This was emailed to me by a PR company and I thought it made some interesting reading....
- Just 26% say hi-viz jackets required
- Only 1 in 7 know about headlamp deflectors
- 76% don’t mention need to carry breathalyser
31 July 2018 - We may make around 12 million trips to France each year but UK motorists are surprisingly ignorant of French driving laws, new research has found.
When asked to name the items you are required to carry inside your car, over half of drivers polled (56%) couldn’t think of ANY – despite having driven to Europe recently.
Only a quarter (26%) mentioned you have to carry a high viz jacket for each occupant of the car. A third (34%) were aware of the requirement for a warning triangle, but just 24% mentioned the need to carry an alcohol breathalyser. The figure for spare bulbs was a mere 15%.
The poll by AlcoSense breathalysers found drivers were just as ignorant when it comes to what a UK-registered car must have on its exterior.
Three fifths (60%) didn’t know at all. Only a third (33%) mentioned the need for a GB sticker (or GB symbol within the number-plate), and just 14% thought of headlamp beam deflectors to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
When specifically asked if a breathalyser must be carried in the car, less than half (48%) said yes.
When told this is mandatory under French law, only 45% thought it needed to meet any criteria at all. Just 10% were able to state that it has to be an approved type: NF-approved (the French version of the British Standard Kite Mark).
Unsurprisingly, only a third carried a NF-approved breathalyser in their car the last time they drove in France.
“British drivers are risking the safety of themselves and other road users by not carrying the correct equipment, let alone the hefty fines that are imposed for not complying with French law,” comments Hunter Abbott, MD of AlcoSense.
“We only polled motorists who had driven their own car to Europe in the past two years, so we were shocked by the general lack of awareness”.
British drivers are no better informed when it comes to required documentation. Only 42% believed you had to carry proof of ownership (V5/logbook).
Just 45% were aware of the need to have your MOT certificate (if the car is over three years old) - with a similar figure (44%) for insurance documents.
Less than a fifth of respondents (17%) were able to correctly state the drink drive limit in France – which is 25 micrograms of alcohol per 100 mL of breath.
And only the same number (17%) were aware that the limit is lower if you passed your test less than three years ago (10 micrograms of alcohol per 100mL of breath).
Respondents were also asked whether a number of statements were correct. Just a fifth (19%) agreed that you cannot listen to excessively loud music when driving, and only half thought that you cannot eat or apply make up – but none of these acts are permitted on French roads.
Nearly a third (31%) agreed that you can use a hands-free headset. In fact, the use of all headsets and headphones is banned.
And three quarters of the sample were unaware that, if you require glasses for driving, you must also carry a spare pair.
Low awareness of emission zones
Some French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Grenoble are designated low emission zones, where the most polluting vehicles are either banned or charged an access fee.
Only a quarter of British motorists (27%) thought that specific action was required when driving in these cities.
But, when even those drivers were asked what that action was, two-thirds didn’t have a clue. Just 28% thought some sort of ‘sticker’ was needed.
French law states that a clean air sticker, called a Crit’Air vignette, must be displayed to identify what emissions your vehicle produces. They cost about €3 – but failure to have one on your windscreen could result in a fine of €68.
AlcoSense polled 750 UK motorists who had driven to Europe in their own car in the past two years.
- Just 26% say hi-viz jackets required
- Only 1 in 7 know about headlamp deflectors
- 76% don’t mention need to carry breathalyser
31 July 2018 - We may make around 12 million trips to France each year but UK motorists are surprisingly ignorant of French driving laws, new research has found.
When asked to name the items you are required to carry inside your car, over half of drivers polled (56%) couldn’t think of ANY – despite having driven to Europe recently.
Only a quarter (26%) mentioned you have to carry a high viz jacket for each occupant of the car. A third (34%) were aware of the requirement for a warning triangle, but just 24% mentioned the need to carry an alcohol breathalyser. The figure for spare bulbs was a mere 15%.
