24 replies to this topic

[gregers]

measure twice cut once

just had to post something to get it started

[Gteuk]

Remember to take into account the width if the saw when cutting, especially when using rip saws

[nikdb]

If your not sure get someone else to do it

[stevo p]

Dont forget to drive on the right hand side of the road.

Edited by JoeBlunt, 16 February 2012 - 01:23 AM.
Quote Removed

[stimulator]

make sure that you go by ferry or the tunnel as the bridge isn't open yet

[Border_Collie]

any tips on driving in france

The MOST important thing is the Priority Right where traffic coming from side turnings have priority (Priorty Droit) and can, and do, drive straight out into your path. When you see the yellow diamond sign, edged in white, with a black diagonal line across it, make sure you slow right down when approching a turning on the right and double check all is clear. These are now mainly in City's, Towns, Villages and Hamlets. If however the above mentioned sign has no black diagonal line then you drive as normal as you would here.

Another thing to look out for is there are no speed limit signs shown for Villages and Hamlets, the village name sign idicates you are entering a 50kph limit, when you get to the other end it wall have another name sign with a black diagonal line which means you are back to 90kph. I've noticed more and more there is a speed limit sign, usually 70kph, some distance before reaching the Village/Hamlet and occasionally there will be a sign the other end should the limit be lower than 90kph.

Stick to speed limits, the Gendarmes have fun setting up almost everywhere and use annoying tactics e.g. A rusty old corrugated Citroen or Ranault van, either jacked up with a wheel off or maybe the bonnet up apparently broken down BUT it has a camera inside.

Should you get stopped by the Gendarmes, for one reason or another, don't argue with them, they are right even if they are wrong. If you have no money to pay an on the spot fine they will drive you to the nearest bank or 'hole-in-the wall', take your money and then leave you there to make your own way back. (B******s!!!).

Double check the latest information I've received from my French friends.

Yellow vests must be worn if you get out of your car on a motorway. There must be one yellow vest for each passenger and keep them in the car, the boots no good because if you have to get out to go to the boot you won't be wearing a vest.

Tyres must not be more than six years old, regardless of how much tread they have. Not sure if this rule is in yet or coming later this year.

Everyone must have a breathalyser in the car to check if they are over the limit before driving. Again not sure if this applies now or later in the year.

Don't forget a red triangle should you break down. Not compulsory as hazard lights may be used but in the event of a rear end shunt your hazards may not be working.

Spare set of bulbs (Compulsory).

A first aid kit, not compulsory but you are obliged under French law to assist anyone injured in an accident, whether you were involved or not.

Headlamp deflectors, even if all your travel will be in daylight.

Don't forget your insurance 'green card', although no longer issued as a card you need to inform your insurance company.

No longer allowed to have 'speed cameras' on your Sat Nav device. A fine and device confiscated.

I'd recommend travelling via the Channel Tunnel and use their insurance and breakdown cover as it's quite cheap compared to other forms of insurance.

Can't think of anything else at the moment but will add below, in red, should anything come to mind.

A simple way to mentally convert kph to mph is ignore the zero and multiply by six. e.g. 50kph, ignore 0 =5 multiplied by 6 = 30mph, 110kph = 11 times 6 =66.

The worst bit about driving to France is on your return to England and the M20.

Sit back and enjoy the, most of the time, empty roads, it spoils you.

Good luck and enjoy. (How far are you travelling in France?)

More reading here > http://wikitravel.or...iving_in_France

Oh, nearly forgot, you will come across 45kph (27mph) signs when approaching schools and some 30kph (18mph) in some residential areas, the Police are very strict with thes limits so be careful. Also a STOP sign means STOP, if your wheels don't come to a halt the police will give you an on the spot fine.

When overtaking on the Autoroutes or Motorways, keep your indicator on until you pull back in. If, as here, you indicate to overtake then switch the indicator off, your rear view mirror will quickly be filled by someone expectinng you to pull back in.

[John Hellis]

Everyone must have a breathalyser in the car to check if they are over the limit before driving. Again not sure if this applies now or later in the year.

I have been told that you need TWO breathalysers because the police may ask you to test yourself with your breathalyser, then, guess what, they will do you for not having a working one in the car!
What great guys they are

John

[diggy]

learn some french swear words because i have seen how they drive and would make a nun swear lol

[cjem]

The breathalyser comes into force at the begining of July. cjem

[2m00ns]

Hi wise one. I'm in the same boat. Just starting today& no idea yet how this thing works. It all seems really complicated for a question and answer forum. Well good luck

[2m00ns]

A great maintenance tip.
Spray your indicator light stalk and wiper switch with WD40 while gently operating the switches. This will double the life expectancy of the switches. These switches contain multiple complicated contacts and levers, if one sticks it can cause no end of problems that you may not relate to the associated switch. I was recently quoted £350.00+ because I was experiencing my dipped headlights coming on in the day on their own. A sympathetic auto electrician volunteered this info. It not only cured the self operating light it also fixed a dimming problem that I had on the dashboard. Cost 0.00 I borrowed the WD40 from my brother. Good result or what?

[Lancelot]

Did someone leave the asylum door open again?

[mcdig]

Lance, he has been banned.

[mikkisned]

I noticed on my 04 pic you can change speed from mph into kph

[Lancelot]

Change it and scare your passengers, at 60 mph they'll think you are doing 96.

[stimulator]

if you really want to go metric then the gallons appear in litres too and the litres/100km reads zero when the car is on the overrun (diesel do anyway)

[Border_Collie]

Change it and scare your passengers, at 60 mph they'll think you are doing 96.

 

My mate had told me the 90bhp Pics were slow, so last time I was in France I set to kph and took a photo of the clock showing 134, He said he hadn't realised Pics, which he thought was showing mph, would go that fast. 

[Lancelot]

Not certain but believe that my 2tr petrol is listed with top speed 118 mph.