Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
Jun 14th 2002, 8:20 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted something
a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the road from
the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can vary from
place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over there? it
sounds like if all roads leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole
shooting match grinds to a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let
out all and sundry coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone
have any tips for drivers in France?
Les
a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the road from
the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can vary from
place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over there? it
sounds like if all roads leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole
shooting match grinds to a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let
out all and sundry coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone
have any tips for drivers in France?
Les
Jun 14th 2002, 8:21 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
In the Dordogne, particularly in Sarlat, you will signs posted by the RAC indicating
the proper right of way. One of my English retiree-friends said it was just a
mirthful joke.
"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
> Les
the proper right of way. One of my English retiree-friends said it was just a
mirthful joke.
"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
> Les
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
fortunately, its mostly sensible nowadays.... If you can manage London, you can
manage France. Lots of give way signs where they are needed. Main roads have normal
priority, same as anywhere else. Just don't panic, and remember to be extra careful
when you pull away from any stops you make.
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
fortunately, its mostly sensible nowadays.... If you can manage London, you can
manage France. Lots of give way signs where they are needed. Main roads have normal
priority, same as anywhere else. Just don't panic, and remember to be extra careful
when you pull away from any stops you make.
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
On Fri, 14 Jun 2002 20:10:37 +0100, Les & Claire wrote in
<[email protected]>:
>Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted something
>a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the road from
>the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can vary from
>place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over there? it
>sounds like if all roads leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole
>shooting match grinds to a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let
>out all and sundry coming on from side roads... is this mad or what???
Drivers in the UK stop to let cars in from the left voluntarily. That's not
mad, is it?
Main roads don't give priority to the right as a rule.
When the priority is against you in unusual circumstances, there will be a sign "Vous
n'avez pas la priorite'.".
--
Cheers,
Chris
<[email protected]>:
>Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted something
>a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the road from
>the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can vary from
>place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over there? it
>sounds like if all roads leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole
>shooting match grinds to a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let
>out all and sundry coming on from side roads... is this mad or what???
Drivers in the UK stop to let cars in from the left voluntarily. That's not
mad, is it?
Main roads don't give priority to the right as a rule.
When the priority is against you in unusual circumstances, there will be a sign "Vous
n'avez pas la priorite'.".
--
Cheers,
Chris
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
this and tremble!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
Les
this and tremble!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
Les
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
> this and tremble!
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>
> Les
>
you sure your phrase book isnt the same one that Paddington Bear was using
news:[email protected]...
> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
> this and tremble!
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>
> Les
>
you sure your phrase book isnt the same one that Paddington Bear was using
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
> this and tremble!
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>
> Les
>
>
>
When approaching a round a bout you will generally see a sign that says "vous n'avez
pas la priorite" You do not have the right of way. Absent the sign . . .
in "normal" cases now outside of small towns you will have the right of way on your
roadway (it will be marked by a yellow diamond) if you see the diamond with a slash
watch out becasue that tracotr on the dirt road to your right can and will pull out
in front of you.
news:[email protected]:
> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
> this and tremble!
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>
> Les
>
>
>
When approaching a round a bout you will generally see a sign that says "vous n'avez
pas la priorite" You do not have the right of way. Absent the sign . . .
in "normal" cases now outside of small towns you will have the right of way on your
roadway (it will be marked by a yellow diamond) if you see the diamond with a slash
watch out becasue that tracotr on the dirt road to your right can and will pull out
in front of you.
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
Was there for 10 days over New Year;s holiday. No problems whatsoever with 'weird'
traffic laws.
TT
On Fri, 14 Jun 2002 20:52:09 +0100, "Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
> this and tremble!
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>
> Les
traffic laws.
TT
On Fri, 14 Jun 2002 20:52:09 +0100, "Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they, read
> this and tremble!
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>
> Les
Jun 14th 2002, 9:27 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
On Fri, 14 Jun 2002 21:21:40 +0100, "The Oik" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they,
>> read this and tremble!
>>
>> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>>
>> Les
>>
>you sure your phrase book isnt the same one that Paddington Bear was using
If you think France is a nightmare, the following gives you an idea of what makes the
French tremble when they come to the UK! Enjoy......
http://www.humour.com/Affiche/rondpoint.html (you may have to scroll down and/or
click on * Réalité Le carrefour le plus bête d'Europe !!!*)
the beastly thing also appeared on the same site a while back - see:
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...DThemeImage=14
and scroll down for 2nd pic
Germany also comes in for a pasting with:
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...DThemeImage=14
Have fun!
