Driving in France

French tightening up their rules. You must carry a reflective vest marked CE and a warning triangle marked E 27R. The vest must be worn by the driver when the vehicle is stopped on the road in an emergency (ie always, since it's already illegal, as far as I know, to stop on the carriageway of any French road outside towns) and the triangle must be placed at least 30m behind the vehicle. Hazard lights must also be used on every occasion.
They are going to be enforcing it from 1st October. Source is Le site de la Sécurité Routière - Gilet et triangle de présignalisation

aint seen anyfink about CE marking - am hoping my "SWEB" ones are ok .

dont furget a full spare light set, headlight dip adjusters and the ubiquitious BG sticker.

New?? I was last in France in 2005 and those rules were in place then.

wot - the reflecive vest? it werent in 2006.

Certainly was. I remember having to nick one from work specially for me hols.

wot i love is this section......

How to use safety jacket:
Le gilet de sécurité, conforme à la réglementation en vigueur, devra être porté par le conducteur avant de sortir du véhicule, lequel est immobilisé sur la chaussée ou ses abords à la suite d'un arrêt d'urgence. The safety jacket, in accordance with existing regulations, must be worn by the driver before leaving the vehicle, which was stopped on the road or its vicinity in response to an emergency stop.

Ce gilet doit être conforme à la directive 89/686/CEE du Conseil du 21 décembre 1989 concernant le rapprochement des législations des Etats membres relatives aux EPI (équipements de protection individuelle). This vest must be in accordance with Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the laws of the Member States relating to PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Cette conformité est attestée par le marquage CE apposé sur le gilet et par la présence d'une notice d'instruction. This compliance is certified by the CE mark affixed to the vest and the presence of an instruction manual.

The Mad Hat Man said:

- am hoping my "SWEB" ones are ok .

.

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Don't the SWEB ones have an instruction manual then????

dont be daft - yu dont think sparkies can read - do ya?

Actually, the law states that you need either a warning triangle OR a number of special Hi-Vis mini traffic cones which you can only get in France specifically for breakdowns/accidents.

Don't forget that the French have on-the-spot fines for most traffic offences - if you don't have the cash, they'll take you to a cash machine. It's handy to remember where you were stopped because it takes ages if you walk in the wrong direction.

Also, if you're speeding excessively (unlikely in a LR, I know) they can confiscate your vehicle on the spot. That means just what it says, and you will not get it back. Ever.

Was told by the RAC this mornin' that ye need two triangles, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, hi-vis vests for every person in the car and a full set of bulbs as well.

bustersbus said:

Was told by the RAC this mornin' that ye need two triangles, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, hi-vis vests for every person in the car and a full set of bulbs as well.

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dunt forget the kitchen sink!

bustersbus said:

Was told by the RAC this mornin' that ye need two triangles, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, hi-vis vests for every person in the car and a full set of bulbs as well.

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That's strange. According to the RAC Travel Guidebook, the only compulsory items in France are a GB plate and beam deflectors.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/library/pdfs/travel_guidebook.pdf

Of course the people who supply these kinds of item might benefit financially if they can flog you some extra stuff.

A HV waistcoat thing, warning triangle and spare bulbs are sensible things to carry all the time anyway.

KTM Gordo said:

That's strange. According to the RAC Travel Guidebook, the only compulsory items in France are a GB plate and beam deflectors.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/library/pdfs/travel_guidebook.pdf

Of course the people who supply these kinds of item might benefit financially if they can flog you some extra stuff.

A HV waistcoat thing, warning triangle and spare bulbs are sensible things to carry all the time anyway.

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That guide book is out of date it is now, not only compulsory to carry an Hi-vis jkt/vest for every occupant but they must be within easy reach of each occupant as they exit the vehicle. Warning triangles have been compulsory in most EU countries for years.

This has a word doc you can download and lists every country and what they require. Compulsory equipment : compulsory equipment for driving in Europe - The AA