Speeding in france

Is there any truth in the rumour that whilst travelling on toll roads in france the system automatically times you from toll booth to toll booth and if you have been speeding the police are informed and stop you as you pull away after paying the toll?

[DarrenSV650S]

I never had any problems anyway......
Passed a few fixed speed cameras too, and didn't get any bother

Likewise. Have driven/ridden for years in France and have seen relatively little evidence of concerted speed controls. Granted, I've spotted a few well-placed radar traps (hidden dips and corners etc) just like back home but never been aware of timings on the Autoroutes... this would imply automatic number plate recognition from cameras capturing both front & back of vehicles in order to be effective.

Let's be frank here. The travelling French public woudn't stand for it and, unlike in the UK, they would strike, block, impede and generally create manifestations everywhere in protest. Unlike us Brits who generally take this kind of stuff on the chin without much more than a grumble!

Blimey - someone take my soapbox away

The simple answer is no. it is what is known as an urban myth, commonly used by truck drivers with no friends

The story went that the police would check the tickets and work out your average speed and fine you accordingly.

It cannot be done, the tickets have normally gone into the bin or at least the machine before you get to the police lurking at the back of peage booths.

Beware of mobile cameras set up in the back of estate cars, these can nick you or at least radio through to the 2 Gendarmes on BMW bikes further up the road.

Most stories about the French police are made up by thick drivers who swear at the Gendarmes and call them frogs etc. they do understand English

I've been nicked in France whilst in the car before, one car with a radar and another car up the road to pull me in whilst on an autoroute.

Also been done in Austria whilst on the bike by an unmarked car on some country roads, luckily it was wet and I was cold so I was going easy.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by gazza

Is there any truth in the rumour that whilst travelling on toll roads in france the system automatically times you from toll booth to toll booth and if you have been speeding the police are informed and stop you as you pull away after paying the toll?

yes there is truth in this. As my best friend is a resident and her husband a trucker, they warned us of it before we went last year. Although, toll booths can be very far apart, miles and miles in fact- so you could for instance pull over for a stop at a station for a long pee and a cup of tea, several times along your way- thus allowing your time to be levelled out if you have been hammering it a little. The speed restrictions are far better over there than here, but, much as that is, its far better not to take the p11sh, as the gendarmes don't take sh11t off no-one.

And yes she has had first hand experience of this, in the car. They are both bikers too, so always happy to give advice to anyone who maybe over there.

[STRAMASHER]

Urban myth.

Do you think any French would use the autotoutes if it was true? They ALL drive at 100-110mph on them!

Originally Posted by STRAMASHER

Urban myth.

Do you think any French would use the autotoutes if it was true? They ALL drive at 100-110mph on them!

+1

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by STRAMASHER

Urban myth.

Do you think any French would use the autotoutes if it was true? They ALL drive at 100-110mph on them!

Are you French?? or a resident. what you don't know is that they have a jungle drum system, that keeps themselves one step ahead of gendarme. ever wondered how drunk french drive around without getting caught??
well thats because they drive home on the '4 gram road'. Don't know what that is? well i do....lol

Having worked in France for some years I have witnessed the 'urban myth' of peage speeding the Gendarmes usually pick you out at the peage before you pay they also have the right to retreive ticket from the kiosk anyway.In most cases it is English plated vehicles that are targetted.Particularily near the channel ports. The ticket has the time/place of entry on it.Yes the French do travel at 100-110 mph but this tolerated to some extent.Except in the rain when speeding is clamped down on.