France - Route nationale speed reductions
On another forum I was surprised that people seemed to be unaware of the planned reduction in speed limits on French national roads.
I can confirm that there was an official announcement that the speed limit is to be brought down from 90 kph to 80 kph on 'national' roads, but that autoroute speed limits will remain the same. The changes apply from the 1st July 2018. We were told this in a 'verbal bulletin' from our deputy Maire.
Details here (use Google translate to read in English)
There was also discussion about new 'camouflaged' speed cameras, and I would say there are no changes to speed cameras in our area - there were none and there still are none. Thinking about it though, driving back through France (on free autoroutes or N roads) we did see a couple of police vans in laybys with gendarmes pointing speed cameras out of a lift up window in the rear of the vehicle. We don't speed so these things tend to not register.
I can't find any articles relating to changes to speed cameras, although this may be related to the changes which took place a few years ago when many more cameras were introduced.
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Good to get this type of info. I have been travelling through France for many years now and never had any problems with the Police, you hear so many horror stories about France and the Police, but I find no problem there. On the other hand I have been fined for speeding with the caravan in both Germany and Switzerland over the past few years.In Germany there could have been a problem with payment but I had the €90 cash so payed and went on my way. Switzerland was a different problem, they had set up a caravan/motor home speed trap and inspection area on a motorway picnic area and either booked you for speeding, which I was, and/or gave the car/caravan/motor home a full inspection and fined you for every infringement. The young German couple in front of me, in a old Hymermoble were fined for nearly every part of their unit. At least the Swiss police had set up a visa payment point for us to pay at.
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I've read about that a few months ago, can't remember on which forum though. I did respond to it at the time by saying that our MH is >3.5t and we have been limited to 80kph on 'national' roads anyway. A lot of French HGVs don't like it though, judging by the hornblowing and tailgating we've had on occasions. On one occasion we got seriously cut up by a lorry overtaking us. So what do you do? Drive at 90 and risk being fined? It'll be interesting to see whether HGVs will abide by the new speed limit. Although it really isn't, or shouldn't, be a new limit, as they should be keeping to it already!
I can see no mention anywhere in the document of a lower limit for vehicles >3.5t, so assume it's for every vehicle.
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Some useful additional information someone has posted on another forum:
Current limits for solo cars are :-
130 km/h Motorways (110 kph in wet weather)
110 km/h Dual Carriageways (100 kph in wet weather)
90 km/h A roads (80 kph in wet weather)
50 km/h Built up areas
From 1st July 2018:-
130 km/h Motorways (110 kph in wet weather)
110 km/h Dual Carriageways (100 kph in wet weather)
80 km/h A roads (70 kph in wet weather?) That's 50mph (43mph in wet?)
50 km/h Built up areas
50mph may feel slow enough on some single carriageways but 43mph when wet will undoubtedly feel worse, particularly the long straight poplar lined roads of France - however this 43mph wet weather limit, while likely, is yet to be confirmed.
These latest speed limit reductions follow the lower speed limits imposed on larger caravan outfits from 130km/h to 90km/h on French motorways and dual carriageways a few years back. I am not aware of any reduced limits specifically for lighter towing vehicles (under 3500kgs total weight?) on dual carriageways and motorways, other than when posted locally (usually for downhill sections of road).
As far as I can ascertain the on-the-spot fine for breaking the speed limit is €68 (£60) but if the case goes to court this could rise to €750 (£650) but as far as I know penalty points cannot be added to your licence. Remember too that because of the EU cross-border enforcement directive you can be traced and forced to pay after returning to the UK and I suspect this situation may well remain after the UK leaves the EU.
For those who can understand French here is the link to the announcement.https://www.gouvernement.fr/partage/9887-discours-du-premier-ministre-comite-interministeriel-de-la-securite-routiere
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We're currently in France; having skimmed through the above document I agree that speeding seems to be on the increase. Going through towns/villages at 50kph seems to irritate most motorists behind. Those in front obviously exceed that limit, as they often seem to be gaining a lot of distance between us and them! Sometimes there is a speed indicator, where they slow down, only to speed up again immediately afterwards.
Another safety measure addressed is those for pedestrians. Even when trying to cross on a zebra crossing, some motorists almost seem to be affronted at having to stop for you.
We drove through part of the L'Yonne, La Nievre and Drome and did notice quite a few 80kph signs there; according to the document they were part of a trial. We did wonder about it at the time, and thought it maybe in readiness for 1.7.18! So that explains it.
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I imagine these changes are to do with the appalling fatal accident rate in France? This in itself is odd as roads in France generally are excellent with good sight lines. Perhaps its the strange driving habits like sitting close behind the vehicle in front or when overtaking not accelerating to get by quickly? Having said that the new limits are not really any different, for towers certainly, than most other European countries.
David
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Perhaps it's to encourage greater autoroute usage with a consequent increase in income for the franchises.
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50 mph for towing in UK other than dual carriageways and motorways.
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"Mind you, in Cornwall you'll be lucky to get anywhere near 40, never mind 50."
And that’s on the back lanes!
Btw, it’s not 60 for all vehicles.
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NutsyH as you are a caravanner I am surprised that you appear unaware of the towing speeds in the UK. Unless lower speed indicated they are 50mph on single carriageway roads and 60mph on dual carriageway AND motorways. But try telling that to Transit truckman towing a roller or trafficlight trailer or Range Rover owners towing double wheel horseboxes.
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