The Gendarmes do not have any right to enter your car and look at your GPS or phone. Only the Douane can do that with special permission... and you don't mess with them feckers

The GPS speed cams are not illegal, though they are now called danger zones or some such nonsense.
The radar DETECTORS, ie. a device that actively finds a camera is illegal.
The Kyote type of units are legal and still being sold.

Hi-viz tabbards are not required to be worn OR carried by bikes over 125cc.

Some sort of reflective/hi-viz armband will be required from next Jan... unless we change their minds.

Rego/insurance/license - you are required to carry these.

It's so much fun living here

Cheers,
John

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

John. Thanks for clarifying "from the horses mouth" if you don't object to the expression

All things are possible.

The French moto fraternity had a spectacular protest success many years back by getting Autoroute tolls reduced from 100% of the car rate to about 55%.

My Autoroute toll protest continues.
At manned toll booths - I stop - switch off engine - remove visor - (and helmet, switch off i-pod and remove ear phones or ear plugs, if feeling particularly bloody minded and there are long queues) - smile and go through usual French introductory pleasantries - remove gloves - unzip jacket - unzip overtrouser top - find money in inner trouser pocket - carefully count it out - carefully check change and receipt - put remaining money, change and receipt in inner trouser pocket - zip up over trousers - zip up jacket - replace ear phones/plugs and helmet (if previously removed) - put on gloves - offer my thanks and farewells - adjust visor - start engine - carefully move forward.

It could be slightly faster at the automatic ticket issue machines on entrance - but here I often managed to thwart them by hugging the kerb and avoiding the under road vehicle sensors and have to press the Assistance button and wait for an English speaker - expressing total confusion as to why the machine will not issue a ticket/raise the barrier!
If raining it takes double the time because of wet cold gloves and hands

Hooting from behind of course prompts dismounting (and all that that entails) enquiring looks and searches as to what may be wrong - something loose on the bike? Flat tyre?

Unless I am in a hurry that is, otherwise I enjoy every minute of the long process as a break in the monotony before and after the toll point.

All in the vain hope that one day, if enough motos did the same they might 'get the p r i c k of us' low revenue sources and in the interests of traffic flow (and quicker cash collection) they let solos go free through a dedicated narrow gap.

Over 6 days around Bol d'Or weekend they used to exempt motos on all toll Autoroutes all over France by having a narrow special lane - now (last time there at that time) sadly only on the adjoining autoroutes and for a far shorter period. It was originally felt better for safety and noise reasons to encourage the huge numbers of motos from all over Europe to use Autoroutes instead of other roads through towns and villages - but no longer it seems.

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Top Man

+1

John

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

I'm not going to translate word for word, but these are the highlights from an interview with a motoring solicitor:

La r�glementation r�gissant les radars That's a linky to my source, decide for yourself if you believe it.

Un décret de la sécurité routière N°2012-3 publié au Journal Officiel du 4 janvier 2012 vient modifier l'article R413-15 du code de la route qui prohibait déjà les détecteurs de radar en interdisant dorénavant la possession, le transport et l'utilisation des « avertisseurs de radars ». Ce décret aggrave les sanctions visant l'usage ou la possession de tels appareils en faisant passer le nombre de retrait de points du permis de conduire de deux à 6. Indiquons également que la contravention pour une telle infraction est de 1500 euros d’amende.
De plus cette infraction peut entrainer des peines complémentaires telles : la suspension, pour une durée de trois ans au plus du permis de conduire, la confiscation du véhicule, lorsque le dispositif qui a servi ou était destiné à commettre l'infraction est placé, adapté ou appliqué sur un véhicule. Précisons enfin la confiscation du dispositif qui a servi ou était destiné à commettre l'infraction.

This is discussing the new law surrounding radar detectors, or more accurately a modification to the existing law. These continue to be illegal to be carried, but the endorsement increases from 2 penalty points to 6 and the fine will be EUR1500. It can also lead to additional punishment such as a 3 year ban, confiscation of the vehicle, or removal of equipment installed in a vehicle.

