Driving through France

i copy this info from another forum ..it might be of interest

French law now requires that all vehicles carry one warning triangle, and one approved ('EU' marked) reflective waistcoat or jacket for each potential passenger - not just for those currently travelling in the car.

I've not seen that and it's normally plastered all over our local press with signs at the border sometimes, I went over the border twice yesterday and didn't see anything and I'll be doing the same today. If the flics stop me I'll ask them about that.

Where did you see that?

a bmw owner who lives in France posted it on the Club forum

another post on the same forum
"I too checked with the AA and was told one for each passenger.
I then checked with an ex pat friend of mine in France and he confirmed with MF's view that it is one jacket per seating capacity and the driver's one must be accessible to the driver before leaving the car.

An on the spot fine of 130 Euros can be expected if the necessary jackets are not being carried.

I too have now bought another three even though there are only ever going to be two people in the car during our time in France"

The AA still say one reflective jacket per vehicle here - http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_France_Monaco.pdf - updated in January.

Given the likelihood of on-the-spot fines it's worth double-checking though.

Edited 1 time. Last update at 13/05/2009 16:40:56

daved wrote:a bmw owner who lives in France posted it on the Club forum

another post on the same forum

ah.. forums

I've been surprised to discover that some people post things on forums that's not strictly true, surprised if not indeed rocked to my core

I was pretty certain that was untrue so I didn't have any concern about asking the guy lounging around the border, I realised later if I'd been wrong I was asking for a fine

but he confirmed the law had altered since last year and all that was the EU wide thing. The fine for that incidentally isn't 130 € it's "only" 90 €.

They had a leaflet advising that they recommended having two though, I've not but that does sound a good idea so I think I'll get an extra one for our cars.

Hi,

This piece of french legislation has been in for about two years now, but was not advertised outside of france as the money grabbing beaurauctars realised what a money making idea they had come up with....along with the extra speed cameras and police thay now patrol the motorway from Calais, if they stop you for speeding they then ask where is you're Hi-Viz jacket...and wham a double fine.

In thier defence i actually think this is a good idea as when you have broken down or are fixing a flat you are not instantly visable kneeling down or waiting along the hard shoulder for the recovery team and this gives oncoming traffic a better chance of avoiding you....it's just a bit naughty they didn't advertise if to us brits or anyone else.

The bit about all passengers needing one is a suprise as I am sure when the law came out only the driver was required to have one ,I will check this out.

The other things you require by law are a warning triangle ,spare set of bolbs ,snow chains ( in the winter if driving in the alps) and if using you're own car some headlight beam decflectors or beam benders so ou do not dazzle oncoming traffic

Jon.

Jon.

jonG wrote:Hi,

This piece of french legislation has been in for about two years now, but was not advertised outside of france as the money grabbing beaurauctars realised what a money making idea they had come up with....along with the extra speed cameras and police thay now patrol the motorway from Calais, if they stop you for speeding they then ask where is you're Hi-Viz jacket...and wham a double fine.

In thier defence i actually think this is a good idea as when you have broken down or are fixing a flat you are not instantly visable kneeling down or waiting along the hard shoulder for the recovery team and this gives oncoming traffic a better chance of avoiding you....it's just a bit naughty they didn't advertise if to us brits or anyone else.

The bit about all passengers needing one is a suprise as I am sure when the law came out only the driver was required to have one ,I will check this out. The other things you require by law are a warning triangle ,spare set of bolbs ,snow chains ( in the winter if driving in the alps) and if using you're own car some headlight beam decflectors or beam benders so ou do not dazzle oncoming traffic

Jon.

Jon.

You need to carry one only, the other stuff is just some nonsense from another forum, it's hugely advertised outside France courtesy of the EU whose primary legislation it is. The French had a leaflet suggesting carrying a couple was a good idea which it is and I'll get second ones for our cars.

Hi,

Cheers Ise for the info, it was only when i read an article in a sunday paper at the time that i found out about the required Hi-Viz jacket, until then I had seen nothing in the press iether here or abroad, it's probably one of the only good things to come out of Brussels......shame it's only cost us about £600 Billion in payments to the EU :

Jon.

Driving through France

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