version française

“You British always have to be different – you just can't do things like everyone else!” I have heard this remark so often now it has become annoying, especially as the immediate example given is that we drive on the wrong side of the road! The last time someone said that to me I couldn't help retaliating, pointing out how many things are different on French roads, compared to the rest of Europe (or at least those parts that I have visited).

Before driving in France, apart from the obvious fact of driving on the right hand side, there are a few points that are worth knowing if you don't want any unpleasant surprises.

1. Firstly, it is worth remembering that French roads are statistically twice as dangerous as British ones. You are twice as likely to be killed on a French road – so adapt your driving style accordingly!
In my opinion there are various reasons for the disastrous road safety record of French roads (described recently by the French President Jacques Chirac as “Le scandale de la sécurité routière” - the scandal of road safety), though it is difficult to prove which are the main causes:
> road signalling seems to be very poor – there is generally only one set of traffic lights at junctions, making them easier to miss than in Britain; there is little or no use of cats-eyes to mark lanes, making visibility difficult by night, especially in rain; there are generally no road markings at junctions, either to indicate where you need to stop, or what course to follow when moving to a different part of the road; roundabouts are also poorly indicated – generally with only one signpost and no “Reduce speed now” warning signs
> Dangerous driving is another cause that is frequently cited, and which I can confirm from my own experience: drivers often overtake in dangerous situations, leaving no room for oncoming traffic, which has to slow down or die! When going around blind corners, always be ready to meet someone coming straight towards you on your side of the road! Also, when on the motorway always be ready for cars to overtake you on the inside lane – and even to zig-zag around you rather than wait for you to move over. There is little or no respect for driving distances between cars, and with the best of intentions it is very hard to keep your distance from the car ahead as cars will inevitably move into any gaps that are left... I find that the only solution is to adapt my own driving speed so that I can stop with little or no notice, and of course to move into the slow lane whenever possible.

2. Secondly, there are certain differences in the highway code in France that you need to be aware of:

> The road signs are generally the same, though there are some signs that don't exist in the UK – for example beware of the famous (infamous) “priorité à droite” (black X in a red triangle): this means that the road that joins your road has priority and you have to give way to traffic, even if it is a small side street and you are on the main road! These junctions tend to be in built up areas but there is no general rule. For a full list with images of these signs (with explanations in French) visit: www.permis-enligne.com/n/code.php?=SID and click on signalisation

> The speed limits are different: on motorways the maximum speed limit is 130 km/h (about 80 mph); on dual carriageways or roads where the lanes are separated by a barrier the maximum limit is 100 km/h (about 60 mph), on main roads in non-build up areas the limit is 90 km/h (about 55 mph), and in build-up areas the maximum limit is 50 km/h (about 30 mph). There are exceptions: some town and villages have limits of 40 / 45 km/h, and in rain or fog the statutory limit is also reduced. For a very useful chart visit: www.permis-enligne.com

3. When driving in France you must always carry with you your driving documents (ID, licence, insurance) as you can be fined on-the-spot if you fail to produce them.

4. Traffic lights will take you by surprise at first: they go straight from red to green! Also don't take offence too quickly if the car behind hoots you for not starting as soon as the lights change: this seems to be an acceptable practice here, and need not be intended as rude.

5. The enforcement of traffic regulations seems to vary from region to region: ask any French person – as I have done on many occasions – and they will confirm that in the South of France the traffic regulations are very often flouted. One friend who left our region (Alsace), where the police are very present and effective, to live at Perpignan, told us that he never starts immediately when the traffic lights have turned green: there are generally at least two more cars that cross once the lights have turned red! Starting too soon would inevitably lead to a dreadful accident! As it happens he is a surgeon in the trauma unit of the city hospital, and he is never short of work thanks to the very healthy number of road accidents!

Life in France:

> moving to France
> finding accommodation
> finding a job
> driving in France
> staying in touch: receiving English TV and radio in France
> learning French
> getting married in France
> becoming a French citizen
> my own experience

expat directory:

> Join the expat directory
> Consult the expat directory

Comments may also be sent by email to: webmaster@gofrench.com

Home  |  Contact  |  Legal information  |  Join us  |  Links