Les GPS et autres smartphones sont-ils illégaux ?
Réponse de Maître FARAJALLAH, Avocat au Barreau de Paris (Avocat Permis de Conduire - Cabinet de passy - Défense du Permis annulé, permis suspendu par un avocat automobile) :
Les GPS (Tom Tom et autres) et smartphones indiquant la présence de radars sont aussi concernés par ce nouveau texte : qu’ils soient dans la boîte à gants ou en évidence, ils sont devenus illégaux dès lors qu’ils permettent d’indiquer la présence de radars fixes ou mobiles. Il est donc nécessaire de les mettre à jour ou de désactiver la fonction permettant de connaître la présence des radars fixes ou mobiles sous peine de verbalisation.
Le Ministre de l’intérieur a annoncé qu’une « tolérance pédagogique » serait d’abord mise en place par les forces de l’ordre. La durée de cette tolérance n’a pas été fixée.

GPS such as TomTom or smartphones are also covered by the new law. It is illegal to carry these, either on display or in the glovebox, they are illegal if they indicate the presence of fixed or mobile speed cameras. It is necessary to carry out a software update, or deactivate the function allowing you to detect fixed or mobile speed cameras otherwise you will be fined. The will be a tolerance in place where police will educate, but the duration of this tolerance has not been set.


En pratique, la fouille dans le smartphone ou le GPS par les forces de l’ordre est-elle possible ?
Dans la pratique, les forces de l’ordre n’ont pas le droit de fouiller le téléphone ou le GPS à la recherche de l’infraction. Ce n’est que dans le cas d’une infraction flagrante ou après autorisation judiciaire, qu’une telle possibilité de fouille est possible.
Ainsi, en cas de contrôle routier, les forces de l’ordre ne pourront fouiller l’appareil et se lancer dans son apprentissage à la recherche du délit sans l’assentiment du conducteur.
En revanche, rouler avec une carte des radars imprimée n’a rien d’illégal …

In practice, police will not have the right to search your GPS or smartphone device to determine an infraction. Only in the case of a flagrant offence or following a judicial authorisation, may they be searched. The police cannot search the device without the consent of the driver. Paper maps printed with camera locations are not illegal.

So continually looking down at an unfolded map spread across ones lap is OK.
Keeping your eyes on the road but listening for a beep from the Sat Nav is not.

Once again proof it is all about money, not road safety.


Thanks for the translation.

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Just have to carry on relying on the saving grace --
The French hate Le Flick and almost all vehicles coming toward you that have passed a police radar speed system will be flashing their headlight(s) like crazy; there is no mistaking it!!
I am told that this is itself illegal, but that doesn't stop the French motorist.

I call it a speed "system" because Le Flick always seem to be there in large numbers - more than one vehicle, quite a few policemen, and women sometimes, standing about looking fairly bored but managing to pass the time of day.
Their radar detector is often pretty prominent also; a big thing on a tripod. Unfortunately, they are reputed to have a range of a few km so the oncoming drivers/riders will be flashing their lights for quite a long way along the highway.

Hope this helps, just a little.

Edit; of course, this does not work at all on the motorways

__________________
Dave

But other motorists don't bother to flash to warn you of fixed camera sites - which is what is all most Sat Navs can tell you about.
(back to square one!)

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The HUBB won't change their minds, it needs political lobbying of a serious nature.
So send some membership money here:
Motorcycle Action Group

Don't mess about, join up right now. Lobbying of any sort is excruciatingly expensive. (That's on purpose, so that hardly anyone can afford to do it).


Don't know if you know this Tony, but a MAG campaign followed exactly this method at the Dartford Crossing some years ago. Sometimes with quite a few bikes in line. It was quite fun.
We added the extra ingredients of dropping coins, only having a 20 pound note, dropping gloves, and any other creative thing you could think of.

Most importantly, it worked, Dartford was made free. It also worked, if my memory is correct, on the Severn Bridge and a tunnel up north, maybe the Tyne.

But someone has to organise these things, or get the people organised, otherwise the machine of government continues unhindered.

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

The "we" is the French bikers, organised by the FFMC - [Fédération Française des Motards en Colère] as the laws pertain to France.

