New 80kmh Speed Limits in France
What speed is 80 kilometres per hour (80kph) in miles per hour (mph)?
49.7mph is the new reduced speed limit imposed upon 400,000km of French roads from July 1st 2018.
Mathematically it now takes 9 minutes longer to drive 100km on French single carriageway roads, so not a big deal.
What roads are affected by the new speed limits in France?
All single carriageway roads in France that were formally 90kph are now restricted to 80kp/h unless other speed restrictions are in force.
Dual carriageway roads with some sort of physical separation can be 110kph or 130kph if no restrictions are in force.
Toll motorways in France (peage autoroutes) are not affected by the new French speed limits. Perhaps that will motivate more car and truck drivers to pay their way through France.
Andy, who commented below, also provided the following information: "...travelling on a long section of three lane road yesterday between La Rochelle and Saumur, that alternated two lanes at regular intervals, at the start of EVERY two lane section was a brand new 90kph sign and where it reverted back to a single lane another brand new 80kph sign! The signing was identical in both directions and ALL of the signs were clearly brand new."
I strongly recommend taking the road speed limit test in France, which you can find halfway down the Code de la Route page linked to below. Code de la Route is the name of the French Highway Code and the page was updated June 29, 2018.
https://www.codedelaroute.fr/infos-pratiques/actualite/passage-routes-secondaires-80-km-h-299.html
Your browser will block some content and my give warnings. I tested the page on Norton and Google and both stated the page was safe. Let me know in the comments below if you know differently.
Where are the most dangerous places to drive in France?
According to the French Road Traffic Accidents National Database, 64% of fatal accidents happened on rural roads in 2016. However, to answer the question: anywhere! Police noted that speed was a factor in 32% of fatal accidents and alcohol in 20%. 13% of deaths were attributed to priority not being given, presumably not giving way.
Jay walking is legal in France when not accompanied by a zebra!
Drivers should give way to pedestrians who show intent to cross a road unless there is an official crossing point less than 50m away. On the spot fines can be issued if this is ignored. Extra steps will be taken to protect pedestrians to try to reduce the 500 deaths each year.
Will reduced speeds on French roads be the death of RTAs?
In 2016 57,251 people were injured on French roads, half of whom were hospitalised.
The French government hopes to cut road fatalities down to 2000 by 2020 and the new reduced speeds are part of the plan. Along with reduced speeds, there will be alternative penalties for drunk drivers and drivers using mobile phones. If they get it right 1,500 fewer people will die on French roads compared to 2016.
In 2016 there were 3,469 fatal accidents in France and 1,792 in Great Britain; according to the respective government statistics.
Both countries have almost the same population and numbers of cars. Crucially, European stats show that road deaths occur more in rural areas and France is approximately 2.6 times the size of the UK. Logically, reducing speed on rural roads will result in fewer deaths, but will the French slow down?
Vicarious View: Driving in France
On average, we have driven 10,000 miles all over France every year since 2007. Ironically, we prefer rural roads because we don’t have to look at the back of a truck so often. Needless to say, we have seen many cars in ditches and other signs of accidents and have had to take evasive action on too many occasions. We have thoroughly learnt French driving and the following will help you stay safe whist driving in France.
French driving style in general
Typically, French car drivers observe speed limits in built up areas and other areas of increased risk but are likely to speed along low risk road sections. Horns are almost never used.
Emotions are almost never shown, neither thanks nor anger.
Lack of forethought is frequently observed in areas of low volume traffic.
French driving style in towns and villages
Most drivers observe speed limits once in densely populated areas.
Joining roundabouts at speed is normal and tiny gaps are considered big enough.
Most traffic lights are badly programmed and lack traffic control sensors.
Priority to the right can be in use at the most unexpected locations country wide. Always look for side road signs and road markings when you have none. Beware of erratic driving near any boulangerie.
Driving style on main roads in France
Police speed traps are common. Oncoming vehicles may flash, but they do the same if there is an obstruction in the road ahead.
Joining roundabouts at speed is normal and tiny gaps are considered big enough.
Last minute overtaking is common.
Slow drivers always speed up for good overtaking sections and dual carriageways.
Driving style on country lanes
It is normal to continue at speed towards each other making use of the verge to make up the road.
On twisty sections expect oncoming cars and motorcyclists’ heads to be on the wrong side of the road.
Beware of junctions marked with an X because no priority will be given.
Driving style on motorways and dual carriageways
Vehicles joining by slip road are mostly ignored, so accelerate or brake as necessary.
Slip roads are often short leading onto tight bends.
Town sections often have junctions with shared entry and exit slipways that are far too short.
Expect racing style overtaking even when there is no other traffic behind you.
It is common for overtaking cars to straddle the white line or hug it during overtaking.
Driving style of French truck drivers
Truck drivers have always driven at 90kph wherever they can, legally or not.
Truck drivers often indicate left when going straight on at roundabouts.
Agricultural vehicles
Beware of oncoming tractors because they or their equipment can be very wide and frustrated car drivers often make poor overtaking choices.
Tractor drivers hardly ever pull over to allow for safe overtaking no matter how much traffic has built up behind them.
Drunk driving in France
Be aware of drunk drivers after lunch, especially at weekends, and after any major sporting event or during national holidays.
19 comments
Over many years driving in France I have often wondered if they have an actual driving test! They are the worst drivers on the continent, by far, rarely using indicators, I’m not too sure if they are even fitted, they always seem to wait for a bend or brow of a hill to overtake after tailgating you for miles, and worse they don’t change down to accelerate. I have had to brake many times to let them in. Why can’t someone stop the absurd priority from the right, it’s totaly 100% dangerous, even locals are nervous which makes it worse. Finally am I the only one that cannot work out which exit on a roundabout the French are going to take? Still love it there though. Michae Hassell
Many thanks for this illuminating information, we heard about this from French friends but have seen very little I about it on the news. Having driven extensively in France, we completely agree with your comments!
I would rate French drivers as one of worst bunch in the world .I would say that the new 80 km limit probably won’t make much difference to the accident figures. On reflection the Spanish can’t be far behind!
Paul Clewarth.
Firstly my understanding from internet research and enquiries made with 2 French driver friends is that the 80kph limit applies on dual carriegeways that do not have a central barrier.
Another fact worth mentioning for French roads is the new minimum distance between vehicles to avoid rear end shunts caused by tailgating, at 50kmh distance is 30M and I believe from memory 50M at 80kmh.
Further to the above you will need to have a Clean Air Vignette to drive through Paris this year, they are cheap to buy from the French motoring authority but allow 6 weeks for delivery by post. This is a similar scheme to that which has been operating in some German cities for a few years and we are all aware of the London clean air requirements.