French regs for driving in mountainous areas.

Hullflyer
Hullflyer Forum Participant Posts: 10
edited October 2021 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi I have seen there are new regs effected from Nov - March with regards to driving in mountainous areas.

In the past if it snowed in france or Spain you waited for the snowplough to pass and then proceed behind it. Now I believe you have to carry snow chains/ socks for your drive wheels.

Is there any way of find out when you have to fit them, ie., if snow is forecast, it starts to snow etc., in some countries you are fined for damaging roads with chains or studded tyres.

Regards 

Brian.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2021 #2
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #3

    Hullflyer, is it new?  For many years there has been a special blue pictorial road sign (a wheel with chain fitted) showing where and when chains are required in snowy weather in mountain areas of France. Details, photo and info on line.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2021 #4

    My understanding is that the requirement only applies to commercial vehicles of Category N2 and N3 (those with a GVW of 3.5 tonnes or more) and it only applies to the regions marked blue in the following map:

    https://www.aisoe.at/aisoe2016/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/map_frankreich.png

    Furthermore, the need to carry snow chains is signposted:

    https://www.aisoe.at/aisoe2016/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/panneaux_b58__b59.png

     

     

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2021 #5

    ps: The difference between the new signs and the blue one that has existed for years is that the blue sign only requires snow chains to be fitted in snowy conditions, the new ones require show chains to be carried between November and March in the respective regions marked in the map, regardless of whether snow is actually present when entering these regions or not.

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