Advice on driving in France

quote:

What an attitude! I must remember to wave the next time I pass you pulled over by a man in blue

is no indication in itself of driving irresponsibly.

quote:

...or when you are upside down in a ditch.

suggests irresponsible conduct at the wheel.

The two above scenarios are quite different, and I wonder if Wiltshireman is capable of making the distinction between the two.

quote:

Certainly if I thought you had the same musical equipment likes as me I think I would sell up and buy something else.

This gives me the impression that he has an absolutist notions relating to conformity and has difficulty thinking and acting freely, and taking responsibility for his actions.

I believe that the purchasing of musical instruments and style of driving are examples of choices that should be self-determined and not rely on positive (or negative) reinforcement by others.

quote:

How pompous.

I wouldn't say it was so much pompous (no offence Fredrik) but cowardly. If you slavishly follow a set of rules imposed upon you, you allow the author and/or enforcer of those rules to take responsibility for your actions.

Steve, it wasn't aimed at Fredrik, which I hope he realises.

Pompous was aimed at our friend in Wiltshire. Who seems unable to argue a point without taking his ball home.

My point to Fredrik was about the council tax.

quote:

Cars may now be impounded until a local judge decides it is time for the offender to continue their forward journey. I guess they're free to continue sans vehicle.

IIRC the gist was instant for offenders more than 50k's over the limit (with 130 on the peage that's a very reasonable (as in certainly not draconian or harsh) ceiling of 180).

Agreed. This is very reasonable.

130 km/h is the equivalent of 80 mph. In the UK the limit is 70.

The unofficial tolerance limit in the UK is between 79 and 85.

In France the above is 150 km/h (94mph.)

In the UK you are likely to receive a court summons and possible ban for speeds in excess of 100 mph, 90 in some areas. Between 79 mph and 90/100 you will most probably receive a fixed penalty of a £60 fine and 3 points on your licence.

In France you will receive a much bigger fine, possible ban or your vehicle being impounded above speeds of 180 km/h - THAT'S 114 MPH FOLKS! Between 94 and 114 mph you'll receive a fixed penalty of €100 (£70).

You can make far better progress on a French motorway without risking the wrath of Plod.

Dear Steves I and II,

If I could not aford to pay the Council Tax, I would not pay the Council Tax, and surely go to prison! Then we could have a nice Free Fredrik Campain on the Forum, which would great fun. And I don't mean spending all my money on some new Naim kit so I would not be able to afford it either! [Smiley]!

Kindest regards from Fredrik

quote:

I have driven in Norway and Sweden in a RHD car, and it was initially disconcerting to drive round 'round abouts' the other way to normal,

'disconcerting' is for lightweight beginners - try dropping yourself in to rush hour in Mexico D.F., where one may experience varying degrees of a "continual feeling of impending doom/bodily injury/ideas of searching out a surgeon to graft an extra six strategically placed eyes, and some extra limbs to assist in safely negotiating your passage through the traffic". commonly known as mild panic.


an ideal Mexico City driver configuration, yesterday


In Mexico City they run both ways around roundabouts (glorietas) on the major aterial road 'Paseo de la Reforma'. and then it gets *even trickier*: if one was turning left at the roundabout? Why, you approach the glorieta in the middle lane so as to take the ACW route, proceed anticlockwise around the roundabout on the innermost (left) lane until reaching the point opposite your entry, and pause (you have to, you'd t-bone your fellow motorist who entered the glorieta on the left-most lane and who has been proceding clockwise around the other side of the glorieta) . wait for the lights to change, then you complete your turn.

As you might imagine, it takes a little while to get used to.

I'll see if I can find a picture - I should imagine my explanation above is difficult for any rational person to follow, given the road-use makes little sense to anyone seeking to apply common logic.