The poll by AlcoSense breathalysers found drivers were just as ignorant when it comes to what a UK-registered car must have on its exterior.
Three fifths (60%) didn’t know at all. Only a third (33%) mentioned the need for a GB sticker (or GB symbol within the number-plate), and just 14% thought of headlamp beam deflectors to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
When specifically asked if a breathalyser must be carried in the car, less than half (48%) said yes.
When told this is mandatory under French law, only 45% thought it needed to meet any criteria at all. Just 10% were able to state that it has to be an approved type: NF-approved (the French version of the British Standard Kite Mark).
Unsurprisingly, only a third carried a NF-approved breathalyser in their car the last time they drove in France.
“British drivers are risking the safety of themselves and other road users by not carrying the correct equipment, let alone the hefty fines that are imposed for not complying with French law,” comments Hunter Abbott, MD of AlcoSense.
“We only polled motorists who had driven their own car to Europe in the past two years, so we were shocked by the general lack of awareness”.
British drivers are no better informed when it comes to required documentation. Only 42% believed you had to carry proof of ownership (V5/logbook).
Just 45% were aware of the need to have your MOT certificate (if the car is over three years old) - with a similar figure (44%) for insurance documents.
Less than a fifth of respondents (17%) were able to correctly state the drink drive limit in France – which is 25 micrograms of alcohol per 100 mL of breath.
And only the same number (17%) were aware that the limit is lower if you passed your test less than three years ago (10 micrograms of alcohol per 100mL of breath).
Respondents were also asked whether a number of statements were correct. Just a fifth (19%) agreed that you cannot listen to excessively loud music when driving, and only half thought that you cannot eat or apply make up – but none of these acts are permitted on French roads.
Nearly a third (31%) agreed that you can use a hands-free headset. In fact, the use of all headsets and headphones is banned.
And three quarters of the sample were unaware that, if you require glasses for driving, you must also carry a spare pair.
Low awareness of emission zones
Some French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Grenoble are designated low emission zones, where the most polluting vehicles are either banned or charged an access fee.
Only a quarter of British motorists (27%) thought that specific action was required when driving in these cities.
But, when even those drivers were asked what that action was, two-thirds didn’t have a clue. Just 28% thought some sort of ‘sticker’ was needed.
French law states that a clean air sticker, called a Crit’Air vignette, must be displayed to identify what emissions your vehicle produces. They cost about €3 – but failure to have one on your windscreen could result in a fine of €68.
AlcoSense polled 750 UK motorists who had driven to Europe in their own car in the past two years.
If it ain't broke..... Don't fix it!
Thought done away with breath test you didn't need them anymore I do have them was informed done away with continental vans don't need headlight deflectors as long as can twist headlamps to meet the requirements like on carthago deffless bursteners alot people don't no can adjust them
Breathalyser law is still in place but not enforced I believe as it was unworkable due to expiry dates on the kits and having to carry 2 all the time... (use one then you're illegal until you buy another and so on) 
The survey was commissioned by a breathalyser manufacturer so you can see why they'd like to keep it going....
Headlights depend on your vehicle. As you say some are adjustable and some produce a flat beam anyway.
The survey was commissioned by a breathalyser manufacturer so you can see why they'd like to keep it going....
Headlights depend on your vehicle. As you say some are adjustable and some produce a flat beam anyway.
If it ain't broke..... Don't fix it!
Unfortunately the British have a reputation for thinking that they are above any other countries laws and no need to observe them ... this has mainly been fueled by the package tourist industry where the resorts speak English and have British pubs ... so the good old British tourist can get rat arsed and be very obnoxious ...
The info on the PR document shows they are not even up to speed as the need to carry the breathalyser is no longer the case
See check list as to current fines
https://www.drive-france.com/checklist/
The info on the PR document shows they are not even up to speed as the need to carry the breathalyser is no longer the case
See check list as to current fines
https://www.drive-france.com/checklist/
Kathy and Max dog
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment to animals.”
