french speed cameras

[Hilewaychile]

It is just one of the reasons to avoid transiting France.

I at but in France it's too easy to be just a few Ks over the limit - and the number of changes to their speed limits - I've seen 3 speed limits within just a few metres in some villages...

Going to France? - expect a speeding ticket waiting at home on your return....

Not only have I 'been to France' dozens of times, for work [battlefield guiding and driving the 16-seaters on tour], pleasure, and in transit repeatedly from Spain to Calais in my self-build L3H2 van [I live in Valencia]. I have never had a speeding ticket..... I intend to move there. If we were not in the grip of the pox, I would be house-hunting in FR now.

The speed limit regime in France is no more a reason to avoid it than any speed limit regime in UK, Spain. or any other place. Everywhere has them.

If you "don't speed and 'know' without looking the speed I'm driving" what on earth is your beef?

 

[Barclaybasher]

Not only have I 'been to France' dozens of times, for work [battlefield guiding and driving the 16-seaters on tour], pleasure, and in transit repeatedly from Spain to Calais in my self-build L3H2 van [I live in Valencia]. I have never had a speeding ticket..... I intend to move there. If we were not in the grip of the pox, I would be house-hunting in FR now.

The speed limit regime in France is no more a reason to avoid it than any speed limit regime in UK, Spain. or any other place. Everywhere has them.

If you "don't speed and 'know' without looking the speed I'm driving" what on earth is your beef?

I repeat - it's just one of the reasons....

Boring dual carriageways, roundabouts, excessive traffic calming.....

I like France but not driving through just to get to Spain......

I did it last year - took a week - got a ticket for 86kph in an 80 - that's 54 in a 50 in mph - just one ticket in 800 miles - still peeded me off...

 

[Hymerbell]

I think F.M.C.Fourier will find that the so called "discretionary leeway usually given to UK drivers (after conversion to MPH) (i.e. under the limit plus 10% plus 2 mph)!" is a thing of the past in UK now, as well.

Where it exists," these tolerance levels for speeding are at the discretion of the police force." So they’re within their rights to punish drivers that flout the speed limit even by a few miles per hour. *

* Confused.com asked the police forces of England to confirm if discretionary leeway existed in their areas. Those that replied and confirmed that it did exist made the point that it is discretionary, not a right.

The constant jibbing at enforcement of speed limits, by all manner of users of the roads, inc MHs, is pointless and a remnant of the foot-stamping and pouting associated with the reaction of children to a reasonable request to stop doing something annoying.

They are just a form of disguised tax...and in England if you want to avoid the 3 points and go on a patronising jobsworth “Driver awareness course” the £100 or so you have to cough up goes straight into the police coffers I believe so that the State has more money to pay for their final salary pensions....that’s why the police are so industrious in trying to catch people going 33mph in a 30mph instead of doing their real job in catching criminals....especially the one who broke into my garage and stole my daughters bike.

I would just like to point out to any plod reading this that I am being forced to write this by a masked intruder and have the utmost respect for our Boys In Blue

 

[Hilewaychile]

Paul and Val, I hope to be joining you as resident In FR as soon as the brakes come off and I can get up there from Spain and get my feet under the table before the end of The Implementation Period [praying for an extention]

However, your rant about the 80kph limit cuts no ice with me because you clearly have never driven coast to coast across the USA, where there is a blanket 55mph limit max everywhere, including the Interstates.

This is Interstate 10 in Arizona. Spot the other vehicle. There ain't one. There are many hundreds of miles like this across the SW and S USA. But there are also notices on the roadside "Speed control by aircraft in this area". Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

Despite the mind-numbing tedium of driving over 3000 miles at no more than 55mph, I felt the idea that "It is a stupid and arbitrary limit and deserves to be treated with contempt." or any more polite version of this absurd statement would not go down well with the average US Highway Patrol officer.

