Driving in france.... is it as bad as everyone makes out??

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ANF

I have driven in France for many,many years and have found it about the same as in UK. The main problem is that one has looked in certain directions looking for trouble in UK but in France you need to re -think the process a bit. French drivers are intolerant and make no allowance for the GB plate which indicated that you are likely to be slower or hesitant. With the new EC style number plates there is no need for a GB sticker. I still put one on though so that there is no excuse in the event of an accident. You are most at risk when you pull off the road for a Picnic or petrol etc. as when you rejoin the brain reverts you back to a UK road and you find yourself on the wrong side. Not so bad on Motorways and dual carriageways though. Just ask your passenger to give regular reminders to drive on the right, look right etc. Don't be offended at the reminders even if you have remembered yourself. It is easy to forget as UK driving is
a very long habit to break. I am driving to Switzerland through France again this year. Have a good time. By the way for speeding there are on the spot fines and no time to pay so observe speed limits. Also drink driving checks are often done by closing a road and stopping and checking every motorist. I was stopped and was 2nd in the queue on such a check. There were about 60 cars behind me.

john k

You are driving from Manchester 300 miles to Dover on the worst road system in Europe, if you get to Dover in one piece be thankful. French roads are some of the best in Europe, their Auto routes outstanding, except for large towns expect quieter roads than UK.

Voice of Reason

Driving in France is very easy, generally the roads are quieter than in the UK. Don't believe the horror stories - French drivers are no worse that those in the UK.

On Motorways drive in the right hand lane - the French rule is to indicate left when overtaking on the motorway and keep indicating until you pull back into the right hand lane.

Have a full set of spare bulbs - if the police stop you for a defective one they won't let you proceed until you replace it. also they are tougher with people who they catch speeding.

Xtine

We go there often and have had no problems --saying that we have avoided cities---I believe it's hell driving through Paris.I wouldn't however think of driving through London ,if I didn't have too!

Anna

Who makes out that it's bad? Bad in what way? I'm really not sure I understand.

Driving in France is much easier than in the UK. It takes a little while to get used to driving on the other side, but not long.

Motorway driving is lovely - their motorways are much much better than ours - better surfaces, better signs, better lighting, and FAR fewer cars. I've never been in a traffic jam in France, apart from once, where loads of British cars were trying to get into that awful hypermarket place that's about 5 minutes from the Channel Tunnel.

Driving in French towns isn't hard - if you've got a UK sign on the back of your car, and drivers can see you're not local, they'll leave you room and be patient. If you remember to always acknowledge the other driver if they let you pull out, (they can get a bit shirty if you don't), you'll be fine. Just take it easy, stay calm, and look twice at every junction, especially turning left.

VidaUK

My husband and I regularly drive in France when we take the car over for day trips, however last summer we drove all the way from London - onto the shuttle and then down to Fuisse, south of Macon - it is a long way! I think we left at 8am and got there at 5pm.

It was a fantastic drive - the motorways have regular service stops - and it was one of the easiest and stress free journeys we have ever had - there and back. The worst bit was driving off the shuttle back onto our roads where we immediately hit congested traffic. On the way back we detoured to Troyes and stayed in Champagne - easy driving all the way.

We've also driven around Marseille and Provence and again - no problems at all - the key is if you are not sure about anything to slow down and take your time - a sat nav with a good french map on helps too!

If you can drive in the UK, especially the south east and London - France is a dream.

bittersweetnyc

Well, well well.... I'm French and i think that French Drivers are rude and dangerous, but don't worry it is not all the time like that...

If you go on the motorway, and are not use to drive there stay on the right lane, wich is the slow lane,

If you have to go into a city : take a deep breath, take your time, and take the time to read the signs, who cares if you are driving slowly, if they are not happy they will be angry but really can't do nothing about it.

And one more thing, if you are lost or anything, don't be afraid to ask, if you speak a little french most of the people will be happy to help you.

Or if u feel like it, ask a policeman or a gendarme, no big deal.

Have a good trip and don't be afraid, we are rude certainly (not all of us !) but not dangerous, we are just driving really fast and not putting our "turning lights" (sorry forgot how to say that).

Enjoy your trip.

assassin

driven thousands of miles in France with no problems, including 3 trips to eurodisney. Motorways are great but you usually have to pay and the police are very keen with speeding tickets. However if you watch your speed and plan your route you should not have any problems

PAUL C

i never had any problems

David W

There are no more idiots driving in France than there are in the UK. One thing you need to be aware of is that the old French system gave priority to the vehicle joining a roundabout or a main road. So some drivers still act as though this rule still applies. So be prepared to give way to other vehicles, its easier and cheaper than repairing damage afterwards.

Poppet

I hope not because I'm going to be driving to the south of france in a month. I've been a passenger loads of times and it doesn't seem any different to here, except on the other side of the road.

They don't get as angry as we do here. If you hesitate at a junction (being on the wrong side makes it really difficult to know what instructions you should be following) then they don't start beeping or anything. They just help you out, like waving to say its your turn to go, that sort of thing.

Lancer

In Paris...yes...know where you're going and don't stop short in the busy areas. Outside of Paris, I've never had a problem.

I have found that the Portuguese are generally Western Europe's worst drivers. (Although...they are really friendly people!)

alan

I drive about 5,000 miles a year in France and have never had a problem. There is less traffic a lot of long straight roads. The cities are busy but that's the same anywhere

marechal_00

It is not bad at all, except maybe in Paris intra-muros.
Highways are very safe, just keep your right (and watch out for the difference with UK).
Have a safe trip.

iluvicecream4eva

Every 1 says so dont they well thts up 2 them
but its you aint it so do wht pleases you and your companions .

biffo

How do you mean bad. Fance have much better roads, not so busy, apart from the big cities the driving standard is good, just remember to keep right.

chip2001

We had a driving holiday in France last year, no problems at all. The worst thing that happened was when we were trying to reverse into a space between two parked cars at the side of the road a guy pulled up right behind us and just sat there hooting his horn at us. He was completely blocking the space we wanted so we had to give up. Apart from that we found French drivers to be fine, we even coped ok with the peripherique around Paris in the evening rush hour!

angus r

yes it is!!!!

Butt

No- It is worse.If another motorist doesn't get you.-A policeman will.With an on the spot fine.I am not joking.Once they see a foreign
number plate-That's it.

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