France is the number 1 holiday destination in the world for tourists and each year more than 85 million visit. Of that number, 14 million are British nationals and many take their cars. This article helps to clarify the major points and to dispel the myth that the only factor that drivers need to be aware of is to "keep right" and to drive on the other side of the road when coming off the ferry in France. 

If you are looking to drive in France then you you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. Failure to comply may lead to a fine and/or your vehicle being impounded. You are not permitted to drive at 17 even if you hold a valid licence. If you do not own the vehicle you are driving, you are advised to obtain written permission from the registered owner. 

 

Driving in France is considered safe and in 2008 there were 4,275 road deaths in France.  This equates to 6.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares favourbaly against the UK average of 4.3 per 100,000. Tiredness was a big contributer to this figure and due toi the size of the country many drivers will undertake long journeys cross country. If you are driving long distances then care should be taken to plan your journey and to take regular breaks. Please dont become a statistic for the sake of a break.

Fuel in France is similar to the UK and unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are all available. Petrol stations will allow you to top up a jerry can but note that carrying fuel in one of these containers sis forbidden by the ferry and Eurotunnel operators. A new type of fuel, the SP95-E10 which contains a 10% Ethanol mix is now availbale throughout Franc but this fuel is not suitable for use in all cars and you should check compatibility with your manufacturer before using. Many European Breakdown Cover policies will not provide cover if you mistakenly refuel you vehicle with the wrong fuel. 

Driving regulations in France are different from those in the UK. Speeding can result in heavy, on the spot fines and potentially immediate confiscation of your vehicle and licence.

Although the French like a glass of "Vin" at lunchtime they take there drinking and driving laws very seriously. If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or more, severe penalties are imposed include fines, imprisonment and/or confiscation of the driving licence. The same applies to diving under the influence of drugs and saliva drug tests will be used to detect drivers under the influence of drugs. Penalties are severe and are similar to those of drink driving.

It is compulsory in France for front and rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all passengers under 18 are appropriately restrained.  Children under the age of 10 are not permitted to travel on the front seats of vehicles. They must travel in an approved child seat or restraint adapted to their size. A baby up to 13kg must be carried in a rear facing baby seat. A child between 9 and 18kg must be seated in a child seat and a child from 15kg up to 10 years can use a booster seat with a seat belt or a harness.

The French Police take speeding seriously and their are grave consequences for non compliance. Holders of EU driving licenses exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h will have their licenses confiscated on the spot by the police. In built-up areas the limit is 50 km/hr (31 mph) , outside built-up areas 90 Km/hr (56 mph). 110 km/hr (68 mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation and 130Km/hr (80 mph) on motorways. Lower speed limits do apply in wet weather and to visiting motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years.

If you are looking to beat the Police at their own game, dont try. In-car radar detectors are illegal in France whether in use or not. On-the-spot fines are severe and involves a fine of up to 1500 Euros and the vehicle and/or device may be confiscated. Other apparatus such as televisions, video, DVD equipment which could potentially distract a driver should be positioned so the driver is unable to see them. This excludes GPS systems. It is prohibited to touch or program the device unless parked in a safe place.

Motorcycles driving in France are required to raise their profile to other road users and the use of dipped headlights during the day is compulsory. The wearing of crash helmets is also compulsory for both driver and passenger of any two-wheel motorised vehicle. Dipped headlights is recommended for all vehciles and must be used in poor daytime visibility. It is highly recommended by the French Government that 4x4 wheeled vehicles use dipped headlights day and night.

It is compulsory in France to carry the following safety equipment within any vehicle with more than 2 wheels. A Warning triangle, Reflective Jacket and snow chains. A Spare bulb kit is recommended.

In  terms of general driving habaits the following are worth noting. In built-up areas give way to traffic coming from the right “Priorité a droite”. At signed roundabouts bearing the words "Vous n'avez pas la priorité" or "Cédez le passage" traffic on the roundabout has priority. Where no such sign exists traffic entering the roundabout has priority. Overtaking stationary trams is prohibited when passengers are either getting or off the tram. In built up areas the use of the horn is prohibited except in cases of immediate danger.

The team at European Breakdown Cover hope that this information has been useful and wish you "Bon Voyage" on your next trip to France

Flash floods triggered by days of heavy rain have killed at least four people, forced mass evacuations and cut off power to thousands in central Europe and weather forecasts offered no hope of respite in coming days.

In southern Poland, one woman in her 60s and a 45-year-old man perished on Monday in separate incidents after being washed away by flood waters, officials and local media reported.

The Polish interior ministry said it expected to evacuate up to 2,000 people from their homes as floods submerged fields, roads and some railway lines.

A 69-year-old woman also died on Monday in the neighboring Czech Republic where hundreds had to be evacuated, including 90 from a hospital in the town of Bohumin, Czech media reported.

More than 10,000 customers of Czech CEZ were left without power after trees fell on power lines in strong winds, and five railway lines and about 50 roads were shut. Parts of southern Poland also suffered power cuts.

More than 2,000 people were forced from their homes in northern Hungary as heavy weekend rains blocked off villages and cut power supplies. One man was killed there on Sunday after an earth wall collapsed onto a house.

In Hungary's third-biggest city of Miskolc, the mayor imposed emergency tap water restrictions and residents were building makeshift dams using logs, rocks and debris.

"It's hard to predict when the situation will normalize because of the weather. We have not seen such floods in the valleys of the (rivers) Sajo and Hernad since 1974," said Csaba Csont, a spokesman for the water management authority in northern Hungary.

In Slovakia, the government deployed troops alongside emergency services in the worst affected areas in the east and northwest of the country.

Volcanic ash, BA Strikes, cost of the Euro, all of these are factors which mean that more holidymakers are looking to take their cars with them on holiday this year and this is putting a heavy demand on the Cross Channel services.

Holiday makers choosing to drive abroad this summer need to be prepared for all eventualities and this includes ensuring they have good coverage for both vehicle breakdowns and accidents. These types of incident are stressful enough when you breakdown close to home but when you potentially are over a thousand miles away then the stress levels can be through the roof. The team at European Breakdown Cover always advise that you dont skimp on cover and ensure that you have a policy which covers vehicle repatraition, replacement car hire, replacement driver and overnight accommodation if needs be as an absolute must. European Breakdown Cover is not one of those items that can be forgotten, there are no back ups such as the EHIC medical card which could be used in a medical emergency in place of travel insurance. If it all goes wrong you really are stranded and looking at bills into the hundreds of pounds.

The team at www.european-breakdown-cover.com are pleased to announce that at the end of May they will be launching a new combined UK Domestic and European Annual Multi trip breakdown cover policy.

This policy will provide users with UK Local, National and Home Start cover coupled with European Cover for durations up to 90 days. Prices are yet to be released but early indicators are that the policy will be significantly cheaper than the RAC and AA.  

Following months of work the new www.european-breakdown-cover.com site launches on Wednesday the 12th of May 2010 ready for Summer bookings.

The site has been significantly remodelled to include extra useful information for travellers taking their vehicles to Europe. This site is a dedicated European Break Down Cover portal and features single trip european breakdown cover and annual multitrip european breakdown cover policies from a wide range of suppliers. The site content also has been configured to become an information source and driving information and tips on over 42 European countries has been included.

As a launch incentive prices have been reduced and cover can be provided from only £8 for single trip European Breakdown cover and £65 for an annaul multitrip European Breakdown cover policy.