-
State of French roads causing alarm
Spectacular images of roads that have collapsed or been blocked by mudslides this winter have prompted renewed concern about the state of France’s roads
-
A13 French motorway near Paris closed until at least May 1
Further tests must be carried out before repairs can begin. Traffic jams reached 400km long around Paris on Monday
-
Update: France’s A13 motorway closed for days, huge traffic jams
Crack in road has already damaged drainage apparatus of motorway
The speed camera now flashing trains
Vandals have turned roadside radar to face a railway line
A mobile speed trap by the roadside in Orsan, Gard no longer flashes speeding cars but trains - after vandals turned it to face a railway track parallel to the road.
The radar is still intact but it remains unclear whether any speeding fines for excessive train speed through nearby Bagnols-sur-Cèze will be sent to the SNCF.
This is unlikely, as all speeding tickets are supposed to be authorised by police officers working in the Centre National de Traitement for road offences in Rennes – with software scanning each photo for a number plate. However, with 55,000 photos being treated each day…
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France
Speed limits in France are as follows: 130kph on the autoroute, 110kp on a two-way road separated by a central reservation (un terre-plein central), 90kph on a main road and 50kph in built-up areas.
Penalties for breaking the limit vary and depend on the road and speed. Break the limit in a 50kph zone and you could face a €45 fine if you exceed the limit by less than 20kph – or a €90 if you break the limit by more than 20kph.
The €45 fine rises to €68 if not paid in 15 days and €180 if not paid in 45 days. The €90 fine can rise to €135 and €375.
