Dave Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Rob, my mate who just went on the cannonball, got fined 1000 Euro for doing 180mph in a 60 he reckons he was lucky to have his license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Its all changing soon CG - there's talk of French police being able to administer UK points in the very near future Yep, it’s a very odd experience getting stopped on the Autoroute.. I know how they got me. I was even aware that they like to use (back in 98 at least) little white unmarked cars with onboard radar (they do it a lot in Spain). So when I came up behind 2 clios at 120, one overtaking the other, both white, both with little funny CB aerials on the boot I thought to myself ‘Now what are the chances of there being TWO unmarked cars here? Zero!’ and flashed them as they were blocking the road. It was when I looked over as I went past and raised my eyebrows at his blocking of the road that I noticed the chap looked worryingly like a French policeman. Merde! A few mins passed, the clios were long gone in the mirror by now and I was wondering if I’d imagined it. Then this odd motorbike appeared in front me and was just hovering there, annoying me. I thought about just overtaking him and putting him behind me but thought better of it. Eventually the chap started to wave at me – couldn’t see any obvious police markings but then laid eyes on his gun. He gestured to follow him and he led me off the road and into a ‘Genrarmerie’ and proceeded to officiously park me up in a designated space. We were marched right into the station and sat down in a sort of interview room and a senior-looking ‘Frozzer’ sat down opposite us. At this point I was really starting to be concerned. Seemed like a lot of hassle for issuing a speeding ticket and I was starting to have nightmares about French courts, having the car impounded etc. The Gendarme then handed me a piece of paper (the ticket) and said “174 km/h monsieur” (109mph) and I really did think we were completely screwed. He then said in broken English that it would be 600FF (sounded a lot until I realised it was only £60!) and you can’t imagine the relief. I of course got my cards out, chequebook, everything but the only thing that really helps in that situation is cash. We were about 180km south of Bordeaux so less than 2 hours from Spain and didn’t have much in the way of Francs but somehow managed to make up the fine with various bits of assorted shrapnel, crisps etc I think I showed them some documents and then they led us out – the senior cop took the time to smile, make a sort of ‘hands slowly pushing down’ gesture which I took to mean ‘slow down, take it easy’ and then he said “Its not me, its Chirac’, apologised for fining me and waved us pleasantly on our way. Had to laugh as we pulled out as there was a silver A6 being led in – the very same one I’d just driven a couple of hundred miles in tandem with – they’d pulled off for fuel just before I got stopped and must have accelerated right back in the speed trap! The French police were impeccably polite I thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Rob, my mate who just went on the cannonball, got fined 1000 Euro for doing 180mph in a 60 he reckons he was lucky to have his license. [/ QUOTE ] And his car! If you're getting stopped for big speeds in France (technically 40 km/h over the limit is the 'big fine zone' of EUR750 and an instant ban in France - at their discretion) then they are, I believe, able to seize the car if there isn't someone else in the car insured and fit to drive it away!! Le Mans Hooning Tip # 251 Always carry an insured passenger!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 He did have a passanger who was insured.. maybe that's how they got away with also. Also the fact they were driving a lambo gallardo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Watch out within 50k of calais. I've driven across the whole of France at speed on a number of occasions and not seen a single police car/trap until the last few miles to Calais that only the Brits drive [/ QUOTE ] In July I passed 2 radar cameras on the autoroute south of Bordeaux - so there are some in the rest of France! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Do you get points or just a fine? [/ QUOTE ] Just a fine. I think they're bringing in points transference (to UK licences) at some point Also just remembered - they have Gatsos (UK style yellow box) too - my cousin's French husband got caught by one while we were there. Not sure what happens if you have a foreign licence (what happens here in the UK?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Le Mans Hooning Tip # 251 Always carry an insured passenger!! [/ QUOTE ] From my experience, I believe it also helps if she's a blonde - the police did seem to be extra charming ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Hmm, my experience was back in '98 so my co pilot was a Mousy blonde I would say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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