Capote deux

[Itchy]

Nice one East coast, that spread sheet is exactly what i was looking for and should be made a stick, have a greeny

[nevsey]

just got this from Paddy Tyson at MAG

Although the new Hi-viz rules in France aren't due to be enforced until Jan next year, the necessity to carry a disposable breathalyser will be live from 1st July this year.
Alcohol is a factor in more French accidents than speed is, but generally involves those extreme offenders who are 2 or 3 times over the limit. The French limit is 50mg per 100ml of blood, as opposed to our UK 80mg level, so it is remarkably easy to be over the limit with perhaps one drink, dependant on circumstance.
Obviously not drinking at all before riding, is the best practise, but now you will be penalised regardless of alcohol consumption, but rather the carrying of something to test whether or not you are over the limit! Even T-Totallers are going to fall foul of this one.
The fine will be 11 Euros so is clearly just an income stream as compliance can be checked in association with any other offence or stop and check situation. The units themselves can be bought for about 2 Euros and will be available at ports and on ferries.
Bear in mind, many of these new laws affecting motoring in France may be in jeopardy anyway, depending on the results of the elections that will be running in April. The opposition are aware just how unpopular they are and may well overthrow them before they are enacted.
If you are planning a trip this summer, please remember that as things stand, compulsory headlight use exists, as does carrying a set of spare bulbs and you should probably ride on the right.... The 4 reflective stickers on your helmet is a rule that has been in for about 10 years, but I've never heard of a case of the police enforcing it for non-French Nationals.

[Selous]

I see the box now, didn't realise you could attach a PDF

great info thanks

[Selous]

compulsory headlight use exists, as does carrying a set of spare bulbs and you should probably ride on the right.

Just had a look at the AA list East Coast PDF no memtion of compulsory carrying a set of spare bulbs? is this right for bikes.

Im asking as I didnt last year :whistle: , no biggie if I carry them as I do have spare at home could pack them just asking so we all know what is fact & fiction.

[East Coast]

compulsory headlight use exists, as does carrying a set of spare bulbs and you should probably ride on the right.

Just had a look at the AA list East Coast PDF no memtion of compulsory carrying a set of spare bulbs? is this right for bikes.

Im asking as I didnt last year :whistle: , no biggie if I carry them as I do have spare at home could pack them just asking so we all know what is fact & fiction.

common sense, riding at night and your headlamp goes what do you do? it is an offence to ride with faulty bulbs in france yes, buy you DO not need to carry them!

[Selous]

cheers that's what I fought.

so why did paddy tyson say so? hay ho

[nevsey]

I think he said it because it is compulsory for bikes over 125cc to have their lights on at all times, so i suppose if your light does go, supposedly you can't ride it.

[scouse]

I was asked if I was carrying bulbs and had to show them in 2010 at a roadside check just after Dunkirk... and was breathalysed... and all my docs checked... at which point I realised I only had the paper counterpart licence with me. Feck paying bribes or fines, just became effusively polite and walked away without any hassle... same every time I get stopped. The French flics always seem to fall for my smiling polite bumbling Englishman stereotype

[davsato]

re; the headlights, i cant find anything online that says anything other than E11 marked lights are legal in UK, mine are marked E9(spain) but its a dead flat beam and it sails through MoTs. same for my mates v-strom. usually H4 bulbs are turned 15degs in their housing either left or right to cant the beam but mine are level. so i dont know whats going on there.

ive always thought a 1st aid kit, spare bulbs and fuses were a requirement in france, but i go to spain a lot too so i hedge my bets with a 'universal' kit with a hi-viz vest

[-Ralph-]

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

http://www.motoservices.com/vitesse/reg ... -radar.htm

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 (www.cabinet-de-passy.fr) :
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.