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#71
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Ski Trip from hell!
"funkraum" wrote in message ... "Dean Kellett" wrote: [...] transfer buses etc. French motorways are "snooker table smooth" and remember the longer you stay on the motorway the cheaper it is per mile (back to the first statement, plan your route, fuel up off the motorway) Driving is easy and the driving standards are generally better than in the UK especially when it comes to lane discipline! I've not found driving standards in France so hot, but perhaps things have changed in the UK since I last drove there regularly? Tailgating and inside overtaking are the rule if you're at a mere 130/140 kph on the autoroute. In town it's worse, drivers often don't bother to signal, especially on roundabouts. And as for respecting red lights... Still, there are far less accidents per head in France, although that might be something to do with the congestion on British roads. [...] - 'lane discipline' This is due to French autoroutes (especially the ones used by skiers) being quieter than English, and the fact that lane-hogging on a half-empty autoroute will receive and aggressive headlight-flashing approach from a French driver speeding up behind. |
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#72
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Ski Trip from hell!
On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 18:52:31 +0100, "PG"
wrote: "funkraum" wrote in message .. . "Dean Kellett" wrote: [...] transfer buses etc. French motorways are "snooker table smooth" and remember the longer you stay on the motorway the cheaper it is per mile (back to the first statement, plan your route, fuel up off the motorway) Driving is easy and the driving standards are generally better than in the UK especially when it comes to lane discipline! I've not found driving standards in France so hot, but perhaps things have changed in the UK since I last drove there regularly? Tailgating and inside overtaking are the rule if you're at a mere 130/140 kph on the autoroute. If inside overtaking is possible, then the person being overtaken is in the wrong lane. roundabouts. And as for respecting red lights... Still, there are far less accidents per head in France, although that might be something to do with the congestion on British roads. The UK has the best record in the world for deaths and serious injuries per million vehicle (or passenger) kilometres, according to official statistics. I have seen several sites listing comparative statistics, and while the actual numbers vary a little, they are remarkably consistent in the relative numbers between different countries. -- Alex Heney, Global Villager These are only my opinions. You should see my convictions. To reply by email, my address is aDOTjDOTheneyATbtinternetDOTcom |
#73
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Ski Trip from hell!
"Alex Heney" wrote in message news On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 18:52:31 +0100, "PG" wrote: [...] transfer buses etc. French motorways are "snooker table smooth" and remember the longer you stay on the motorway the cheaper it is per mile (back to the first statement, plan your route, fuel up off the motorway) Driving is easy and the driving standards are generally better than in the UK especially when it comes to lane discipline! I've not found driving standards in France so hot, but perhaps things have changed in the UK since I last drove there regularly? Tailgating and inside overtaking are the rule if you're at a mere 130/140 kph on the autoroute. If inside overtaking is possible, then the person being overtaken is in the wrong lane. Sorry, that's just not the case. If I move out to the fast lane to overtake, leaving the appropriate distance between the car in front of me and myself, then there is ample room for others to force their way into the resultant gap if they so wish. And they do so, regularly. roundabouts. And as for respecting red lights... Still, there are far less accidents per head in France, although that might be something to do with the congestion on British roads. The UK has the best record in the world for deaths and serious injuries per million vehicle (or passenger) kilometres, according to official statistics. I have seen several sites listing comparative statistics, and while the actual numbers vary a little, they are remarkably consistent in the relative numbers between different countries. -- I didn't mention fatal or serious injury accidents, just accidents. In the International Road Traffic and Accident Database 2000 statistics, 'Accident' is defined as something to which the police are called. Accident statistics compared with number of vehicles on the road: Country: % of accidents as proportion of vehicles: No. of vehicles: No. of accidents: UK 0.8 per cent 29,638,976 242,118 Germany 0.7 per cent 51,351,875 382,950 Italy 0.6 per cent 37,836,000 211,940 Spain 0.4 per cent 23,283,538 101,730 France 0.3 per cent 34,291,275 121,220 I haven't seen the serious injury/fatal accident stats recently, but in France there is a major campaign under way, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread. Permitted alcohol levels are being lowered, there's even talk of zero tolerance. Random police checkpoints and breathalizing. Stricter enforcement of speed limits through automatic cameras, with a very low margin for 'error', I believe it's 5%. Pete |
#74
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Ski Trip from hell!
"helloblondie" wrote:
"PG" wrote in message Careful.... they're really cracking down on speeding in France. New high-tech equipment, alcohol limits lowered (equivalent of 2 units now), automated cameras, random breathalizers, on the spot fines ... there's a major government move to crack down on accident levels .... To make it worse, drivers of foreign registered cars won't get away with it much longer - there's a Europe-wide plan to impose a system with fines being chased wherever you're from... Looks like first of January for the EU wide warrants coming in. Are you saying the party's over Pete. No more TVR thrashing on the way to Le Mans! In my opinion, those roads in Normandie, including the Rouen to Le Mans stretch used by the English heading for the Le Mans meet are best exploited in a month well away from the Le Mans meet and during a week day. If you are already at Le Mans there are several in all directions which are well worth a good look. The flics are out in force, lining the road from the coast all the way to Le Mans in the days before the meet, out to catch Le Rosbif for every cent they can. Do it before the GATSO situation becomes worse. The end of our over night speed fest down to Monaco! Do not forget to vary the route with the excellent "Route Napoleon". |
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