UK drivers in France ‘stripped’ of driving licences after ‘misreading signs’
Drivers heading abroad from the UK and driving in France face having their licences STRIPPED[1] – for driving at 125mph instead of 125kmph. A UK motorist was caught by French police and said he misread the national speed limit and confused miles with kilometres. He was caught driving on the A26 motorway last week passing through the Aisne region in the north of France, at 202kmh which is 125mph.
The maximum speed limit on French motorways is 130 kmh – or 80mph in the UK. He was arrested while driving a Range Rover by French patrol police who immediately signalled him to pull over. The RAC warns: “France uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other road signs including distance are indicated using kilometres and metres.[2]
“Speed limits are lowered in rain and other adverse weather conditions, while special speed restrictions apply to certain classes of vehicle, including coaches and cars with trailers, so check before travel. There is a minimum speed limit of 80 km/h on motorways for vehicles travelling in the outside lane.” It adds: “Holders of EU driving licences exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licences confiscated on the spot by the police.
French law prohibits drivers from devices capable of detecting speed cameras and warning drivers of their location. “Penalties can include fines of up to EUR1,500 and confiscation of the device and vehicle. This has recently been extended to include GPS-based systems capable of displaying fixed speed camera locations as points of interest.”
The standard fine for breaking the speed limit in France is EUR135, with points added to your licence depending on how much the limit is exceeded by.
Holders of EU driving licences exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licences confiscated on the spot by the police.
References
- ^ face having their licences STRIPPED (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ are indicated using kilometres and metres. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
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