New legislation driving through France ('Ring ppl)

[Doc Matt]

From 1st July 2008 it will compulsory to carry a reflective jacket on board a vehicle with four or more wheels.

This jacket must be easily accessible to the driver in an emergency and must be put on before leaving the car, regardless of the time of day or the level of visibility.

From October 1st 2008 any driver found not complying will face a 135 euro fine (90 euro fine if paid early.)

Even if you have a warning triangle, you must still have a hi-viz jacket.:)

Available on ebay here for 99p plus £1.50 postage. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HIGH-VISIBILITY-HI-VIS-HIGH-VIZ-VEST-SIZE-LARGE_W0QQitemZ380057435760QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m380057435760&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A2%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

[Doc Matt]

if this is a repost, please accept my apologies, but i swear I haven't read about this on evoT

[JazzMan]

You also need a blub kit and fire extinguisher as I understand it.

[Handler]

You also need a blub kit and fire extinguisher as I understand it.

I think they turn an eye to the bulb kit one as alot of cars have xenons are are not always easy to change also quite a few cars with LED's. But i may be wrong.

No idea about the extinguisher seems a bit ott, but i guess its better to have it and not need, then to need it and not have it.

I think someone spoke about this a while ago Matt, however they never gave an ebay link, so thanks mate :D

Just checked the link they are all Large, its all about the fit if im going to be busting such an outfit

[dxb335d]

what else do i need for this ring trip? It will be my first time driving abroad.

[Doc Matt]

what else do i need for this ring trip? It will be my first time driving abroad.

Car, money and a tampon to shove up your arse to stop the shit flying out when you're a pax in my Porsche and we head straight towards the armco because I have no idea how to get a rear engined 4wd 911 around the course. ;)

[richbe]

All your legal requirements for driving on the continent Here (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf) :)

[dxb335d]

Car, money and a tampon to shove up your arse to stop the shit flying out when you're a pax in my Porsche and we head straight towards the armco because I have no idea how to get a rear engined 4wd 911 around the course. ;)


so your offering me a pax lap then:p CANT WAIT;)




All your legal requirements for driving on the continent Here (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf) :)

cheers dude.

[Durgesh]

Thanks for the heads up Matt.

Just ordered a Jacket. ;-)

[MEGA]

so your offering me a pax lap then:p CANT WAIT;)
.


Its been nice knowing you the last short year. Have a good after life.

[Handler]

Its been nice knowing you the last short year. Have a good after life.

I will get pictures for you MEGA of the aftermath

[mystic sport]

Also, and I know I am banging the same old drum but in france, belgium and I now hear holland, there is bugger all tolerance given to UK drivers who exceed the speed limits. I know we have dicked around with speeding going on these trips before but I definately am keeping it legal. I am hearing of massive fines, cars being confiscated and court appearances that you have to go back to france for (or whatever country) and attend before you get your car back, this also means a bigger fine (don't forget the minimum 750euro roadside fine just for getting caught).

I am not risking a thing and going to be one boring mofo - until I get to the autobahns and the ring :D .

[alexsh1]

ref hi-viz jacket....
Its been a requirement for Italy and I think Spain, now its a requirement for France and Belgium. Nevermind, I always have one in my car for the safety reason.

Now the Fire Extinguisher is not compulsory in any EU country yet! It is rather recommended! BMW even charges £££ to have it in your BMW

Spare bulbs....its really rediculous...how many times have you changed a bulb in your car on the motorway? Particularly if its a Xenon one. However, I remember its a requirement for Spain and I think Croatia...funny but I do have a set of spare bulbs in my car as well lol

ref fines
Having driven this weekend from Belgium to Nederlands at around 140-160 kph, forget about the myths told somewhere on the net. If you do more then 130 kph in France or 120 in Belgium or Nederlands on the motorway, you are subject to a fine, but not a confiscation. This is only when you exceed 50 kph above the limit, your car is a subject to a confiscation as a security and you have to attend a court hearing in due course to decide the amount of fine to be paid.