More demos are organised for this weekend. The 24th in the department towns - Limoges, Le Mans etc and on Sunday the 25th its the turn of Paris so if you fancy a ride this weekend, pick one from the list: Manifs moto des 24 et 25 mars 2012 : les lieux de rendez-vous - Moto Mag : actu, essais moto et scooter, occasions

Always good fun and make the demos in the UK look a bit tame

John

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

Yep, They know how to do these things properly over in France.

I don't remember what the year was, but a few MAG members went over there to support a Paris protest against a new insurance regime that would seriously disadvantage riders. Something to do with 'no-fault insurance' I think.

We were efficiently marshalled up at Bois de Vincennes, don't know how many thousands of us, then commenced a very slow circuit of the Peripherique. So slow, we stopped for about 30 minutes every now and again, until the whole Peripherique was blocked.

At one stoppage we abandoned the bikes on the roadway, walked about 100 mtrs away and all lay down on the tarmac.
We lay there long enough for all the helicopter news crews to get all the footage they wanted.
Imagine that happening in the North Circular or M25!

I think around the last stoppage, we were all handed a balloon each, told to blow it up, walk to the bridge just ahead and tie them to the parapet. Thousands of balloons for another spectacular photo set-piece.
And no cars moved anywhere.

Great times - maybe you remember the year?

Can't do 25th March, am doing this: http://www.wasp.bwf-ivv.org.uk/Stumble_poster_2012.pdf

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

John's said it all. I would just add that a breath alyser will be compulsory in (on) ALL motorised vehicles from (I think) June this year. You need to carry 1 with you or on the vehicle. The police / gendarmes will spot check this item.
However, they cannot oblige you to use it, if you only have one, obliging you to use it would oblige you to break the law which they cannot do.

Don't buy a uk breathalyser test cos the french will insist the test is stamped NF, & calibrated to the french limit which is 0,50g / litre air (is the uk still 0,80g?) they cost about 1€50 a peice in a pharmacy.

triangle & first aid kit & bulb kit & his vis etc are NOT obligatory on bikes (yet)

ride safe

MooN

oh yeah, I have just seen an article here from a lawyer stating that the police / gendarmerie have absolutely no right to enter your vehicle or manipulate yoyr gps or telephone or remove them from the vehicle, your car is considered private property & they need a "commission rogatoire" from a judge to enter private property (or an invitation from the owner...). The Douanes (customs) have the right to do just about whatever they please, don't mess about with them & don't EVER lie to them, it just ain't worth it.

(I spent 2 hours at 2 am on the side of the A26 having my company van stripped out by them about 8 months ago & the pressure they put on you to admit you've been smoking dope or have done so in the past is enormous & at that time in the morning VERY intimidating!)

"Don't buy a uk breathalyser test cos the french will insist the test is stamped NF, & calibrated to the french limit which is 0,50g / litre air (is the uk still 0,80g?) they cost about 1€50 a peice in a pharmacy."

Are the 'NF' stamped item available in all Pharmacies? I've never felt the need buy one before! I've not drunk alcohol for 11 Years now, so it could be an interesting conversation with the Frech Police if stopped!

Just as an aside, I read recently (don't know how true) that the French are / might be having to display 20% LARGER number plates - although it won't apply to non residents, I don't think.

Expensive more like

Only applies to new registrations from... I forget the date... . Will not affect existing plates or foreign regos.
The new plate still wont be as big as the UK one
Strange to say the in Germany, you can now have a smaller plate on your bike.

The breathalysers can be bought at supermarkets here, Super-U for instance, for about a Euro 50. They will have an NF rating.
You also need TWO! to be legal.
DON'T buy the ones the AA/RAC will try and flog you in Dover/Folkstone... Bound to be expensive.

Cheers,
John

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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

I live in France, and it is certainly illegal to carry a gps with speed camera functions. I have not immobilised my Zumo yet, as I don't see how they can catch you. The fine has gone up to E1500, with 6 points. I haven't seen any breathalysers for sale here yet, a friend bought one at Halfords UK for about £60 which is pricy, but can be used again and again.

What is the underlying logic to this concept of carrying a breathalyser with you, in any type of vehicle in France?
Is it so that you can breathalyse yourself if you are not sure if you have had too much to drink, or is the idea that the police will use your breathalyser kit if and when they pull you over?

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Dave