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Running a gîte in France: why being on site matters for success
A reader argues that having a presence brings better feedback and satisfaction
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Why driving in France can cost more than in the UK
A reader writes about his driving experiences in both UK and France
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Centre-right's candidate is a poor copy of French far-right leader
Columnist Simon Heffer is not impressed by Bruno Retailleau - the candidate of Les Républicains for next year’s presidential election
Safety, not speed, is key
Re: articles on the 80kph new speed limits... how many accidents have been caused by vehicles driving too close to the one in front?
We have seen HGVs just a few feet from the back end of a car while travelling at speed.
Accidents are not wholly down to speed. They’re also due to tailgating, and dangerous overtaking, such as on roads with solid white centre lines.
Certainly, the vehicles will not be economic in fourth or fifth at 80kph. Even if I drive at that speed in those gears, I have to change down to climb even a modest slope.
Also, and I brought this to the attention of the league of conducteurs, if someone dies three weeks after an accident in the UK, then the UK lists it as a road accident death.
In France, if the person gets to the hospital and then dies, it is not classified as a death caused by a road accident. As a thought, while riding my motorcycles, in so-called 80 zones or less I do not need mirrors, as I know that a car is scratching my number plate.
Roger Mew, Loire-Atlantique