Please will you explain to us what is stupid about "if you don't ever speed you don't have to worry"

 

[Hilewaychile]

More fake news .... "the £100 or so you have to cough up goes straight into the police coffers I believe so that the State has more money to pay for their final salary pensions....that’s why the police are so industrious in trying to catch people going 33mph in a 30mph .... "

Sorry to hear about your daughter's bike. Irrelevant, in this case.

An enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act on the destination of speeding fines produced this answer from HM Treasury. https://assets.publishing.service.g...fines_and_penalties_from_driving_offences.pdf

I can explain that speeding fines and penalty receipts are paid into the Consolidated Fund which is regarded as central Government’s current account and used towards general Government expenditure, rather than ring-fenced for specific spending. Further details about the Consolidated Fund are published at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-central-funds#consolidated-fund

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[62253]

Informative video thanks

Its a shame it doesnt tackle the 2 biggest menaces on French Roads : drink driving in the afternoons and driving all the way round traffic islands with the wrong/no indicator showing.

No different to UK then ?

 

[MitchandJenny]

Er........Calais is in France ?

Thanks T Tom.
Realise that mate, but minimum time spent there. Quickest.
Mitch.

 

[Hilewaychile]

the hat wearing fraternity in the Club

Well, I wear a hat - a Panama - here in Spain because genetics has seen fit to remove the natural barrier to the sun that I used to have in former years. Whether that makes me stupid for believing that "if you don't ever speed you don't have to worry" is actually true is a remarkable leap in association between prevention of sun burn and attitude to compliance with the law.

Your piece ["Sod the speed cameras"] reminds me of the statement, in court, by a woman from NYC on trial for tax evasion that "taxes are for the little people". She found that they applied to her, as well and she was sent down for a long stretch, to think about it.

 

[Paul and Val]

Despite the mind-numbing tedium of driving over 3000 miles at no more than 55mph, I felt the idea that "It is a stupid and arbitrary limit and deserves to be treated with contempt." or any more polite version of this absurd statement would not go down well with the average US Highway Patrol officer.

Please will you explain to us what is stupid about "if you don't ever speed you don't have to worry"

Err you seem to be somewhat confused.

80kmph is actually 49.5mph rather less than the highly dangerous speed of 55mph you talk about. Living in the south of France I am unlikely to be concerned by the opinions of U.S. traffic officers. Unless that is, there is some Police exchange program between the two countries of which I am unaware?

Comparing my views on speed limits in France to the limits in the U.S. does seem at best strange, but if that is all you have in order to make your point...………….

As an ex Police officer myself (albeit a very long time ago), if I was bothered by what the self-righteous traffic police would say to me I might drive differently. I am not, and stand with some conviction behind my views.

If you are hoping to move to France you will need to get a lighter weight flat cap as it does get hot here.

Safe motoring (which is very different to slow motoring).

 

[62253]

So, Paul and Val, are you saying that the rules don't apply to you. Do you have exemption?

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[Nasher]

Thanks T Tom.
Realise that mate, but minimum time spent there. Quickest.
Mitch.

You should get the Dunkirk ferry - even less time in France?

 

[Paul and Val]

Well, I wear a hat - a Panama -
Your piece ["Sod the speed cameras"] reminds me of the statement, in court, by a woman from NYC on trial for tax evasion that "taxes are for the little people". She found that they applied to her, as well and she was sent down for a long stretch, to think about it.

First I have a battered old Panama myself and you are to be commended Sir for your attire.

Secondly, I hate to correct you but the woman's name was Leona Helmsley and to be absolutely correct she actually said "Only the little people pay taxes". I remember the case very well.

If I may say so it does seem a trifle unfair to compare me to such a woman who defrauded the US tax system and New York City in particular out of many millions of Dollars but as you might say, "If the Panama fits…...…...……….

Happy motoring

 

[kevenh]

However, your rant about the 80kph limit cuts no ice with me because you clearly have never driven coast to coast across the USA, where there is a blanket 55mph limit max everywhere, including the Interstates.

