Haven't seen anybody else post this: From 1 July 2008 it will also be obligatory to carry in all vehicles a warning triangle and reflective jacket for use in case of a breakdown. Anyone found to not be complying with this requirement could be subject to a fine of 90 euros.
www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/t...2
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who would want to go to France?
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I trust all the car rental companies will provide one with rented vehicles.
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Jacket to be accessible from inside car-not in boot.
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"I trust all the car rental companies will provide one with rented vehicles"
Best to check when signing for the car - in Spain the local aviation authority - AENA - has exempted car rental companies based at airports from providing equipment such as bulbs, triangles, waistcoats, allegedly; although the more reputable ones do provide them.
Source - Report in local English language newspaper
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who would want to go to France?
You English and your crazy kind of humour!
;-)
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I've seen conflicting info - some say one reflective jacket, elsewhere 1 per person?
and hummer1? congratulations on such a useful and informative first post :-)
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One per person in Italy and Spain certainly.
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No surprise there; Spain and Italy introduced this two or three years ago. A triangle was always obligatory in France if a car didn't have hazard lights, though a correctly placed triangle is just as visible, and can be placed before a bend to give much earlier warning. Note that the hi viz jacket must be kept inside the passenger compartment for easy access.
French police being such sticklers (especially around the cash cows known as summer tourists), it's also worth remembering to display nationality badge, either the EU style registration plate or the large (Vienna Convention, no less!) white oval one. The Gendarmes have been known to fine motorists for failing to display the latter, which is still theoretically a legal requirement.
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"French police being such sticklers (especially around the cash cows known as summer tourists),"
Yep, I've noticed that, first trip to France in 1963, been almost every year since and been stopped once - 2 years ago by a young trainee Gendarmesse. They thought we were French (Xantia car). Resulted in a very pleasant chat and apology from senior Gendarme, who asked if we minded him looking in car to see how it was different from LHD Xantia, then he waved us out after stopping traffic on the road!
Anyway, flourescent jackets available in our local Poundstore (guess how much?) and Wilkos (99p) and a couple of weeks ago in Auchan Boulogne bargain buckets for 1 euro - just stick one in each door pocket.
As for Hummer and "who would want to go to France?" Can't be bothered arguing. Tit.
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Echo Phil's comment.
First trip to France in 1973 in Dad's Hillman Hunter. Encountered police then as we collided with Peugeot 404 after driving off on the left having decided a hotel was pricey and dirty. No action taken.
No further contact apart from an officer who's "flagging down" hand signals were abruptly aborted when he saw our UK plate.
Thought the requirement to carry an FJ had been in force since c2005 and have been borrowing them from the household cycle kit ever since.
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As for Hummer (snip)
Do you *have* to PW? I don't think this ought to be a forum for dishing out abuse.
P.S. Please consider that as a rhetorical question.
Edited by FotheringtonThomas on 19/06/2008 at 23:35
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I'm off to France in August, so I would like to know if it's one jacket per person or just one per vehicle.
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According to
www.preventionroutiere.asso.fr/default.aspx
"le Comité interministériel de la sécurité routière (CISR), réuni le 13 février 2008, a décidé de "rendre obligatoire la présence, dans tout véhicule en circulation, d?un gilet de sécurité et d?un triangle de pré-signalisation pour renforcer la sécurité des usagers de la route en situation d'arrêt d'urgence (sauf pour les cycles*, les deux-roues motorisés, les véhicules à trois roues et quadricycles à moteur non-carrossés)."
I understand this to mean ONE jacket per vehicle - but then at a quid or euro each why not get one for each passenger also?
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Phil W
Yes, I read that as one per car, but it also requires one warning triangle per car, with no mention of 'Only if the car doesn't have hazard flashers' as has been indicated above.
JS
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JS,
I think the problem with this is that if you have an electrical problem that prevents the hazard lights from working, you will still need a warning triangle. I have also gathered that if you have a caravan or trailer on the back, you need separate triangles for car and trailer.
To be honest, taking into account how cheap triangles and hi-viz vests are these days compared to crossing the channel/fuel/accommodation etc (triangles also available in our local pound shop) one might as well go for overkill and get a vest for everyone in the car and a couple of triangles.
Regards
Phil
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a couple of triangles.
I agree with that. A couple or three, one would be easily missed, especially in the dark.
Can those flashing beacon typr torches still be had?
