Driving in France

Sanctions for violating the Highway Code (Code de la Route ) have been strictly applied since 2002, including the drinking and driving law and the recent driving under- the-influence-of-drugs law. Road deaths have as a result been reduced remarkably by 20 per cent. A discernible change in drinking and driving habits is gaining ground, mainly because of the fines (amendes) incurred and points penalty system and not because drivers are prepared to accept the idea that speeding and/or drinking and driving are dangerous. Supposedly intelligent people still claim that they know how to handle their drink even though scientific evidence shows that reaction time is impaired. Others claim that the application of the democratically voted law is an infringement of their personal liberty. Late-night drivers in quiet rural areas, particularly in the 18-25 age group, still take risks forgetting that other drivers may be on the roads.

Respect the regulations and be wary of other drivers, cyclists, adolescents on motor scooters and pedestrians. Pedestrians who have never driven are sometimes quite oblivious to crossing roads safely. Particular driving and pedestrian situations to be wary of are:

Traffic lights. Pedestrians crossing when they are green for drivers. Drivers going through red lights or not knowing when they turn to green because they've braked at the last moment and have partly overshot the lights.
Pedestrian crossings. Being on the pavement as a pedestrian giving a definite indication that you want to cross does not mean that cars will stop. Being on the pedestrian crossing is no guarantee either. However, anyone pushing a pram or pushchair will invariably get cars to stop. You may even be insulted as an adult - minus pushchair or pram - if you don't acknowledge the 'courtesy' of drivers when they do stop or slow down so that you can cross. As a driver give the person behind you plenty of time to stop when you stop at pedestrian crossings. The same applies for traffic lights.
Motorways. Occasionally two motorways merge without a 'give way' indication. Best to get on the overtaking lane ie the left-hand lane if you're on the motorway to the left, thus avoiding the lanes which merge, and if you're on the motorway to the right, move over to the right-hand lane. Remember when overtaking on motorways to pull back in to the right-hand lane as soon as it's safe to do so. Hogging the middle line is an offence. Give yourself plenty of time to slow down before taking a motorway exit. Motorway speed signs drop quickly from 130 kph to exit road and urban 50 kph signs. Exit roads often have tight bends as well.
Towns. 50 kph is the maximum speed permitted in urban areas. Well signposted, this may drop suddenly to 30 kph, which will be signposted, near schools, hospitals, public parks, etc. Don't get caught out if you don't know the area.
Shopping centre car parks. There is no official right of way in these car parks. What should be a no-hassle driving area can be the scene of minor incidents as bad driving habits come into their own. No one can say who is right or wrong unless a one-way sign is not respected. The standard Constat Européen de déclaration d'accident form (the standard car insurance accident declaration form to be completed and signed by drivers involved in a minor accident) has little weight here. Grab witnesses.
Keep your distance. With so many people driving up to or exceeding the speed limits, and overtaking drivers who are below these speeds, it is difficult to keep an emergency-stop safe distance between cars in front of and behind you. Watch out also for temporary postmen filling in during the holiday season, steering their mopeds with one hand, answering their mobile phones and looking for addresses, simultaneously! On a positive note, you are unlikely to get stuck behind smelly dustcarts during the day. Most collections are done around dawn.
Roundabouts. These have flourished in recent years and urban area roundabouts seem to be in perpetual competition for the roundabout with the most flourishing- and-highest-plants-and flowers award. Small drivers in Minis have a problem seeing what's coming onto the opposite entrance to the roundabout. Elderly French drivers once on a roundabout often still give way to traffic coming onto the roundabout from the right. Old habits die hard. Traffic on the roundabout has right of way.