France, speed traps

[Polar Bear]

Has anyone read this yet?

Unmarked speed cars in three more French regions

 

[daygoboy]

I'd never miss a whole country out of my tavels for reasons such as that, particularly one
that I'm particularly predisposed to having a liking for.
But I appreciate that those not so disposed to France, together with savings on fuel costs, and maybe
travel time considerations may well take a different view.

 

[spigot]

The answer is simple, keep to speed limits, can’t go wrong.

 

[daygoboy]

and when I was transiting France with a truck carrying Dangerous Goods, it was like running the gauntlet and my truck hardly ever passed a control point without an inspection.
Why? because they could clearly see it was a RHD UK truck and was displaying the orange plates showing it was carrying Dangerous Goods. An easy target for minor infringements.

Quite honestly I'd say that a rigorous inspection regime for 'minor infringements' if only a suspicion while carrying 'Dangerous Goods' was the Gendarmes thankfully taking their job seriously!

Can understand how it would piss a driver off, but tough really, just something to factor in regarding travel times etc.

I bet German truck drivers would be more likely to think themselves to be victimised (perhaps rightly) by the French Gendarmerie than a UK truckie might think he was.

 

[Kontiki]

I have my sat nav to warn me if I go over the speed limit, there is an option to set the % over the designated speed limit I have it set to zero. It can be a bit annoying as it does keep telling me I'm exceeding the limit in a 50kph limit but better that than getting fined.

 

[daygoboy]

I could never imagine the French Gendarmerie being given official orders or even tacit instructions
to victimise Brits.

Yes I could see them being instructed to crack down but on all, and equally, of course you will always
find the individual Gendarme exercising his personal vendettas and prejudices, no doubt some
might have an anti Dutch or German approach. Still some other Gendarmes are probably apt
to pick on their fellow French, simply because they think they should know better.

Doubtless a Bulgarian truckie or 2 might think that Brit cops are always picking on Johnny foreigner
and Bulgies in particular, and probably a few actually do.

I suspect tired behind schedule truckies get pulled over and give the Gendarme or cop a bit of lip with just a
hint of racism, the cop takes it personally, throws the book at the driver. From then on the truckie
thinks the French have got it in for those of whichever nationality he happens to be.
Substitute car motorhome mbike driver rider for truckie and similar scenario ends with similar result.

 

[witzend]

We provide the foreigners with our drivers details but it don,t get reciprecated so no fear of them getting fined here. As for Police their the same the world over just thinking of a easy life an early retirement

 

[daygoboy]

You can only speak as you find, I just find it difficult to accept that the French Gendarmes target
Brits anymore than they would drivers from any other EU Nation at least not officially, but contend
that there are rogue elements in any group, including cops of whatever stripe set on carrying out
their own agenda.
Assumes normal peacetime conditions of course! B**X*T may well have bearing at the moment,
but that may work both ways maybe in a Brit driver's favour, quite a few French back the UK B**X*TEERS
after all.

B**X*T the word that dare not speak its name.