equipment
It is obligatory to wear a yellow reflective jacket if you break down in Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal. There must be two jackets in your car in case a passenger gets out to help you. Although not a legal requirement, it is recommended for safety in the rest of the EU and you must have them if you are visiting South West France and cross the boarder to Spain.

TWO Red warning triangles are obligatory in Spain and recommended in the rest of the EU. It is not stated how to use the two triangles, ie: two at the rear spaced apart or one at the front and one at the rear.

Hazard flashers must be switched on in the case of a breakdown. A complete set of spare bulbs must also be carried. If you have to replace a bulb, keep the old one just in case a Gendarme decides he would like to check your remaining spare bulbs. This will prove you have had to replace one. A fire extinguisher and first aid kit are recommended.

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Tyres
Tyres, including the spare, should be in good condition and have a minimum of 2mm tread depth.

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Accidents
Note that in France, if you give assistance to an injured person and that person suffers injury or dies, you may be held liable. It is unlikely that a French person, other than a qualified first aider of medical person, would give assistance apart from calling the emergency services.

Any accident involving injury must be reported to the police or gendarmerie. A notice of motoring accident must be completed and signed by both parties in any accident resulting in damage.

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Seat Belts
Seat belts must be worn at all times by the driver and all passengers front and back. Children under 10 years of age must not be carried in the front of a vehicle unless in an approved, correctly fitted seat facing backwards.

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Crash Helmets
Motorcyclists and pillion passengers must wear crash helmets.

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Documentation
Minimum driving age is 18 years. The driver must carry a valid full driving licence, and the vehicle registration document or hire certificate (to prove ownership). A ‘green card’ (insurance) is recommended and you must display a GB sticker. The AA or RAC can provide all the necessary documentation.

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Identification
It is an offence not to carry some form of identification at all times while in France. This must be an official document which includes your photograph such as a passport or driving licence. Failure to produce identification will result in an on-the-spot fine of 140 Euros.

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General
The French are recommending that drivers should take a break every two hours. Look out for Bison Futé signs during the summer months on the main holiday / tourist routes. These are rest areas run by tourist authorities which provide free drinks and an opportunity to take a break from driving.

Be warned that the French driver loves to follow very close to the rear of the vehicle in front, too close for comfort for many visitors. If this happens to you, make sure you are driving at the correct speed for that road and the prevailing conditions. If the car behind is still too close, pull over at the first opportunity and let it overtake.

If you are not sure of your directions, don’t slow down to a dawdle. Pull over and check your map or directions. It’s much safer and a lot easier than causing frustration to local drivers.

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