When were you driving in the USA?
I ask because when I lived there 1992 65mph was becoming a legal freeway speed. (Connecticut)

A more recent USA Speed limits info resource is here.

But speed alone doesn't make the huge distance some of their straight roads are interesting ? per your picture example.

 

[Paul and Val]

So, Paul and Val, are you saying that the rules don't apply to you. Do you have exemption?

Very sadly I have no exemption. Blast!

Of course the rules apply to me. I merely choose treat that one ridiculous rule with the contempt it deserves!

I will, if ever caught speeding here, pay the fine and continue with a smile on my face and a clear conscience to drive in exactly the same way, and at exactly the same very safe speeds.

I have to leave this receipt of tellings off and chastisement from other (safe) drivers but I shall return to the fray later today. I look forward to the various lectures that I have coming.

Just orrrffff to break the speed limit (where it is safe to do so).

Happy motoring!

 

[spitfire]

And in a previous thread Iit was said if course there is no France bashing but off you go again .
If you don’t like it don’t come and stop commenting unfavourably on a place you have no interest in Anyway .

Laws are laws in whatever country you stay or visit so just respect them when you visit after all there are comments about people not respecting the U.K. laws so why should you be different in another country regardless

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[Nasher]

Happy motoring!

Doesn't 'The Esso sign mean happy motoring' so use this (rather large) emoji instead

????

 

[Hymerbell]

More fake news .... "the £100 or so you have to cough up goes straight into the police coffers I believe so that the State has more money to pay for their final salary pensions....that’s why the police are so industrious in trying to catch people going 33mph in a 30mph .... "

Sorry to hear about your daughter's bike. Irrelevant, in this case.

An enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act on the destination of speeding fines produced this answer from HM Treasury. https://assets.publishing.service.g...fines_and_penalties_from_driving_offences.pdf

I can explain that speeding fines and penalty receipts are paid into the Consolidated Fund which is regarded as central Government’s current account and used towards general Government expenditure, rather than ring-fenced for specific spending. Further details about the Consolidated Fund are published at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-central-funds#consolidated-fund
[/QUOTE

I didn’t say the speeding fines I said the money that is paid for the “Driver Awarness” courses. That goes straight to the police I believe...a much smaller amount obviously but still significant. On top of which although the speeding fines go to Central Goverment that huge amount of money can then be used to offset the ridiculously generous pension arrangements of our boys in blue. If the huge amount of money that is harvested from the public disappeared The Goverment may find it hard to fund these pensions hence my comment “disguised tax”

If it was about safety they would put all their efforts into catching people doing 60mph in a 30mph built up area, fining them £1000 and taking away their license for 2 years, not catching millions (the vast majority) doing 54pmh or 44mph in a not built up area. I often drive to Poole and they have introduced 40mph and 50mph on a long stretch of dual carriageway which is even 3 lanes sometimes so everyone crawls along on the inside lane whilst the other lanes are empty. It’s a disguised tax and funds the police either directly or indirectly.

 

[thebriars]

Interesting. I think it looks very clever but can’t believe all it is saying. I don’t see how it can spot mobile phone use or seat belt wearing without a person at the other end watching a monitor.

Why not? Have you not heard of face recognition software, or software that analyses handwriting? The software my bank uses to enable you to scan a cheque in automatically is probably far more complex than the software needed to spot a seat belt or a mobile phone in a high quality image.

 

[thebriars]

The difference between me and many poor drivers who slavishly follow speed limits is this. I adapt my speed to the road and conditions and will often slow down to below the posted limit in bad weather.

Yesterday I followed an elderly fellow who would swear with confidence that he was a safe driver.

No doubt you would also swear with confidence that you are a safe driver.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

I wonder if it will spot whether your number plate had ‘fallen off’?
What would happen then?

Front and back at same time?

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[62253]

Very sadly I have no exemption. Blast!

Of course the rules apply to me. I merely choose treat that one ridiculous rule with the contempt it deserves!

