Anyone driving to France, new rules from 1/7/15

Eating or drinking while driving, applying make up, excessively loud music, reading a map or wearing any type of headphone or ear piece are now illegal with an on the spot fine of about €90 if you are caught.
Under existing rules;
SatNavs with speed camera locations are also illegal.
You must also carry a minimum of 2 alco test kits, a warning triangle, two if towing, a set of spare bulbs and spare glasses if you need them for driving plus reflective jackets for all occupants.
Smoking is now banned in cars with kids under 12.
Drive safe

Modern sat navs don't have speed camera locations for France but they do signal 'dangerous road sections'.

brianconwy said:

Modern sat navs don't have speed camera locations for France but they do signal 'dangerous road sections'.

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Maybe, but there are a lot available that do as do some mapping apps like via Michelin.

It is also an offence to raise a firearm if in the company of a German. You must drop it immediately and run away awaiting the arrival of other nationalities to pull you out of the ****.

:bounce:

Loud music? That's me screwed then!

I agree with the headphones thing, does it apply to Bluetooth headsets?

As soon as people start adhering to these laws, France will be fine.

You 100% on the carrying breatalysers.

Read last year while on the ferry that this rule had been revoked.

Still have mine in the van mind.

Also the french would do well just to stay on their own side of road before imposing silly rules.

Technically, the breathalyser rule is in effect, but the fine for non-compliance has been suspended. I've been to France twice since and never bothered with them. Same with the silly reflective helmet stickers for bikes- no one I know has used them.

Spare bulbs are a nice idea, but for some newer cars it's impossible to replace a bulb at the roadside, so pointless. For older cars with sealed beam lights, would that mean carting around a spare headlight as well?

Thanks for this, I'm on my way on Saturday:5bdriving:

Marmaduke said:

Thanks for this, I'm on my way on Saturday:5bdriving:

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Just do as the French do. Ignore! The police have no powers to check your sat nav and, as mentioned above, dangerous zones flag up just in time for you to spot the camera anyway.
Breathalyser's, just another money making opportunity for the ferry companies. Not mentioned above though is the need to carry another pair of specs to compliment the ones you are wearing.
All in all, as the song says, don't worry be happy.
It's just about the best place in tbe world to do your driving.

What if you have LED lights? Can't be carting around £600 worth of lights in a Defender!

To be honest, some of the new rules about reading a map while driving etc are pretty sensible. If you're looking at a map, you're not looking where you're going. If you get lost, pull over and stop. If you have a passenger with you, make them the navigator. Sat navs talk to you for a good reason.

so bluetooth handsfree earbuds are illegal? seems daft

FlyingPete said:

To be honest, some of the new rules about reading a map while driving etc are pretty sensible. If you're looking at a map, you're not looking where you're going. If you get lost, pull over and stop. If you have a passenger with you, make them the navigator. Sat navs talk to you for a good reason.

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If I let my wife navigate we'd be guaranteed to get lost.

bankz5152 said:

What if you have LED lights? Can't be carting around £600 worth of lights in a Defender!

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It only states spare bulbs should be carried. Doesn't mention for which car! :flame:

trax said:

so bluetooth handsfree earbuds are illegal? seems daft

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Most things do. That's why stupid rules are ignored by the French.

Can we ban my French mates taking the **** coz us Brits continually bend over and take it up the trumper from the government we elect to look after us.

The frogs don't like it up em.

I like that about them.

james6546 said:

Loud music? That's me screwed then!

I agree with the headphones thing, does it apply to Bluetooth headsets?

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Yes.

top drive said:

You 100% on the carrying breatalysers.

Read last year while on the ferry that this rule had been revoked.

Still have mine in the van mind.

Also the french would do well just to stay on their own side of road before imposing silly rules.

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The legislation was suspended for a period due to a lot of the test kits being faulty, it's back in force now.

West Slope Rover said:

As soon as people start adhering to these laws, France will be fine.

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It's not aimed at the French, it's aimed at collecting cash from foreigners, especially yanks