speeding in france

paulp · 07-06-2010, 16:48

Hi all

Going around the periphique in Caen the weekend I just overtook a lorry and got flashed by a static camera.

As far as i can tell i only got one flash.

not sure what speed i was doing but generally with the flow of traffic

2 questions

1 what is the likely hood of it being enforced
2 if enforced is it a fine only or points and a fine

ta

paulp

rayf3262 · 07-06-2010, 17:20

I've set off a few on the way down to the south of France,... and not heard a peep.

macabethiel · 07-06-2010, 19:02

It takes time for them to obtain DVLA ownership details, write to owners in the UK who ignore the letters & fines and then when you think its all over the nightmare begins when you go on holiday again.

I have heard of similar 'escapes' only for drivers to be detained a couple of years later when trying to enter or leave the country in question.

Nisstay · 07-06-2010, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by macabethiel

It takes time for them to obtain DVLA ownership details, write to owners in the UK who ignore the letters & fines and then when you think its all over the nightmare begins when you go on holiday again.

I have heard of similar 'escapes' only for drivers to be detained a couple of years later when trying to enter or leave the country in question.

be very careful .... i know that in belgium if you get camera'd and they dont get satisfaction . the next time they apprehend you ....... they crush the car

zippy656 · 07-06-2010, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nisstay

they crush the car

oh how friendly

tezzer · 07-06-2010, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulp

Hi all

Going around the periphique in Caen the weekend I just overtook a lorry and got flashed by a static camera.

As far as i can tell i only got one flash.

not sure what speed i was doing but generally with the flow of traffic

2 questions

1 what is the likely hood of it being enforced
2 if enforced is it a fine only or points and a fine

ta

paulp

just as well they have done away with the guillotine in France Paul, they would be sharpening the blades now, sell the car and go into hidding mate.

CaptLimey · 07-06-2010, 20:18

[QUOTE=paulp;93724]Hi all

Going around the periphique in Caen the weekend I just overtook a lorry and got flashed by a static camera.

As far as i can tell i only got one flash.

not sure what speed i was doing but generally with the flow of traffic

2 questions

1 what is the likely hood of it being enforced
2 if enforced is it a fine only or points and a fine

Hi Paulp

Q1 Highly unlikely, if you were on a UK plated vehicle, its just not worth their trouble but I'm sure someone will have a different experience/opinion.

Q2 If yes, just pay and highly unlikely that you'll get/loose any points.

The DL systems in France and UK are quite different. In France you start with (I think 12 points) and they are removed from your French DL according to whatever infringement you are convicted of. To remove points you have to have a French DL. In the UK, as you know, you are 'awarded' points.

In France if you get caught by a camera they can't prove who was driving so they just send a fixed penalty notice to the registered owner.

If you're caught by a manned radar gun the Gendarme requires that you sign to acknowledge that you were the driver - then, if you live here, they send you a FP notice and require you to change your UK DL for a French DL so they can subtract the requisite number of points.

So don't worry about it unless you get a letter & then just pay. BUT SEND IT BY RECORDED DELIVERY so you have proof!

Regards CL (In France)

paulp · 07-06-2010, 22:39

thanks for the replies

happy to pay the fine if required

but as stated i go to france quite often and do not want to be pulled up later for an unpaid fine

regards paulp

zippy656 · 08-06-2010, 05:48

get a new number plate. nice personal one..

youll not pop up on there system then

lacroupade · 08-06-2010, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulp

Hi all

Going around the periphique in Caen the weekend I just overtook a lorry and got flashed by a static camera.

As far as i can tell i only got one flash.

not sure what speed i was doing but generally with the flow of traffic

2 questions

1 what is the likely hood of it being enforced
2 if enforced is it a fine only or points and a fine

ta

paulp

I set the bloody things off all the time as a matter of principle...theres no reciprocal arrangement at the moment (it will be well publicised when there is!) so you won't get fined, sent documents or anything else.

I have only ever seen them flash the once, even at three-digit speeds.....the other two types you'll see are (i) the "-insert registration- Trop Vite!" gantries that work even in pitch dark and pouring rain (they are just advisory), or (ii) a gendarme in jackboots flagging you down at the toll because you were clocked by a hidden radar that you never even saw about 3-4 kms beforehand....then you ARE f****d.

Leaving today for five weeks in Gascony so will look out for new ones.

PS -its worth having the TomTom France maps as they are now updated for fixed cameras.....radar guns are usually well hidden until its too late.

07-06-2010, 16:48	#1
paulp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: essex Vehicle: nissan mistral 27td Posts: 1,043	speeding in france Hi all Going around the periphique in Caen the weekend I just overtook a lorry and got flashed by a static camera. As far as i can tell i only got one flash. not sure what speed i was doing but generally with the flow of traffic 2 questions 1 what is the likely hood of it being enforced 2 if enforced is it a fine only or points and a fine ta paulp

07-06-2010, 22:39	#8
paulp Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: essex Vehicle: nissan mistral 27td Posts: 1,043	speeding thanks for the replies happy to pay the fine if required but as stated i go to france quite often and do not want to be pulled up later for an unpaid fine regards paulp

07-06-2010, 17:20	#2
rayf3262 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Norfolk, Poringland NR14 Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2002 Posts: 1,549	I've set off a few on the way down to the south of France,... and not heard a peep.

07-06-2010, 19:02	#3
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	It takes time for them to obtain DVLA ownership details, write to owners in the UK who ignore the letters & fines and then when you think its all over the nightmare begins when you go on holiday again. I have heard of similar 'escapes' only for drivers to be detained a couple of years later when trying to enter or leave the country in question.

07-06-2010, 20:18	#7
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	[QUOTE=paulp;93724]Hi all Going around the periphique in Caen the weekend I just overtook a lorry and got flashed by a static camera. As far as i can tell i only got one flash. not sure what speed i was doing but generally with the flow of traffic 2 questions 1 what is the likely hood of it being enforced 2 if enforced is it a fine only or points and a fine Hi Paulp Q1 Highly unlikely, if you were on a UK plated vehicle, its just not worth their trouble but I'm sure someone will have a different experience/opinion. Q2 If yes, just pay and highly unlikely that you'll get/loose any points. The DL systems in France and UK are quite different. In France you start with (I think 12 points) and they are removed from your French DL according to whatever infringement you are convicted of. To remove points you have to have a French DL. In the UK, as you know, you are 'awarded' points. In France if you get caught by a camera they can't prove who was driving so they just send a fixed penalty notice to the registered owner. If you're caught by a manned radar gun the Gendarme requires that you sign to acknowledge that you were the driver - then, if you live here, they send you a FP notice and require you to change your UK DL for a French DL so they can subtract the requisite number of points. So don't worry about it unless you get a letter & then just pay. BUT SEND IT BY RECORDED DELIVERY so you have proof! Regards CL (In France)

08-06-2010, 05:48	#9
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,137	get a new number plate. nice personal one.. youll not pop up on there system then