I will, if ever caught speeding here, pay the fine and continue with a smile on my face and a clear conscience to drive in exactly the same way, and at exactly the same very safe speeds.

I have to leave this receipt of tellings off and chastisement from other (safe) drivers but I shall return to the fray later today. I look forward to the various lectures that I have coming.

Just orrrffff to break the speed limit (where it is safe to do so).

Happy motoring!

I'm sorry, but this just displays sheer arrogance and selfishness. And this is from ex Police !! If anyone should know, you should that one of the 'fatal four' causes of deaths on the road is speeding. Whether you think you are a good driver is completely irrelevant as that is only your opinion of yourself.

Yes, someone who is driving slowly is not necessarily a good driver, as they may be erratic and lacking attention, but speeding because you think you think you are safe, blimey words fail me

 

[Landy Andy]

Why not? Have you not heard of face recognition software, or software that analyses handwriting? The software my bank uses to enable you to scan a cheque in automatically is probably far more complex than the software needed to spot a seat belt or a mobile phone in a high quality image.

yes I’ve heard of those things but they are very different To driving alone at 50-70 mile per hour wearing a black tshirt trying to spot a black seat belt going across it. It is also very difficult to determine, again at speed, someone who is holding a mobile next to their ear or just resting their on their had as they drive. Scanning a cheque is a simple process because it’s picking up the contrast of black writing on a white background at zero speed with no movement.

 

[thebriars]

yes I’ve heard of those things but they are very different To driving alone at 50-70 mile per hour wearing a black tshirt trying to spot a black seat belt going across it. It is also very difficult to determine, again at speed, someone who is holding a mobile next to their ear or just resting their on their had as they drive. Scanning a cheque is a simple process because it’s picking up the contrast of black writing on a white background at zero speed with no movement.

The camera is not determining anything "at speed". It takes a snapshot in a fast timeframe so that the car is shown not moving in the picture. Thus zero speed and no movement. As for the cheque, rarely white backgrounds, and often not black pen, but also able to read handwriting.

 

[Nasher]

I think I have a solution to all this - don't drive in France?

 

[Landy Andy]

You still are not going to get such a clear photo of something at speed as something that is stationary. You aren’t going to spot a black strip across a black top. Scanners have been around for years, reading a cheque is no different. But you believe what ever you want.

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[Camdoon]

Cheques are scanned by Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. It was easy to deface one character or fold the cheque, beneficially towards the end of a month, to slow up its clearance.

 

[gus-lopez]

Why not? Have you not heard of face recognition software, or software that analyses handwriting? The software my bank uses to enable you to scan a cheque in automatically is probably far more complex than the software needed to spot a seat belt or a mobile phone in a high quality image.

that's why I like d my old Ducato,Seats that high + the c class over cab meant that any forward facing camera was lucky to get your stomach & to err on the side of caution bring the sun visor down meant having to duck to actually see more than 2' of the road in front.
This one I use the sun visors

causes of deaths on the road is speeding.

No, it is inappropriate speed actually.

 

[62253]

No, it is inappropriate speed actually.

No. The Fatal Four as defined by UK police are , not wearing a seat belt, using a mobile phone, drink driving and speed. If someone is driving slowly, in other driver's opinions and then perform a dangerous manoeuver that results in a collision then that is the fault of the impatient driver.

 

[Pete5996]

I've been browsing the thread between spells of putting the bamboo shading on the pergola on the terrace down here in a very sunny and pleasantly warm SW France. I can't comment on what happens to the proceeds of the driver awareness courses but I'm pretty sure they didn't contribute much to the massive 1.7% raise I received with my final salary scheme pension this year. I've a pretty regretful view of the way the Job is run nowadays for so many reasons, so I don't intend to offer any excuses or defence for how Chief Officers run the show...

Back in the day, I didn't have any choice over the type of scheme and I guess I'm one of the lucky ones to benefit from it. Please don't hold it against today's youngsters doing the Job as they are now on infinitely worse pension terms than I enjoy. Work them to the point where they have to bail out for their own sake before they reach pensionable age seems to be the strategy now. I've also got over the guilt of accepting it by remembering the occasions when I stuck my neck out on behalf of the public (not very often, admittedly, but I always believed that I was being paid not for what I was doing but for what I might have to do...)

