Driving in France & Belgium

[fuzzer]

Another cool feature about the new navigation in the BMW is country guides in the online section telling you basic information about the traffic laws and speed limits etc.

really handy

 

[st13phil]

Never knew that - we drive through Belgium on the way to Germany and back and I always use cruise control!

What do the signs say??

Although I've travelled through Belgium many times it's always been on a motorcycle which doesn't have cruise control(!) and I confess to not having seen the signs myself, but was warned about it by a friend in Belgium a few years ago. I found this quote from Fleet News dating back to 2005, which may shed some light:

The use of cruise control has been banned on Belgian motorways at times of congestion in a bid to cut accidents, reports Fleet News. The prohibition will be signalled with a new road sign at times when cruise control is not allowed - such as in rush hours, bad weather conditions or when traffic piles up following an incident - and on-the-spot fines of 50 euros will be imposed, or 1,375 euros if the case goes to court. It is not clear how the ban will be enforced, though fines are most likely to be imposed on drivers following an accident in which cruise control was judged to be a factor.

A spokesman from the AA Motoring Trust told Fleet News: "This is the first time a restriction on the use of cruise control has been applied in Europe and follows a series of related accidents on Belgian motorways. The signs are normally only used on motorways and only where the risk of rear-end accidents, due to congestion, is high & UK motorists driving on Belgian motorways need to be aware"

The latest AA Touring Tips sheet for Belgium also references the law, but doesn't illustrate the sign.

 

[MD5]

It may be worth pointing out that on French motorways, the speed limit reduces by 20kph in the rain.

 

[HR17]

Have an easy life and drop your mate off at an airport or Eurostar terminal.

 

[st13phil]

Have an easy life and drop your mate off at an airport or Eurostar terminal.

Actually none of this is difficult stuff, there are just a few differences that it's easier if you know about before it turns into a problem than after it becomes one

In years gone by, as a "furriner" you could often talk your way out of a minor motoring infraction in most of continental Europe, but in these days of target-driven policing you are (sadly) just another easy nick if you're unprepared.

 

[BTB 500]

We normally drive to/from Germany overnight, so if the cruise control ban in Belgium only applies under certain circumstances that would almost certainly explain why we've never seen it.

 

[stevesey]

A spokesman from the AA Motoring Trust told Fleet News: "This is the first time a restriction on the use of cruise control has been applied in Europe and follows a series of related accidents on Belgian motorways."

Reminds me of the story about the man who sued Winnebago after setting his R.V. on cruise control and going to the back to make some coffee? (Urban Legend of course).

 

[lynall]

I keep reflective jacket in boot at all time came in handy when i had to dump car in snow and walk home, also keep bulbs, puncture repair kit, fire ext, few tools plus more rubbish that i can squeeze into spare wheel well.

Been through belgium a few times and have used cruise control almost everywhere.



Lynall

 

[racall]

More interesting is whats the Lotus like????

 

[jonnyboy]

Remember to carry about £100 in small change for when the sneaky t***s in France nick you. I took great comfort last summer when a Polish bloke literally paid a 90 euro fine in coins less than a euro - he was laughing the whole time, as were the other 8 non-french drivers who were queueing up to pay...
They either hide in slip roads on bikes (which are not really proper slip roads if you know what I mean) so if you see a little side exit where it is not all visible watch out, or the other place is on overhead gantries on a downslope, then radio ahead to the next toll booth.
As has been said before, watch out for Belgian drivers, and also be aware some of the road surfaces are absolutely crap there.
Which ferry and which car Leigh?

 

[EDZ649]

Not sure on the ferry John, my neighbour is sorting that out. I'm taking the L200 so not going to be breaking any major speed records!

 

[EDZ649]

Have an easy life and drop your mate off at an airport or Eurostar terminal.

No way, I want to fill the back of the L200 up with beer on the way back!

 

[jonnyboy]

L200 - have you got breakdown cover ?

 

[esox]

how do they know if youre using cruise control?

Both feet on dashboard,with hands behind head and seat adjusted to reclined position?

?

 

[EDZ649]

L200 - have you got breakdown cover ?

Nah, only need that for Navara's!

 

[jonnyboy]

Nah, only need that for Navara's!

New model out in a few weeks, I feel a new lease coming on....

 

[EDZ649]

New model out in a few weeks, I feel a new lease coming on....

Gluton for punishment eh?

 

[jonnyboy]

Gluton for punishment eh?

I never said I was gonna lease an L200

 

[BTB 500]

As has been said before, watch out for Belgian drivers

Yup we almost got taken out by an airborne Golf estate a couple of years ago. The driver tried to cut diagonally across a strip of grass at full speed after taking the wrong lane when the motorway split. Hit a hidden ditch or drainage channel and took off, landed about a car's length ahead of us and just to one side (amazingly, upright).

After that we noticed many of the grass verges at motorway junctions had tyre tracks running across them!

 

[chiefski26]

lotus cortina = yes please