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Oddly enough FT, they had them next to the reflective jackets in Auchan Boulogne and I almost bought one - about a fiver - but not sure of quality though. (Can you tell how long SWMBO spent shoping in Auchan - hell of a lot longer than it took me to pick up a dozen boxes of wine!! - so I had to browse the motoring section for ages - why are windscreen wipes still half UK price??)
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Seems to me, then, that a reflective v e s t or w a i s t c o a t is required. Not a reflective j a c k e t - that is quite a different animal - as worn by U.K. traffic police, for example.
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PhilW wrote: 'As for Hummer and "who would want to go to France?" Can't be bothered arguing. Tit.'
Mmm... not sure who's the bigger 'tit', as you put it.
The guy who makes a one line quip, or the guy who can't see it?
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Give it ten years and reflective jackets will be compulsory everytime you step outside the front door. Driving test examiners have been compelled to wear them for the last five years, because they have to stand on the pavement watching the candidate (who is in the road and doesn't have to wear one ) point out various things under the bonnet.
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"Mmm... not sure who's the bigger 'tit', as you put it.
The guy who makes a one line quip, or the guy who can't see it? "
OK, ifitdon'thelpatall - where's the hint that it's a quip rather than serious statement?
Sorry to be so thick.
But anyway, to try to be "if ithelps" to the serious question above, here is what AA website says about reflective jackets.
"Stop Press
From the 1stJuly 2008 it will be compulsory for all French registered vehicles to have a reflective
safety jacket on board which must me kept inside the vehicle, it will also be compulsory to carry
a warning triangle. The authorities are yet to confirm whether this requirement will apply to
foreign registered vehicles, theAA.com will be updated as soon as confirmation is received.
May 2008"
Edited by PhilW on 19/06/2008 at 23:06
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deleted at authors request.
Edited by Webmaster on 20/06/2008 at 00:19
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Phil W wrote: '- where's the hint that it's a quip rather than serious statement?'
What else could it be?
Consider the following statement, although you may not agree with it.
'Some people take themselves a bit too seriously.'
By the way, if Hummer has actually bought a Hummer, then he probably is what you called him.
Yours in mammaries,
ifithelps.
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"'Some people take themselves a bit too seriously.'
You've proved your point.
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think you've strayed well off the subject!!
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Sorry fox83 and FT (above) have reported my own posts as "offensive" and to be deleted.
(which it has been)
Was initially trying to be helpful by quoting French and AA surces of info. Overreacted - apologies.
Phil
Edited by Webmaster on 20/06/2008 at 00:19
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is it compulsory to take the suicidal walk of death along with the warning triangle and place it 50 metres behind your broken down vehicle on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway?
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warning triangle (...) 50 metres behind your broken down vehicle on the hard shoulder
Only 55 yards? Doesn't seem enough to me... is that really the recommended distance?
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Wonder if it applies to motorcycles??
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No, it doesn't apply to motorcycles - in the brackets it says "sauf...les deux-roues motorisées" ie "except motorised two-wheelers"
HOWEVER, that won't stop 'les flics' from trying to fine bikers for not having them (they are famous for enforcing laws that don't exist over here!), so I carry a copy of the appropriate extract of law in my pocket to brandish at them when they try it on!!
Even the stupid press over here are saying "135? fine for motorists, but only 90? fine for motorcyclists", thus reinforcing the impression that bikers are required to carry them, even though the law clearly states the OPPOSITE!!
DUH!>>
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>>so I carry a copy of the appropriate extract of law in my pocket to brandish at them when they try it on!!
Isn't it easier to carry a yellow jacket? Might also be useful at some point too.
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"is it compulsory to take the suicidal walk of death along with the warning triangle and place it 50 metres behind your broken down vehicle on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway?"
Well, I suppose you could sit in your car on the hard shoulder without a warning triangle? Or walk along behind the crash barrier for 100 metres and place a triangle?
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Mapmaker - wake up at the back!
I refer the honourable gentleman to my earlier post on Thursday 24th April 2008.
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::grovels::
::makes noises of abject apology::
::what lies at the bottom of the sea and shakes? A nervous wreck. That's me now::
;)
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Well I suppose you could sit in your car on the hard shoulder without a warning triangle? Or walk along behind the crash barrier for 100 metres and place a triangle?
what crash barrier?
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IIRC been mandatory on the autoroute for a few years - ONE for each person who gets out of the car.
Must have it on WHEN you get out, not put it on after . . .
