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DRIVING IN FRANCE
The relaxation of customs restrictions has given an added incentive to cross the channel. Some people head no further than the nearest hypermarket where they can pick up cheap wine and cigarettes. But even a day trip can be combined with a taste of French culture by visiting nearby attractions such as the seaside resort of Le Touquet or picturesque old town of Montreuil. Motorists heading from crowded south east England will discover that French roads are lightly trafficked and enjoyable to use. There's a comprehensive and well-maintained network of autoroutes (motorways) which have a 130 kph (80mph) maximum speed limit allowing swift progress to be made. Most are toll roads, which can add considerably to your motoring expenses. Compared with British motorways, the auto route network is well organised to ease the task of long distance driving. Every 10km or so there are rest areas (called a/res de repos) which are ideal for a short break to stretch your legs, take a nap or have a picnic. Service stations with a full range of facilities including restaurants come up at intervals of 30 or 40km. These tend to have a more interesting regional flavour than their counterparts in the UK, and during the holiday season they often stage entertainment, which can be a boon for bored children. Details of these can be found in English on the useful website www.autoroutes.fr. There are also several chains of cheap, basic hotels, such as Formule 1, which are situated just off the auto route and are ideal for an overnight break when heading south. Although French autoroutes usually provide an uncongested and unstressful journey, this can change dramatically at peak holiday times when the roads from Paris fill with families leaving the city. Long traffic jams are common on the auto routes heading south, particularly on Bastille Day (July 14) and the first weekend in August. If your route takes you via Paris, it's a good idea to time your ferry crossing so you don't hit the Peripherique (the French equivalent of the M25) at rush hour when congestion can cause long delays. If you have the time, leave the auto routes behind and take the Bison Fute (crafty bison) or Bis routes. These follow more picturesque Routes Nationales (equivalent to our A-roads) but outside of towns it's still easy to make good progress along the straight tree-lined avenues of rural France. A handy free map of Bis routes can be obtained from tourist offices and some service stations. There's also a website www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr which gives details of roadworks and anticipated traffic jams.
French defence "In my experience the French driver is no worse than the average British driver. Could the higher accident rate in France be contributed to by all the foreigners hurtling through to sunnier climes? Particularly the British, on the wrong side of the road!" Wendy Furey
Local drivers French drivers have a reputation for being intimidatingly fast, but this really applies only to the big cities. Once you've witnessed the rush hour in Paris you'll realise why you're better off sticking to the Metro (underground railway) while in the capital. Driving standards get noticeably more aggressive in holiday regions during August, when Parisians take their bad habits on vacation with them. French drivers tend to treat their cars as utilitarian objects and minor scrapes and bumps are common.
Essential equipment Like most other European countries, France insists that drivers must be at least 18 years of age. Although British drivers are quite legal at 17 in the UK they would be committing a serious offence by driving in France: penalties include a fine and impounding the vehicle. To be legal in France you need to equip your car with a warning triangle and a set of spare light bulbs, and fit a GB sticker (unless your car is already fitted with europlates).
Give way to the right The motoring law most likely to catch out British drivers in France is priorite a droite (give way to the right). Unless there are signs to the contrary cars entering from the right have right of way, even if they are joining a main road from a side street. This means caution is needed at unmarked junctions in towns. It also applies at roundabouts unless signs specifically state otherwise. The priorite a droite rule is overridden on main roads marked with the passage protege sign, a yellow diamond.
Speed limits Speed limits in towns and villages start with the place name sign and end with the place name sign crossed out - don't expect to be given any other warning. Take care when it starts to rain as lower speed limits then apply. You are also subject to lower speed limits if you have held your driving licence for less than two years. A speed limit of 50kph applies on the auto route in foggy conditions. French police have started to crack down on speeding motorists. Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by 40kph face having their driving licence confiscated (which can make getting your car back to England awkward if you are driving alone). It is illegal to have a radar detector in your car: this is a serious offence and can result in confiscation of both the device and your vehicle. French police are empowered to collect on-the-spot fines. More serious offences can result in your driving licence or vehicle being confiscated. For several years now the drink-drive limit in France has been lower than in the UK, at 50mg alcohol per 100ml blood (compared with 80mg in the UK). Popular vote Take extra care when driving in France when elections are due. Traditionally there's an amnesty for all but the most serious traffic offences when a new president is elected, and speeding and parking offences soar at this time Shopping trips If you are visiting France on a shopping trip, consult the recommended customs allowances on p65. Take care not to buy more than you can safely carry, as police on both sides of the Channel will take action if they see a dangerously overloaded car.
Parking restrictions Parking restrictions are indicated by signs and yellow markings on the kerb. Dotted road markings indicate parking spaces; at those marked 'payanf you need to pay for parking. Spaces outlined in yellow are reserved for utility vehicles or card holders. Where there are dotted yellow lines on the edge of the pavement you may stop briefly for dropping off passengers only. Parking meters are common in towns, as are blue zones where you need to purchase and display a parking disc. In Paris, do not park or stop on red routes and do not leave a car parked in the same place for more than 24 hours. Look out for streets on which parking is allowed on one side for the first half of the month only, after which parking switches to the other side. This is indicated by a parking sign showing 1-15 or 16-31. Parking souterrain means an underground car park, sometimes more expensive but usually more secure. Car crime Thieves may target cars with foreign number plates. Keep valuables out of sight and, particularly in the Marseille to Menton area, keep your car doors locked when driving to deter bag snatchers. There have been cases of muggings taking place at more isolated motorway rest areas. Monaco and Andorra To the south of France are two principalities - tiny Monaco on the Cote d'Azur, and rugged Andorra in the Pyrenees. Road regulations are broadly similar to those in France, although parking restrictions are tight, particularly in Monaco where caravans are not allowed.
Extracted from Haynes Glovebox guide DRIVING ABROAD by Robert Davies. This authoritive guide provides a wealth of information on all aspects of driving abroad. Order from www.haynes.co.uk |
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