90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

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90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Richard_C »

This passed me by, just noticed today. The 90 kph limit on two lane (i.e. undivided by barrier) roads in France turned to 80 kph from 1 July in a bid to reduce road deaths. Thought it might be useful to others here who like me might have missed the news, but maybe I'm the only one who didn't notice.

Thinking aloud: if you have a very final drive ratio, like my 1.6 blue hdi Picasso, 90 kph was marginal in 6th gear so will probably have to trundle round in 5th now. Lower speed should mean lower consumption for all sorts of reasons, but with years of design parameters built around getting optimum fuel efficiency at 90, I wonder if the collective fuel consumption of France will go up or down?
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Homer »

They were making a big deal of it on the TV when we were there in August. Seems a lot of locals didn't know it had changed and were getting caught.

It's a ridiculously low speed to have as a blanket limit though.

Also, Brits might not have heard that the French (and other EU) authorities can apply for the UK registered keeper details. I didn't realise it had changed and have been zipping around France, Belgium, and The Netherlands thinking I was immune. Not had a ticket yet but what prompted me to check was getting Flashed in France.....

...Switzerland.....

....and Germany. :oops:
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Paul-R »

The problem is that the 80Km/h limit only applies to roads where there is a single carriageway in either direction. What this means is that if there are two carriageways going in each direction (this includes both dual carriageways with a wall separating the two directions and wide four lane roads with just a painted line as a separator) then the limit is still 90Km/h.

There's a section of the old N20 (now the D2020) north of Orléans going up to Artenay which is four lane for most of its length and, except for where is goes through villages, it's still 90Km/h in both directions.

And then it gets more complicated. If you have a three lane road then the side which has the overtaking lane has a 90Km/h limit while the opposite direction remains at 80Km/h. You'll now find that (where they've remembered to put the correct signs up) on three lane sections where you have the overtaking lane there is now a 90Km/h sign and, as that section ends, there will be an 80Km/h sign and, possibly, a short while later a Rappel 80Km/h sign.

On a personal level it's a real PITA having the limit change so randomly. It certainly doesn't do the environment any good with all the acceleration and deceleration necessary depending on whether or not you have an overtaking lane.

Later on during our trip down I went passed a speed camera and I can confirm that at least one of them has been recalibrated for 80Km/h! I haven't had anything through the post yet and, to be honest, I have not heard or read of anyone who has been pursued by this pan-national fines collection company.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by van ordinaire »

I didn't think the French noticed, or took any notice of, speed limits, at least since "les flics" seem to have disappeared, & toll roads have been automated, so there's no one to work out your average speed.

Did get a ticket in Germany earlier in the year though, thanks to this wonderful European co-operation scheme (presumably to end in March?) - cost me a fortune, because although the penalty was only €20, the minimum I could transfer was £100. Strange that Teutonic efficiency doesn't extend to card payments.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by white exec »

I got a ticket from France back in March this year, dutifully delivered direct to me by post - and all in Spanish. Usual 50% disc for prompt settlement, promptly paid online. Easy come, easy go!
That was for doing around 70km/h on a rural road, where I hadn't noticed the 50 limit.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

van ordinaire wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 21:44Strange that Teutonic efficiency doesn't extend to card payments.

Teutonic efficiency goes by the wayside when money is concerned (they want your money!). Years ago my Mother lived in Germany. On one occasion she overpaid a credit card bill by about 10 pfennigs. The credit card company sent her a letter to tell her this, but also charged her 1 mark for the cost of the letter!
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Paul-R »

white exec wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 22:02I got a ticket from France back in March this year, dutifully delivered direct to me by post - and all in Spanish.
How long after the event did the ticket arrive?
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Gibbo2286 »

That 80 kph is really the same as in large parts of the USA where 50 mph is the general limit on all roads.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Zelandeth »

Yeah, the 50 (or 55)mph limits in the US are a pain.

There are a lot of roads around where my in laws live in East Lansing, and their 6-speed auto is at highest in 4th at that speed, often dropping to third if you go anywhere near the accelerator... don't imagine the situation in France will be any different.

X300 Jags (the 3.2 at least) drops the torque converter into lockup at 50mph, so driving at that speed results in it continually switching in/out all the time. Royal annoyance in 50mph road works on the motorway.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by white exec »

Paul-R wrote: 02 Oct 2018, 08:34
white exec wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 22:02I got a ticket from France back in March this year, dutifully delivered direct to me by post - and all in Spanish.
How long after the event did the ticket arrive?
Just gone back and looked at the ticket/fine I received. My memory had played up:
Offence - 97km/h in a 90 area, <20km/h over limit
RD951 Saint-Claud vers Confolens
date - 16.3.18
notice issued - 21.3.18
fine - €45 for payment within 46 days

So, very quickly! :?
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Paul-R »

Gibbo2286 wrote: 02 Oct 2018, 09:22 That 80 kph is really the same as in large parts of the USA where 50 mph is the general limit on all roads.

Thought it was 55 (the double nickel) in the states? Or am I 30 years out of date!
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Paul-R »

white exec wrote: 02 Oct 2018, 10:31date - 16.3.18
notice issued - 21.3.18
I was flashed towards the end of July and not heard anything yet. Maybe they're doing an unofficial bedding in of the new limit as I was doing the old 90Km/h at the time.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Paul-R wrote: 02 Oct 2018, 10:37
Gibbo2286 wrote: 02 Oct 2018, 09:22 That 80 kph is really the same as in large parts of the USA where 50 mph is the general limit on all roads.

Thought it was 55 (the double nickel) in the states? Or am I 30 years out of date!


You might be right Paul. :? I'll have to ask my daughter who lives out there.
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by EDC5 »

If you get caught speeding abroad and pay the fine, do you get any points?

I'm not too bothered about paying a fine, if one is due. It's the points and inevitable insurance hike that could end up dwarfing the fine!
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Re: 90 kph becomes 80 kph in France

Post by GiveMeABreak »

There are no penalty points transferred to UK drivers committing offences abroad Elis - so you can relax on that front! :-D
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