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment to animals.”
My father in law who has had his house in France for 25 years would be one of the ignorant.
He even says you don't need to worry about speed cameras because he has never had a ticket through the post!
However, one thing that does stand out to me, MOT certificate.
I bought and RAC Europe driving bag kit thingy.
In the literature leaflet it says you need logbook and insurance but doesn't even mention the MOT certificate under the French section!
I haven't put my beam reflectors on either, the father in law has never fitted them in 25 years, but they are in the glove box ready should it be dark or I get pulled up.
He even says you don't need to worry about speed cameras because he has never had a ticket through the post!
However, one thing that does stand out to me, MOT certificate.
I bought and RAC Europe driving bag kit thingy.
In the literature leaflet it says you need logbook and insurance but doesn't even mention the MOT certificate under the French section!
I haven't put my beam reflectors on either, the father in law has never fitted them in 25 years, but they are in the glove box ready should it be dark or I get pulled up.
Rolling on and enjoying life on the road
I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure even the French don't know what the French laws are. I have lived here for over 21 years. I used to have a driving job where I would drive more than 130.000 Kilometers a year and was stopped loads of time for routine checks. Never been asked for any of the above . I was once asked to show my driving log book where you log the hours driven. I didn't know the permitted driving hours had changed to a max of 12 hours for a 3.5 ton vehicle. I had been driving 18 hour stints with break for 45 minutes every four hours. The Gendarme who was a traffic control officer told me " You can't do these hours, if you get caught you will be in trouble " I'm still wondering to this day, If I get caught by who?
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Having spent most of my working life driving in Europe,as a professional driver,I had to know the driving regulations for every country I travelled though,ignorance of the law will not stop you getting a spot fine when stopped by traffic officers or police.Many countries have "good Samaritan" ruling which requires you to carry first aid kit and fire extinguisher,winter tyres and snow chains are a requirement in Germany and many Nordic countries,and increasing number of countries are implementing road tolls,either by peage motorways of road tax stickers,as well as emission schemes requiring windscreen stickers with the relevant vehicle emission.On the French speed cameras,I don't know if its widely known,but a few years back,the UK government decided to pass on owners details to other European countries on request,so the days of playing the"how many French cameras can I light up"are sadly numbered until next March[the only benefit I can see so far from Brexit!]A little prior research and not thinking you can wave your passport and drive on can save you a lot of greif and expence when travelling
I have been sticking to the new 80km speed limit on the D roads.
I had a guy beep his horn several times gesturing me to speed up.
Despite the fact I'm doing the max speed I'm allowed!
We've just done 1000 miles, mostly on 80kph roads and what a drag! Very easy to let your speed creep up so resorted to using cruise control where suitable.
Loads of drivers ignoring the new limits and apparently speed cameras have flashed 3 times more than normal since July! Good money earner that
If it ain't broke..... Don't fix it!
Loads of drivers ignoring the new limits and apparently speed cameras have flashed 3 times more than normal since July! Good money earner that
Don't let our stupid government hear you say that ... we will all be tootling around at 30mph on A ans B roads ... you know they are so desperate for money they cannot even fill the pot holes in
Kathy and Max dog
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment to animals.”
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment to animals.”
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We found recently that the road signs have not been lowered to 80 and still show 100. Tomtom update knows its 80.
I also thought that having speed camera notification device was illegal in France.
I just roll the headlamp adjuster down. Do carry the jackets and two triangles.
I also thought that having speed camera notification device was illegal in France.
I just roll the headlamp adjuster down. Do carry the jackets and two triangles.
Has freedom to travel
We were out and around for May and July in France and noticed that an awful lot of the speed cameras had been "neutralised", or vandalised depending on your point of view. Also with signage I'm given to understand that a number of departments have taken the attitude that if the government wants to introduce this limit they should pay for the new signs - very French way round an unpopular law.
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