Regarding speeding, despite being a press-on driver who doesn't dawdle about, I'm still holding a licence which has been clean since 1970. Since 2004 I've driven many thousands of miles in the UK, France and many other countries and somehow seem to have avoided the letter in the post or the wave to the side of the road. That's not to say I have never been been flashed - for whatever reason the authoritites have never followed it through on the few occasions.

I was taught the secret on the driving and riding courses I took in the Job - observation, anticipation and defensive driving - and it has paid off in spades over the years . Observation is by far the most important. Always be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you. Most people look at what the car in front is doing - try looking at what the third or fourth car ahead is doing instead. That gives you more time to react and you'll often find you're braking before the driver ahead of you does so. Anticipation - judging your arrival at roundabouts by watching the approaching traffic, before you reach the give way line and reacting accordingly so you can safely slot in if possible. Again, silly things such as if the driver ahead is wearing a hat, you should anticipate that he or she may well do something unexpected. Defensively - make progress when you can but continually assess the situation, assume the other driver will do the unexpected and don't try to win every encounter that might arise. It's bad for your nerves, anyway.

There, apologies, this wasn't intended to be my Sunday sermon. I've probably put the kiss of death on my licence for when I next go out now....?

 

[Hymerbell]

I've been browsing the thread between spells of putting the bamboo shading on the pergola on the terrace down here in a very sunny and pleasantly warm SW France. I can't comment on what happens to the proceeds of the driver awareness courses but I'm pretty sure they didn't contribute much to the massive 1.7% raise I received with my final salary scheme pension this year. I've a pretty regretful view of the way the Job is run nowadays for so many reasons, so I don't intend to offer any excuses or defence for how Chief Officers run the show...

Back in the day, I didn't have any choice over the type of scheme and I guess I'm one of the lucky ones to benefit from it. Please don't hold it against today's youngsters doing the Job as they are now on infinitely worse pension terms than I enjoy. Work them to the point where they have to bail out for their own sake before they reach pensionable age seems to be the strategy now. I've also got over the guilt of accepting it by remembering the occasions when I stuck my neck out on behalf of the public (not very often, admittedly, but I always believed that I was being paid not for what I was doing but for what I might have to do...)

Regarding speeding, despite being a press-on driver who doesn't dawdle about, I'm still holding a licence which has been clean since 1970. Since 2004 I've driven many thousands of miles in the UK, France and many other countries and somehow seem to have avoided the letter in the post or the wave to the side of the road. That's not to say I have never been been flashed - for whatever reason the authoritites have never followed it through on the few occasions.

I was taught the secret on the driving and riding courses I took in the Job - observation, anticipation and defensive driving - and it has paid off in spades over the years . Observation is by far the most important. Always be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you. Most people look at what the car in front is doing - try looking at what the third or fourth car ahead is doing instead. That gives you more time to react and you'll often find you're braking before the driver ahead of you does so. Anticipation - judging your arrival at roundabouts by watching the approaching traffic, before you reach the give way line and reacting accordingly so you can safely slot in if possible. Again, silly things such as if the driver ahead is wearing a hat, you should anticipate that he or she may well do something unexpected. Defensively - make progress when you can but continually assess the situation, assume the other driver will do the unexpected and don't try to win every encounter that might arise. It's bad for your nerves, anyway.

There, apologies, this wasn't intended to be my Sunday sermon. I've probably put the kiss of death on my licence for when I next go out now....?

And a jolly good sermon it was. NEVER trust a driver who is wearing a hat my old man used to say....I’m glad that piece of very wise advice is being reiterated....the rest of your advice is excellent as well....Please accept the 1.7% as a personal gift from me and my “Driver Awareness Course” colleagues...you deserve it ?

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