The nationwide 80km/h was relaxed some considerable time ago and each département is now free to return some or all single carriageway open roads to 90km/h. Can get a bit confusing, particularly when satnav data is not bang up to date.
The head of the French safety department says:-
“How can I tell if the road is 80km/h or 90km/h?
Benoît Hiron, who leads the safety department at CEREMA (Centre d’études et d’expertise sur les risques, l’environnement, la mobilité et l’aménagement), told
France Culture that the “80km/h rule applies to the whole network unless there is a sign indicating an exception.”
“Departments have the possibility to choose another speed limit for certain sections of road, as long as they signal it.
“If in doubt, opt for 80km/h as your default.” “
So if no sign indicates 90km then 80km it is.
An interesting French average speed survey suggests that the French are disregarding the mix of limits and maintaining the same average speeds now as before when limits were higher. The claim is accidents have actually increased in 80km areas as overtaking of slower vehicles has increased resulting in more risk taking and consequential accidents.
I must admit that when I encounter slow motorhomes, I instruct Mrs Moped to tell me when the road is clear.
Not an issue of course on dual carriageways and motorways which will form the major part of the fast route down to Valencia. Mrs Moped even takes a turn to drive on these roads!