Keith Bristol UK
>
>"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Phew! Things are a little easier than my phrase book says then... or are they,
>> read this and tremble!
>>
>> http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F50954?thread=108673
>>
>> Les
>>
>you sure your phrase book isnt the same one that Paddington Bear was using
If you think France is a nightmare, the following gives you an idea of what makes the
French tremble when they come to the UK! Enjoy......
http://www.humour.com/Affiche/rondpoint.html (you may have to scroll down and/or
click on * Réalité Le carrefour le plus bête d'Europe !!!*)
the beastly thing also appeared on the same site a while back - see:
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...DThemeImage=14
and scroll down for 2nd pic
Germany also comes in for a pasting with:
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...DThemeImage=14
Have fun!
Keith Bristol UK
Jun 14th 2002, 10:20 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
In message <[email protected]>, j coulter
<[email protected]> writes
>
>When approaching a round a bout you will generally see a sign that says "vous n'avez
>pas la priorite" You do not have the right of way. Absent the sign . . .
>
>in "normal" cases now outside of small towns you will have the right of way on your
>roadway (it will be marked by a yellow diamond) if you see the diamond with a slash
>watch out becasue that tracotr on the dirt road to your right can and will pull out
>in front of you.
This can happen but is unusual. Most people behave sensibly when emerging from minor
roads, private drives etc. even though, in theory, they may have priority of the
right. On nearly all roads of any consequence the priorities are clearly defined by
Stop or Give Way signs. Where you are most likely to need to take note of priority of
the right is in minor streets in towns.
It may also be worth noting that only vertical signs have any force in law. If there
is just a triangle painted on the road surface, a driver could ignore it and still
claim that he is in the right. A good rule of thumb is to drive on the basis that
minor road gives way to major but be aware that a *small* minority of drivers may
try to assert priority of the right when it would be better not to. When the roads
of are of equal status then you should always concede priority to the traffic from
the right.
The other thing you should be aware of is that French drivers are fairly assertive.
If there is half a gap in the traffic they will go for it and leave you to concede
the other half. Generally there are pretty good in judging what they can get away
with so it is rarely a problem. Apart from a small minority, French drivers are
fairly courteous and don't take unreasonable risks. I wish the Spanish were as
careful.
(I live close to the border).
--
E. J. Jewell <mailto:[email protected]> <URL:http://apsc.free.fr/> Andorran
Philatelic Study Circle
<[email protected]> writes
>
>When approaching a round a bout you will generally see a sign that says "vous n'avez
>pas la priorite" You do not have the right of way. Absent the sign . . .
>
>in "normal" cases now outside of small towns you will have the right of way on your
>roadway (it will be marked by a yellow diamond) if you see the diamond with a slash
>watch out becasue that tracotr on the dirt road to your right can and will pull out
>in front of you.
This can happen but is unusual. Most people behave sensibly when emerging from minor
roads, private drives etc. even though, in theory, they may have priority of the
right. On nearly all roads of any consequence the priorities are clearly defined by
Stop or Give Way signs. Where you are most likely to need to take note of priority of
the right is in minor streets in towns.
It may also be worth noting that only vertical signs have any force in law. If there
is just a triangle painted on the road surface, a driver could ignore it and still
claim that he is in the right. A good rule of thumb is to drive on the basis that
minor road gives way to major but be aware that a *small* minority of drivers may
try to assert priority of the right when it would be better not to. When the roads
of are of equal status then you should always concede priority to the traffic from
the right.
The other thing you should be aware of is that French drivers are fairly assertive.
If there is half a gap in the traffic they will go for it and leave you to concede
the other half. Generally there are pretty good in judging what they can get away
with so it is rarely a problem. Apart from a small minority, French drivers are
fairly courteous and don't take unreasonable risks. I wish the Spanish were as
careful.
(I live close to the border).--
E. J. Jewell <mailto:[email protected]> <URL:http://apsc.free.fr/> Andorran
Philatelic Study Circle
Jun 14th 2002, 11:20 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
On Fri, 14 Jun 2002 21:47:43 +0100, Keith Anderson
<[email protected]> wrote: but then again I might just have mucked
up the snipping as usual!
>If you think France is a nightmare, the following gives you an idea of what makes
>the French tremble when they come to the UK! Enjoy......