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Yes, that's how I understand it - they must be kept inside the car, not the boot.
As I don't plan to let the inside of my car look like it's being used by council roadmen - a la Italy and Spain - mine are now under the front seats.
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I've just come back from France and bought a couple in LeClerc on my way home! (I'm a regular visitor, so it's not quite as daft as it looks.)
The problem I found was that after refusing to pay £7.99 each at Dover on my way out, I just couldn't find any in SW France or at Autoroute services at all last week. The shops had A4 printed sheets in the windows apologising for no stock.
I think the non-entrepreneurial french missed a trick here too - when they eventually become compulsory in the UK I bet they'll carry an advertising logo.
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so breaking down on lets say the A47 near oakham ? wheres your crash barriers?
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Hi, i travel through france and spain regularly( weekly) and the new law is this:
FRANCE COMPULSORY ITEMS.
HIGH VIS VEST THAT MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO DRIVER
SPARE BULB SET
WARNING TRIANGLE
GB STICKER(if you have a reg plate with GBin the euro stars then this is ok)
headlamp beam adjusters(stickers available from good motor shops or AA, or on board ferry)
ADVISED ITEMS BUT NOT COMPULSORY
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
FIRST AID KIT
HIGH VIS VEST FOR EACH PASSENGER CARRIED IN VEHICLE
SPAIN COMPULSORY ITEMS
HIGH VIS VEST FOR EVERY OCCUPANT OF VEHICLE
2 WARNING TRIANGLES
SPARE BULB SET
BEAM ADJUSTERS
GB STICKER
PLUS ADVISED ITEMS AS ABOVE.
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What law says "spare bulbs" compulsory? Everything I have seen merely says it is illegal to drive with a bulb out.
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Reported in local papers in Spain that it's likely the spare bulbs requirement is going to be dropped - because modern cars make it too difficult for owners to change the bulbs. Also the requirement to carry proof of payment for insurance will be dropped as police now have ready access to insurers' database (although a lot of Lloyds underwriters used by expats are not included).
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Delayed until 1st October, according to the AA:
www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_Fran...f
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I am just back from France, during which, I had (unfortunately) occasion to spend a couple of hours at side of autoroute with Police / Fire / Ambulance etc. Although I had hi-vis vest in car, it was last thing on my mind at the time and at no point did any of the emergency services ask me to put one on, did I have one etc.
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Loads of reasons to go to France! It isn't England for a start! Good wine and food, cheap accomodation, cheap fuel, plenty of Michelin one * restaurants that won't break the bank. Get your car serviced over there if it is PSA and you can spare a day. Fill up the car in Calais with acceptable wine and beer and enjoy the relatively uncrowded roads. Ticks most of the boxes for me!
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Spot on AS - and don't forget the weather, and campsites which are half the price and twice as good as here.
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Cheap fuel? I had an argument with a colleague last week and proved to him that petrol prices in France are only about 4-5% less than ours. He was claiming that our petrol costs at least double those anywhere else. With the euro so strong at the moment the differential is shrinking further.
Just think - if we'd joined the euro our interest rates would be lower and people with mortgages would be better off every month. You don't hear UKIP mentioning that...
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Father inlaw is over at the mo, he spends about 8 months in the Algarve and the rest in South of France. Petrol in France and Portugal around 1.45 euro so that would make it slightlty more expensive than my local shell garage @ £1.16.
Interestinglty, he actually drives to Spain to fill up as he is within 30 minute drive of the Portugal, Spain border and there its 1.20 Euro, now that is cheaper !!!!
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Just think - if we'd joined the euro our interest rates would be lower and people with mortgages would be better off every month. You don't hear UKIP mentioning that...
>>
... for the simple reason that it's untrue.
FWIW I was in
France last week and petrol costs the same as over here now now, give or take a penny or two. Diesel, however, is considerably cheaper. Can you (or the oil companies ) explain that one please?
I agree with HJ's comments on reflective jackets BTW, easily obtainable and a cheap way to save your life.
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Absolutely - one per person is common sense. They're cheaper on board a P & O ferry than at the harbour shop at Dover, if like us you forgot to get them in advance.
Edited by Avant on 12/07/2008 at 21:47
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They're cheaper on board a P & O ferry....
but even cheaper in the supermarkets! About ?1 at the last count.
pmh
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Just read in the MOS, drivers in France must carry in the vehicle a flourescent yellow jacket. Liable to a £100 on the spot fine for non comliance. You've been warned!
