Speeding in France warning! Roll On Brexit!

Rappey69

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I got collared for a few driving offences in Perugia, Italy in a hired smart car (cant have been for speeding then?)
Sixt were more than happy to pass on my details and charge me for the privilege !
It was a year after the alleged offences I got a notification wanting quite a lot of money and if not paid within a certain time frame would then double.
I could appeal but it had to be written in Italian??
I googled and found out the timeframe for Italians at that time for being notified/prosecuted was 6 months.
Italy has been fined by the EU many times for doing this so I chose to not pay.
The uk timeframe for notification I believe is 2 weeks!
Whatever the timeframe for notification for intended prosecution is for a country applies to visitors as well.
 

ajlsl600

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I've been to France since the 80kph limit was introduced. Now whilst a reduction from 90kph to 80kph doesn't sound much, it is '****** boring'. As to not having the resources to display the reduced speed limit signs, certainly, in the part of Brittany that I visit, they were erected, but covered, well before the appointed date.

The 80kph limit harks back the UK's 50mph limit, everywhere, at the time of the fuel crises of the 1970's. That again, was '****** boring' and attributed nothing to Road Safety. Indeed, I would argue, that the concentration needed to conform to a lower limit took attention away from spacial awareness.

In a way, I am surprised that Macron's speed changes have not already been abandoned. He is certainly unpopular and this change can not have done him any favours. Perhaps he just acknowledges that he is on his 'way out' and wants to 'save face' by not reversing earlier decisions. Dunno.:geek:


well he upped the tax on fuel,then offered a way to improve fuel ecconomy. typical france.
 

sonic

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I have triggered several speed cameras in Germany, nothing from them.
 

grayb

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I have triggered several speed cameras in Germany, nothing from them.
We've had a ticket from Germany from a camera - in a hire car so they could trace us. Several years ago now. Didn't pay it (was all in German) but still get nervous when driving in Germany...
 

sonic

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We've had a ticket from Germany from a camera - in a hire car so they could trace us. Several years ago now. Didn't pay it (was all in German) but still get nervous when driving in Germany...

Got caught once at a manned site but not stopped. I was in a hire car, but fortunately hired the car in Switzerland. Never had anything in the post.


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First time I've heard anyone justify Brexit by the fact it will allow speeding in France(even if it won't).
Fits with the general guillotine-as-a-cure-for-toothache philosophy, though.

Maybe having a sense of humour would help?
The point of the post is to warn others, the brexit thing was just a laugh!
 

ajlsl600

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this all seems to be going from state into private collection so we can probably rely on capitalism to overcome border issues with state approvals and states benefiting with little or no outlay ... whats new ?
 

DanR200

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The agreement has been in place for a few years to allow tracing and issuing European speed fines. Unfortunately they have just unblocked the channels of communication. Think theres still an issue with Points. A few I know are now getting French speed tickets from 2017 & 18 to their uk address. And Le Mans 24 does wonders for their target quotas. I think an aston has the current record for highest speed clocked.
Oh, speaking of french penalties. remember to get your windscreen sticker for clean air before entering certain cities.
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/demande-ext/cgu
 

DanR200

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Hi - I just wanted to note to the OP that there is software available that allows you to add speed cam locations to your sat nav, including Mercedes fixed sat navs (such as POIBase). This makes getting speed tickets considerably less likely if you are travelling in unfamiliar territory, and the majority of the changed FR speed limits have been updated in decent POI databases. Please note however, that speed cam warnings are illegal in France, as are I believe generic "police" warnings which were sometimes used to circumvent this by systems such as TomTom, so its a "use at own risk" issue.
Garmin says "Dangerous Zone" which has an area slightly larger than the original speed camera warning area.
Don't forget the yellow vest in the car, the spare bulbs, the breath analysers, the triangle, sun cream and little man with the red flag.
More sinister is the speed average cameras that seem to be spreading at an alarming rate.
 