>
>http://www.humour.com/Affiche/rondpoint.html (you may have to scroll down and/or
>click on * Réalité Le carrefour le plus bête d'Europe !!!*)
snip
OMG that one is worse than the one at Hatton Cross nr Heathrow!
Megan
--
Megan Farr Montgomery
Lille kat, lille kat, lille kat på vejen Hvis er du, Hvis er du Jeg er sgu' min egen
- Piet Hein
<[email protected]> wrote: but then again I might just have mucked
up the snipping as usual!
>If you think France is a nightmare, the following gives you an idea of what makes
>the French tremble when they come to the UK! Enjoy......
>
>http://www.humour.com/Affiche/rondpoint.html (you may have to scroll down and/or
>click on * Réalité Le carrefour le plus bête d'Europe !!!*)
snip
OMG that one is worse than the one at Hatton Cross nr Heathrow!
Megan
--
Megan Farr Montgomery
Lille kat, lille kat, lille kat på vejen Hvis er du, Hvis er du Jeg er sgu' min egen
- Piet Hein
Jun 14th 2002, 11:20 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
"Keith Anderson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> the beastly thing also appeared on the same site a while back - see:
>
>
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...IDThemeImage=1 4
>
> and scroll down for 2nd pic
>
> Germany also comes in for a pasting with:
>
>
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...IDThemeImage=1 4
>
looks about on a par with getting to Brent Cross from the 'wrong' side of the
North Circ... Ikea, a bit further round, can also be entertaining if you aren't
expecting it!
BUT, to get back OT-ish, my vote for the biggest grockle killer would go to the
Spanish habit of putting left turn lanes on the RIGHT of the road and not warning
foreigners who try to pull up in the middle of the road to trun left. Grockles get
rear-ended straight into oncoming traffic.
news:[email protected]...
> the beastly thing also appeared on the same site a while back - see:
>
>
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...IDThemeImage=1 4
>
> and scroll down for 2nd pic
>
> Germany also comes in for a pasting with:
>
>
http://www.humour.com/image/Affichag...IDThemeImage=1 4
>
looks about on a par with getting to Brent Cross from the 'wrong' side of the
North Circ... Ikea, a bit further round, can also be entertaining if you aren't
expecting it!
BUT, to get back OT-ish, my vote for the biggest grockle killer would go to the
Spanish habit of putting left turn lanes on the RIGHT of the road and not warning
foreigners who try to pull up in the middle of the road to trun left. Grockles get
rear-ended straight into oncoming traffic.
Jun 14th 2002, 3:20 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
Driving OK(just nowhere to park!)
Les & Claire <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
> Les
Les & Claire <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
> Les
Jun 14th 2002, 3:20 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
To the OP: since you are coming from UK remember to have a good navigator in the left
hand seat, one who you trust when they say that it is clear to pass.
hand seat, one who you trust when they say that it is clear to pass.
Jun 14th 2002, 6:26 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Driving in France... Right of way chaos!!!
"Les & Claire" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
I had exactly the same question before my trip with the same responses. I found
the driving the same as in any other European or North American country.
Intersections are invariably controlled with either stop signs, or yield or give
way or "vous n'avez pas le droit . . ." or the equivalent for one or both of the
traffic flows. The only difference is that there are large "uncontrolled"
roundabouts, mainly in Paris ( such as the Arc de Triomphe) where traffic on the
right has the ROW.
Neil
news:[email protected]...
> Hello.. off to France tomorrow with the car (from the UK) and just spotted
> something a little worrying in the phrase book. It say's that cars coming on to the
> road from the right have right of way, and that the right of way on roundabouts can
> vary from place to place. This seems a VERY dangerous set-up.... how bad is it over
> there? it sounds like if all
roads
> leading into a roundabout have vehicles on them the whole shooting match grinds to
> a halt. Also, the traffic on a main road has to stop to let out all and sundry
> coming on from side roads... is this mad or what??? Does anyone have any tips for
> drivers in France?
>
I had exactly the same question before my trip with the same responses. I found
the driving the same as in any other European or North American country.
Intersections are invariably controlled with either stop signs, or yield or give
way or "vous n'avez pas le droit . . ." or the equivalent for one or both of the
traffic flows. The only difference is that there are large "uncontrolled"
roundabouts, mainly in Paris ( such as the Arc de Triomphe) where traffic on the
right has the ROW.
Neil