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It just goes to show what you miss if you don't pay attention. Thanks Screwloose.
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I thought I saw somewhere else that the jacket requirement had been deferred to 1st Oct? I am going in August so I bought to at some workwear warehouse and have them in the back seat sidepockets. BTW don't forget requirement to take at least your V5 with you and maybe Insurance and MOT (if applicable). Strange people across the Channel - they burn lamb and eat cheese! Wouldn't work for me!
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"Strange people across the Channel"
Bloomin' right they are!
They continually build new motorways, on which there are rest areas every 10 km or so with grassy areas and picnic tables, then every 20 km or so they have services where you can get decent fresh food at decent prices instead of Muckdonalds after driving on a motorway where you have a speed limit of 80mph and virtually no traffic jams. What is more, they have (as yet) relatively few speed cameras, provide plenty of parking in cities at cheap prices and often in August it is free in cities and is also free at lunchtimes - and have you ever seen a traffic warden?. You can even go right to the sea front and find somewhere to park for about 20p an hour. Waiters, waitresses and shop assistants are invariably polite and helpful (except for the odd Parisian), diesel is still 15/20p a litre cheaper than here, a packet of cigars is a quarter the price here and you can get decent wine without ever paying more than £2.50 a bottle. You can dine in restaurants for half the price here and when you come out, the streets aren't full of drunken, puking yobs shrieking and shouting and being aggressive. It's carp over the channel, absolutely disgraceful that they shoulld expect you to spend a few quid on reflective jackets and carry your V5 and licence - but it works for me.
Edited by PhilW on 13/07/2008 at 23:18
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I'm with you PhilW. The "wouldn't work for me" reference was to burning lamb but eating cheese! The reason I am going there is for good roads, good food, keen prices, the down side being the stroppy flics but I am actually going on to Brugge!
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"Brugge"
Beautiful town - sit on that main square with a Belgian beer and watch the world go by - and don't forget all the chocolatiers!
Enjoy!
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Brugge - don't bother with the chocolate museum. I didn't, but the other half, who is normally easily impressed, said it was a complete waste of time and money
There is a brewery which was quite interesting, and a pony and trap ride is useful in the early part of your break to get your bearings. And on a motoring note, the Belgian Ferrari Owners Club had a meet in the square on the Sunday that we were there - I doubt this is every week, but it was certainly impressive.
And back to the fluourescent jackets - one country (Germany maybe?) says they must be carried in the car (i.e. not the boot)
Edited by smokie on 14/07/2008 at 00:32
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Given the uncertainty over exactly how this regulation should be interpreted - how many jackets, whether it/they can be in the boot, etc - police and gendarmes over the summer will be checking cars and wagging fingers if there is no jacket or triangle, but not issuing tickets until 1st October.
At least that's this says:
www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/vos-infos/presse/com...l
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Saw a couple of breakdowns while heading south on the A10 Tours-Poitiers earlier today. In each case the occupants of the (French-registered) cars were all out on the hard shoulder and wearing their hi-viz jackets, so someone is taking notice...
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Jackets: £1.99 Lidl, next week's offer.
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I read somewhere that it has to meet a "standard" mark of some sort - mine are from Poundland, btw!
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mine are from Poundland
Mine came from work when we changed our company name and logo and the old ones were redudant.
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Now compulsory anywhere, not just the autoroutes.
www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/infos-ref/vehicule/i...l
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Just back from three weeks in Brittany. AFAIK, the requirement is for one hi-vis vest per car, and you are required to wear it if you get out of the car on a motorway or dual carriageway.
The locals keep the police happy by draping theirs over the back of the driver's seat, so its clearly visible. Two gendarmes in a patrol car outside Quimper nearly got whiplash scanning our car for one (stored in the door pocket) in slow-moving traffic.
Or maybe they were fascinated by the sight of an Irish car, as many other locals were judging by the frequency with which they stopped, stared, and in one case then went around the front end of the car to check it really did say IRL on that reg plate too :-)
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Required but you can't be fined yet! As of today,still not officially promulgated in French law.
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Fines started on October 1, as I understand.
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They were expected to start but,as I said,not till the law is officially published.
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Currently on eBay for £1.89 with free p&p, until 31st Oct.
tinyurl.com/3q7t6u
Item# 250302521106
Fully approved to European Standard EN471 CLASS 2
(Just bought one for cycling.)
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