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Hi - I just wanted to note to the OP that there is software available that allows you to add speed cam locations to your sat nav, including Mercedes fixed sat navs (such as POIBase).

I don't believe that is still possible with the latest versions of COMAND. I think even the newer TomToms no longer support third party add ons either like pocketgps speed cameras. Unless someone knows different?
 

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Garmin says "Dangerous Zone" which has an area slightly larger than the original speed camera warning area.
Don't forget the yellow vest in the car, the spare bulbs, the breath analysers, the triangle, sun cream and little man with the red flag.
More sinister is the speed average cameras that seem to be spreading at an alarming rate.
I thought that the breath analysers still haven't come in , it was a program suggested years ago but then got suspended before coming into force . At least that's how I understand it
 

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I thought that the breath analysers still haven't come in , it was a program suggested years ago but then got suspended before coming into force . At least that's how I understand it
It's "recommended" you don't have to have them - it was to be a legal requirement but then became a recommendation - I expect it was only the Brits that ever bought any... I have a couple of expired ones which I have in the car :D
 

Wighty

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It's "recommended" you don't have to have them - it was to be a legal requirement but then became a recommendation - I expect it was only the Brits that ever bought any... I have a couple of expired ones which I have in the car :D
I carry some expired ones as well , the ferries and Halfords still sell them as "requirements" which always irritates me a bit
 
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rf065

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It's "recommended" you don't have to have them - it was to be a legal requirement but then became a recommendation - I expect it was only the Brits that ever bought any... I have a couple of expired ones which I have in the car :D

The truth is that it became apparent that there would never be enough breath kits available on the date the law was supposed to go live, so it was postponed for a year. Soon after that, it was discovered that the politician who forced the law through in record time without any of the usual discussions, was the brother in law of the guy who made the breath kits. The whole thing stank and was now so tainted that everyone wanted to repeal the law, but going through through the correct procedures would take years, so it was decided that scrapping the fine for not having one was quicker and easier all round.
 

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I carry some expired ones as well , the ferries and Halfords still sell them as "requirements" which always irritates me a bit
I've carried the same spare bulb kit I bought for my W210 in every car I've taken over since :D with xenons and LED's pretty irrelevant but I'm obeying the word of the law :p
 
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I've carried the same spare bulb kit I bought for my W210 in every car I've taken over since :D with xenons and LED's pretty irrelevant but I'm obeying the word of the law :p

Another urban myth, there is no law that you have to carry spare bulbs. There is a law that you can get fined if a bulb is not working, but if you change it there and then you'll usually not get fined. If your carrying bulbs that don't fit your car, then your still at risk of a fine, or not being allowed to continue your journey. The whole thing has become a farce now that cars have LED lights that would require you to change the whole unit.
 
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Srdl

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I don't believe that is still possible with the latest versions of COMAND. I think even the newer TomToms no longer support third party add ons either like pocketgps speed cameras. Unless someone knows different?
Have a look at https://www.scdb.info/en/software-mercedes/
It does depend what you have and what year your car is. Works fine with my 2018 GLC which has NTG5*2. Good value for 9.95€ for a year's subscription.
 

Uta

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I don't believe that is still possible with the latest versions of COMAND. I think even the newer TomToms no longer support third party add ons either like pocketgps speed cameras. Unless someone knows different?
It doesn't work with COMAND 5.5, but it does with MBUX - always depends upon the exact model. Some Mercedes have Garmin Map Pilot systems, which work.

As for TomTom, on newer models AFAIK you can now load third party POI's, but it is a bit rubbish. They all have the same symbols and won't give warnings, be they audio or visual, you'll just see a generic icon on the map.

As long as your model is compatible, you should be able to use POIbase to import any POI files you have in gpx, kml or csv format.

If you aren't sure it works with your unit, you could load free POI's first, and if that works, it should also work for the others. Or ask the support to double check.
 

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