New driving laws from tomorrow

Fine & Points deduction

Be under the influence of drugs: 4,500€ fine + 6 points
Alcohol limits are 0.5g/l but have been reduced to 0.2g/l for new drivers (who passed their test less than 3 years ago): 4,500€ fine + 6 points
Watching a screen which is not a driving aid (e.g. watching a DVD): 1500€ fine + 3 points
Manipulating your phone (e.g. texting): 135€ fine + 3 points
Using headphones (in ear or external): 135€ fine + 3 points
(Note that this applies to all road users including cyclists, and also includes using a single earphone.)
Not wearing your seatbelt: 135€ fine + 3 points
Smoking with a minor on board (this regulation still has to be passed by Parliament but is expected to be passed): 68€ fine


Fine only (at Officer's discretion)

Eating a sandwich
Searching in the glove box
Listening to loud music that will interfere with you hearing the normal road noises (and at night, with the window open)
Applying make-up (even in a traffic-jam)

No mention of dogs on drivers laps

Continuous horn blowing at weddings

No indicating on roundabouts

The National Sport of overtaking a Brit car

whatever the cost.

Using Bumpers to assist parking in a tight spot.

Now your list will encompass the whole of the French Nation of drivers.

Mostly fair enough, but eating a sandwich? Can one eat a chocolate bar, or anything else but a sandwich?
And the definition of "loud" music? Some of the stuff coming out of cars cannot in any way be called music, just monotonous chanting in a mock west indian accent to a very low frequency beat.....not showing our age here are we??!!

Higgy, what's your interpretation of indicating at roundabouts? We've had several opinions on this and nobody seems to agree.

Not sure how the French are taught by their driving instructors.

From what I have seen over the many, many years of visiting and driving in France their whole system is alien to me and certain parts dangerous.

No hang back position prior to overtaking, pulling straight in front of
you thereby not leaving a safe braking distance.

Roundabouts, well the Brits do not get it right and in my opinion neither do
the French, but it all depends on how they are taught and what is the norm
on their roads.  (when in Rome).

Whichever country you are in indicate your intentions to other road users and always give a breakaway signal.

Our motto on the police was take every other driver as an idiot who may do
something dangerous and you will possibly be safe.

No accidents whilst Police Driving and non caused behind, but numerous
broadsides from people trying to evade capture.

Lastly my advice on French roundabouts is wait until it is safe as they do not indicate, stay in the outside lane and drive all the way in that lane until they go off, without signals.

If you want to train up for French roads drive in Turkey now that is fun.



you

As a motorcyclist Mr T always rode as if everyone on the road was out to get him, consequently managing 25 years of accident free riding, only giving up when he realised he wouldn't bounce so easily IF an accident happened.
You forgot the lack of inhibition to undertake, especially on motorways and at speed. This may happen to us because we leave a reasonable distance from the vehicle in front, thus giving the moron behind the idea that that gap is reserved especially for him to slot in too.
Have you driven in UK lately? We reckon the overtaking on minor roads there is worse than France.

We live in Rural Northumberland so have to overtake the Sunday drivers and 80 + year old drivers every day. Our Sunday drivers are on the roads
from Monday to Saturday plus the Sundays.

If the French drove up here they would be redder in the face than normal
and an Angina attack would be commonplace.

I get my own back by going out in my 1953 Morris Minor Series 11 and
hog the road and do not care, rotflmao.

Too fast, too close , overtake on blinde corners ,and never signal ,says it all for me  .Just treat every driver like a complete idiot and you just might survive .

Not wearing your seatbelt: 135€ fine + 3 points

Remember this applies to all passengers in your car. The driver gets the fine - I know from experience


Paul