Fitting equipment that warns of speed cameras is forbidden in France, as I understand it. So three questions: as many GPS devices are thus equipped does that mean they cannot be used there; do les fliques warn road users of camera sites via road signs as here and what are the penalties for fitting said illegal speed-camera warning devices? I thank you!
It is not illegal in France to warn people that there is a hazardous area, warn of an accident black spot, warn them to take extra care, etc. So if you are riding in France, just be aware that suggestions on these lines should be taken seriously - they are hinting indirectly that there is a scamera.
Garmin, and I asume Tom Tom, do software updates to reflect the laws regarding GPS usage and camera sites in France.
So if I'm passing through France en route to, say, Spain, I have to do without speed camera warning for the whole trip unless I can find somewhere to update. Annoying bloody French! Anyone know the penalties if you're caught, having failed to update?
I dont mind static speed cameras usually as you have plenty of time to slow down, but those pecky mobile scameras are b1tches.
I believe that you can disable the proximity warnings within the software. I also believe that the chances of le flick actually bothering to check is virtually nil.
On my Garmin satnav I find that in France there are no warnings explicitly stating "camera", in accordance with French law. But there are plenty of warnings of "hazardous areas", "accident black spots", etc. Just take the fucking hint and you'll be just fine.
As johnv said you can disable the speed camera warnings in tom tom and I assume all sat nav hardware I can also disable it on my tom tom app on my Iphone. So you can still use the Sat Nav without breaking that country's law.
I have never bothered about it tbh, so little chance you will get stopped and they look at your sat nav, as others have said you can turn them off,
In France and Spain you'll find that there's generally a camera within 1 or 2km of a camera warning sign - you may find that it has to be within a set distance, but it means that when you see the sign you need to slow to the limit until you see the camera, generally in an inocuous grey box at the roadside or in the central reservation.
Who cares really, I do three runs to France each year (Dordogne and Ventoux) and ping the same camera's each year. In all these years I've had no repercussions at all not even Interpol waiting for me at Eurotunnel with a hand full of court summons'.
There are always signs before a speed camera here. Warning devices are illegal, but I would very much doubt that any of our cops would have the slightest interest in checking anyones GPS. There are very few speed cameras anyway and many of those are still forward facing. The thing to beware of is speeding in towns and villages where they will use a mobile gun to enforce the 50 kmh limit, and it is 50, not 50 + 5 or 50 + 10%. You will find that 90% of oncoming vehicles will flash their lights and warn you of any police presence ahead. The 90 kmh open road speed limit is mostly unenforced. If you try and use a little French and be polite then you will find that the cops will be lenient. The Gendarmes are a branch of the French military and are generally very human, the Police are local forces and can be arses. When I had rebuilt the BMW K100RS I took it out on the autoroute between Brive and Limoges to test it, I held 238 kmh (145 mph) for about 15 minutes on the GPS. The speed limit was 130 kmh (80 mph) but there are so few cops and cameras around that there was very little chance of being caught. Should you come here on a UK registered bike and set off a camera there will be little comeback at the present time, but things are different with a handheld radar. If you have no respect for other countries laws and do it frequently, then expect you numberplate to be noted and you could end up in the poo at a later date as you get off the ferry and drive past the caps checking cars. If foreigners come to the UK then you would expect them to respect the UK rules so why not do the same?
I have first hand experience (lived here for 11 years) and have not seen any warning signs being removed for fixed camera at all.
If anyone is coming down this way (Dordogne) and needs any help with planning or just wants an emergency help number then PM me and I'll supply a landline phone number, skype name and location. I have a garage full of tools.
Id have to go with a small plate.....saved my arse loads of times.....the plod want to have it both ways but its not really going to work....theyre less of them on the roads now and try to get cameras to do the dirty work. Ive been in front of quite a few police cars (including an M5 gunship) and not been pulled, and, if I did and get fined, id switch it back out....I think one of the lads on here called it a "vanity tax"...
