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Do French gendarmes have the right to check your GPS for detecting speed cameras?

The strange thing is about satnavs warning of speed camera locations is that a French gendarme only has the right to investigate your GPS if you give permission, so I suggest a firm but polite Non. The main reason for speeding fines in France is Brits not knowing that a red/black/white village name sign means a 50kph speed limit, or 30mph. No speed limit sign is needed.

Asked on 21 July 2012 by NA, via email

Answered by Honest John
That's a good point and fellow journos on car launches have been caught out by unposted village limits. It’s the same pretty much all over Europe. No speed limit signs for towns and villages unless it's 30kmh or less.
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