Speed cameras France

[briwy]

The French are now starting to install average speed cameras.

First ones have gone in on the N57 which is a popular route if going from northern France into Switzerland or into the Alps

http://saratlas.free.fr/index.php?page= ... 57&lang=en

More to come, and remember, it's now illegal to have any form of camera warning system in France.

[Bogmonster40]

Thank you briwy - I am just on the site at the moment as I am trying to plan my drive to see my brother in Divonne-les-bains, looking at the link you posted it looks like i have to take this road - not that i am in anyway a speed freak, quite the opposite as i enjoy the scenery.....
Can you offer me any advice as to me driving from Caerphilly South Wales to Divonne-les-bains ???

[briwy]

hi bogmonster

These links may help, you can plot a route with them and they will give you some idea of the tolls as well if you use the motorways. They can be programmed to plot routes NOT using motorways as well which keeps the cost down. Downside is that it can take a lot longer as some of the French N roads (like our A roads) are just single carriageway and pass through a lot of villages. Less boring though if you're not in a rush.
You should be able to do it in a day from Calais using the motorways or a take a couple of days using ordinary roads and use one of the usually free (or cheap) municipal sites on the way.
Try to get down to Annecy as well, it's a beautiful town and lake.

http://about-france.com/travel.htm

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.f ... ?langue=en

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

http://www.abelard.org/france/motorway- ... hp#network

http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/routes.htm

Hope this helps, have a good trip.

BTW don't forget that if you use the Swiss motorways you have to get a "vignette". These can be had at the border crossings and I think ours cost about 28Euros which lasts a year.

[Bogmonster40]

BTW don't forget that if you use the Swiss motorways you have to get a "vignette". These can be had at the border crossings and I think ours cost about 28Euros which lasts a year.[/quote]

What on earth is this ??? I just googled it and it said it was something to do with writing on a vine leaf

[g8dhe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette_%28road_tax%29

[Bogmonster40]

Thank you briwy for your very in-depth reply.

[mikexgough]

Now the Germans are going to follow(not sure when yet) the French and Swiss.... and they include smartphone navigation apps too.... yes I know they are supposed to be covered too by Monsieur le Frog but they wont be as thorough as the Germans or Swiss.....

Just beware out there or turn them off.....

[Bogmonster40]

When they pulled me for "Allegedly speeding" they never even checked my satnav to see if the speed camera detection was turned off. he asked me to bring it with me to his van but never even looked at it.

[Velocette]

When they pulled me for "Allegedly speeding" they never even checked my satnav to see if the speed camera detection was turned off. he asked me to bring it with me to his van but never even looked at it.

i never even thought about that this year although I do remember reading about it somewhere. My Tom Tom saved me a few times although I do try and stay with in 10% of the limit most of the time so I din't have slow down that much.

[Poohbear]

Why do people worry so much about foreign speed cameras? Unless they actually pull you over at the time and impose a fixed penalty then you're off the hook. They are hardly going to chase a speeding ticket to a person who doesn't live in the country now are they? As for average speed cameras you can just ignore them because they are completely unmanned so threre's no risk of a police car pulling you over a bit further down the road. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a speed merchant but I do drive and ride a motorcycle in Europe and I certainly don't worry about speed cameras. I can honestly say on my last trip to Europe I only saw 2 police cars in 10 days, neither of these was on a motorway.

[Velocette]

Why do people worry so much about foreign speed cameras? Unless they actually pull you over at the time and impose a fixed penalty then you're off the hook. They are hardly going to chase a speeding ticket to a person who doesn't live in the country now are they? As for average speed cameras you can just ignore them because they are completely unmanned so threre's no risk of a police car pulling you over a bit further down the road. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a speed merchant but I do drive and ride a motorcycle in Europe and I certainly don't worry about speed cameras. I can honestly say on my last trip to Europe I only saw 2 police cars in 10 days, neither of these was on a motorway.

Most of them are front facing so they aren't going to catch a bike AFAIK.

[Poohbear]

[quote="Velocette]Most of them are front facing so they aren't going to catch a bike AFAIK.[/quote]

I know, I made lots of them flash!

[Velocette]

In all seriousness I have been reading some other forums and one chap ignored the fine and eight months later went to France and got fined e500 at the port and escorted to a cash dispenser!

[Mcrdave]

Just been reading this with interest. Have just come back from a trip to Lake Geneva on the border of Switzerland on the very last leg of the trip down a fairly quick road I got flashed by what looked like a speed camera hidden in a wooden hut! Not exactly easy to spot as it was on a bend and I had enough to think about at the time. Am a bit concerned about the fine, I'm back home now in Manchester, should I expect a letter in the post?

cheers guys!

[Poohbear]

You can stop worrying. Switzerland aren't even in the EU so you won't be getting a fine. It's difficult enough (damn near impossible) for other EU countries to impose fines on foreigners but a non EU country doesn't have any avenue to chase it through.