In order to avoid any frustration:

1. Get a good speed camera detector
2. Often watch your rear view mirror for any particular car (especially BMW) or motorcycle following you. The undercover police normally have a bulky device right below their rear-view mirror to film you so you can identify them.
They have to follow you at least for xx miles/kms in order to pull and fine.
If you have noticed being followed slow down to the limit and carry on driving normally - this did help me several times even though I have been pulled and checked

3. Generally go with a speed of a flow of traffic around you. In Europe everyone is speeding at least 10-20 kph above the limit on the motorways and the police often is turning blind eye on this.

In Italy where the limit is 50, everyone goes upto 80 kph due to the reason that the police radars only work from 80 kph and above (according to italians)

[bigshout]

Thanks for the update guy's, off the France tomorrow, didn't know about the high vis jacket. fortunately I have one in the garage so I'll take it. TBH though how will the french police know if you have one or not unless you break down?

[alexsh1]

TBH though how will the french police know if you have one or not unless you break down?

pulling you and checking if you have one :rolleyes:

[mystic sport]

1. Get a good speed camera detector
Not a good idea, french police will confiscate it or get you to drive over it, they are illegal in france.

[alexsh1]

Not a good idea, french police will confiscate it or get you to drive over it, they are illegal in france.

Are you sure about it? The laser radar detectors maybe are not not speed camera detectors.

Here is more info http://english.controleradar.org/speed-camera-detector.php

Speed camera detectors
There are two families of products available:
- Real radar detectors, forbidden by law in France.
- Radar warning systems, using a database of the location of the speed cameras coupled with a GPS. Allowed in France.

Radar and Laser Detectors - forbidden in France
Radar and Laser detectors detect active (in-use) speed cameras. Advances in speed camera technology have superseded these systems and new digital speed cameras are invisible to Radar and Laser detectors. Unlike GPS based systems there is no subscription with Radar and Laser detectors. Such a device is not allowed in France. Getting caught having such a device in your vehicle means a 1500 euros fine, device impounded (with the car if fixed to it).

GPS Speed Camera Detectors - allowed in france
A GPS speed camera detector relies on a database of speed camera locations. GPS speed camera detectors warn drivers of all known fixed and mobile speed cameras - good as long as they are known. It also offers the user many additional features including the exact camera type, range and perhaps most useful - the road speed limit. Some database updates for France can be available for free, but usually a small fee (monthly or annualy) is requested for easy accurate updates.

[bigshout]

Well now I have a Megane sport 225 cup, being a french car I'm hoping they will leave me alone.

[SpeedTrap]

Lucy just told me that her boss was driving across France last week with his kids; police stopped him, breathalise him, check for speed detectors (does not matter what type), high visibility jacket, first aid kit and hazard triangle. The police said the rules are there in order for anyone to be able to help others in case of accidents....?

[alexsh1]

Lucy just told me that her boss was driving across France last week with his kids; police stopped him, breathalise him, check for speed detectors (does not matter what type), high visibility jacket, first aid kit and hazard triangle. The police said the rules are there in order for anyone to be able to help others in case of accidents....?

They have not done anything wrong. The law is there and we have to accept.
At least when I drive in Europe I always expect to be pulled.

Last time at the UK boarder I have been questioned 15 mins about everything (where I went, why, what I do for living, etc). I was suspected in the drug trafficking and it was their duty to see that I was absolutely ligal.

[phat///M3]

Well now I have a Megane sport 225 cup, being a french car I'm hoping they will leave me alone.

Dont count on it mate.

[dxb335d]

Do modern day bm's have triangles stock?

[richbe]

mines got one in the tool kit, not sure if it is standard all round though

[phat///M3]

Moi aussi.

[Nickleback]

Car, money and a tampon to shove up your arse to stop the shit flying out when you're a pax in my Porsche and we head straight towards the armco because I have no idea how to get a rear engined 4wd 911 around the course. ;)

Sounds about right for the first lap until you heat the brakes up a little then :p