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According to the blurb I have received from the Caravan Club, it is illegal to use a radar detector on the road on France and that the device will be confiscated
I have also read somewhere in this Forum that the French police have to be convinced that SatNav devices are not detectors and are not illegal
I remember that there is a document you can download, in French, that explains this difference and you can show it to the police if stopped
I've done a search but can't find the reference. Is it still available and can someone tell me the link to the download
Happy Wheels
Skimbo
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Satnav is widely used by French motorists too ... so I can only imagine that they're OK with satnav.
As long as your satnav is ONLY set to detect the fixed radars (which are always marked with clear signs anyway), I cannot see it being a problem.
The number of speed cameras is rapidly increasing in France, both fixed and temporary - and the Gendarmes are now "doing" people for tail-gaiting (on the spot €90 fine! not sure about points).
It's simple really....when you see a sign for 50KPH, or some other speed, if you stay below that speed it doesn't matter where the cameras are
It saves the cost of detectors and fines......it's free!!!
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Satnav is widely used by French motorists too ... so I can only imagine that they're OK with satnav.
As long as your satnav is ONLY set to detect the fixed radars (which are always marked with clear signs anyway), I cannot see it being a problem.
The number of speed cameras is rapidly increasing in France, both fixed and temporary - and the Gendarmes are now "doing" people for tail-gaiting (on the spot €90 fine! not sure about points).
The difference is in the definition. A Sat Nav can not detect cameras, it will tell you where they are based on it's built in database. A camera detector uses a transmitter/receiver to detect things like temporary cameras and laser guns. If you use one of these the Police will find you. Don't bother switching it off and denying it, they already have their evidence. Works the same way as TV detectors.
Simply, if you flout the law, you deserve to get caught. I agree with those that avdocate driving within the indicated speed limit. The theory that camera databases save lives is unfound. All they do is to indicate to the speeders that for a few yards they need to slow down.
I have switched off the camera database on my Sat nav, it is too annoying and I have no need for it. Got three points some years ago and will not get any more, the shame is too great.
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Simply, if you flout the law, you deserve to get caught. I agree with those that avdocate driving within the indicated speed limit.
Absolutely! We now never (knowingly) break the speed limits here. It's just not worth it!! I don't give a stuff about the points, but the fines could soon mount up The only SAFE way to avoid being caught for speeding (and this applies the world over) is to stick to the limits.
I also read that it is illegal to have one installed in the vehicle even if it has been disconnected from the power source.
I cannot understand why people who habitually speed and have radar detectors so that they can break the law keep on whinging about the unfairness of being caught and penalised.
If you break the law and get caught and penalised then why is it unfair.
I cannot see any reason why speed cameras should not be hidden. When trying to catch other lawbreakers the police use stealth - why is speeding different? Why should speeders be treated any differently?
______________________________________________________________ Old but still game
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I also read that it is illegal to have one installed in the vehicle even if it has been disconnected from the power source.
I cannot understand why people who habitually speed and have radar detectors so that they can break the law keep on whinging about the unfairness of being caught and penalised.
If you break the law and get caught and penalised then why is it unfair.
I cannot see any reason why speed cameras should not be hidden. When trying to catch other lawbreakers the police use stealth - why is speeding different? Why should speeders be treated any differently?
______________________________________________________________ Old but still game
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I do believe if you have and use a radar detector, as in a roadangel etc in France you will be fined and have the appliance confiscated if caught using it.
If you have a TomTom etc with detector locations as POIs on it this is not illegal.
Like has been said, try and stick to the speed limits.
Johnny F
______________________________________________________________ Southport 2008 Rally. Now Fully Booked.
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I think some people are missing the point here. It has nothing to do with sticking to speed limits, but using a SatNav which is loaded by default with French camera locations......you can be stopped for any minor transgression, even parking and the query is whether you have to prove that a Satnav with those POIs is legal when the guy spots your device on the windscreen and decides to be difficult or bloody-minded. I have been through French mobile speed checks without issue but since I bought a Tomtom with camera locations for the whole of Europe I have been a bit apprehensive about ever being stopped.......and the french are quite capable of having random road blocks for breathalysing especially round Lemans during the 24Hrs to name but one.. You can be stopped for a bulb out, so is there a definitive answer to the legality of a Tomtom speed camera warning ?
______________________________________________________________ You´re only young once but you can be immature forever
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The only SAFE way to avoid being caught for speeding (and this applies the world over) is to stick to the limits. 
