Question about speeds Mainland Europe

warsteiner77 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 18, 2006 Posts: 7

Just a quick and possible silly question about the speed cameras in mainland Europe.

I've downloaded the French POI's, including speed cameras, and will be travelling to France this weekend. Currently when I'm driving in the UK the speed limit is dispayed in mph (as I've configured my 268+ to display speeds in mph) but if I'm driving in France will the speed limits be displayed in kmh or will they be converted to mph?

So if I'm driving along a road with a speed limit of 100kmh will the device warn me that I'm speeding if I go over 60mph?

Thanks and sorry if this is a silly question or has been covered in another topic.

Dave

ray2001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 36

They will be displayed in kmph. However, whilst the speed camera database is available for the continent, the use of the database is often illegal!!! Whatever you do, ensure you are not using ANY kind of laser/radar detector - these are strictly not acceptable. Be careful around the channel ports since French gendarmerie have in the past selected UK cars for special attention with speed guns etc!

Border_Collie · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:45 am Post subject:

My French friend assures me that any device giving a warning of a speed camera/trap will not be tolerated by the Gendarmerie. Expect a heavy fine and your device confiscated or destroyed if you get caught.

A few kph over the limit is usually tolerated, even if you are a Brit., contrary to popular belief. However, the 45kpm, usually near schools, and the 110kph in the wet on Autoroutes, they give no leeway. It is enforced and you can expect an on the spot fine.

A quick way to convert kph to mph, if you find it difficult to see the figures on your speedo, is to ignore the zero and multiply by 6. In the figure you gave 100kph, ignoring the zero gives you 10 multiplied by 6 = 60. This works throught the speed range, this conversion is always slightly under the speed limit so you won't be speeding.

Take extra care when approaching Hamlets/Villages as there are usually no speed limit signs, although sometimes there is a 70 on the approach. As soon as you see the sign showing the name of the village means it is a 50kph speed limit. When you pass through you will see another sign, with the name of the village on it, with a red line crossing diagonally, this indicates you are back to the 90kph limit.

I just realised, I assumed this is your first trip. I apologise if I've stated what you already know. Have a nice trip.

daktari · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 17

Border_Collie · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject:

warsteiner77 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 18, 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for your answers and the warnings about the French police.

RobBrady · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:13 pm Post subject:

Not sure what the position is in France, but you may find the following from our Members Speed Camera Database Questions And Answers page interesting:

Q. Are your speed camera warnings legal?

A. Yes, the official Government line is that most fixed cameras are installed at accident 'black spots' where four or more serious road accidents have occurred over a three year period. It is the joint policy of both the UK Department for Transport and the police to make the locations of these cameras as well known as possible. The Speed Camera Database (which also includes traffic light camera warnings) adds to this process by identifying the places where extra care should be taken. Not only do we receive additions and modifications from police forces, but we are also reliably informed that police officers 'unofficially' use our database. Officers are often treated more harshly when caught, especially by their superiors, so it is in their interest to be extra careful!
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Q. Do the Government support what you do?

A. Yes. The Road Safety Bill 2005 states: "The Government will not be prohibiting those devices that rely on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to warn drivers of published camera sites or posted speed limits, as these complement the Government's policy to ensure that camera sites are visible and conspicuous to drivers, and so help deter excessive and inappropriate speeds on the roads." They also say "The road safety benefits are clear. The existing GPS systems can contain information including the location of all approved speed camera sites in the country and the speed limits that apply there. Providing this information to drivers can only improve the prospects of drivers amending their speeds in order to comply with limits at or near camera sites."

The RAC also support what we do. Edmund King, the executive director, said: "These alerts have clear road safety benefits. They provide drivers with a legitimate reminder that they should slow down, and prevent the need to keep taking their eyes off the road to check the speedometer
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Q. But then why have I read media reports that detectors are illegal?

A. The Government plans to include a ban on radar detectors in a forthcoming Road Safety Bill. The Department of Transport states: "Devices which detect or interfere with the proper functioning of such cameras have only one purpose: to tell drivers when they can break speed limits and get away with it. This is unacceptable, it prevents the police from carrying out their duties, and is a danger to other law-abiding road users." This has no relation whatsoever to the PocketGPSWorld.com database, the type of which the Government actively supports.

Border_Collie · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:09 am Post subject:

ray2001 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 36

As a very experienced driver on the continent, and France in particular, I would second all of Lost_Properties comments. Driving on the generally empty roads in France is a real pleasure and the French as a race I find friendly and helpful PROVIDED you make an attempt to converse in French first!! The Gendamerie CAN be very awkward and any road fine is on the spot - take a credit card with you since they may take you to the Bank to draw it out!! Avoid AT ALL COSTS getting involved with the Riot Police - if you come across any real upset then beat a very hasty retreat if the police draw truncheons. Enjoy your trip! Your Mio will perform perfectly since the coverage of France is first class.

Border_Collie · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject:

As ray2001 says, the French really are nice people, providing you at least try to speak their language. It doesn't help to shout louder and LOUNDER in English to try to be understood. Many do speak some English and at least if you try in French they will be more helpful.

Their speed traps tend not to be in new 'marked' vans but rather something like a very old Renault van which appears to be broken down at the side of the road. 'Gotcha'.

Also remember that when on toll roads, 'peage', the time is shown on your ticket when you start, if you find the open road tempting, and put your foot down, don't be surprised to be pulled at the next toll booth by Gendarmes, as your average speed can quickly be calculated and if 'over the top' your wallet will become lighter. A couple of years ago I was travelling on the A26, at 80mph, when a black Porche, with a GB plate, overtook me so fast I thought I was in reverse. Ten minutes further on, at the toll booth, and I spotted the same Porche with Gendarmes swarming all over it. 'Nicked'.

Another reason I suggest travellers to France should take it easy, especially for the first time, is because in the event of something unexpected happening, our natural reactions tend to be what we would do when driving on the left. An example is of the time I was overtaken by a 'Brit' travelling too fast approaching a roundabout, he had to brake sharply and went into a skid, his natural reaction sent him to the left of the roundabout. Fortunately he hit nothing but was well shaken by the experience. I checked he was OK and he said 'It's my first time driving on the right'. Yeah right, even more reason why he should have taken things gently.

You know the worst thing about driving in France?

Arriving back home and driving on the M20!

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