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France: Getting Ugly, Time To Immigrate? |
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File under France Opinion
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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When we first came to France, we came because of the freedom, specially for motorcycle riders. Obviously some of the plus points were the beauty of the country, and the great food. But the freedom, the French "laissez-faire" was what interested us most.
But that attitude of letting people do what they want to do is slowly disappearing. The government's stance towards motorcycles is getting stricter and stricter.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister of France, Francois Fillon, announced a new series of preventive repression measures, some for general vehicles, some targeted towards PTWPowered Two Wheel - motorcyles, scooters, mopeds.
Radars
First, they are going to place some 800 new fixed radars, but now they're not going to get a warning road sign, telling you there's a radar up ahead. Coupled with the average speed cameras (in 2011), this is going to force vehicles to a dead slow, since if a speed limit is set at 130 kph, people will be going at 110 kph since they are afraid that their speedometer is wrong, or that they go slightly over the limit, so they play it safe. I see this happen every time there's a radar up ahead.
The current 400 meters advance warning for fixed radars will become around 1 kilometer.
Technical Inspection
After having stated that motorcycles will not be required to have a mandatory technical test after 5 years (MOT style test), they are now back-pedalling and will make it a law. They think that with the technical test (after 5 years, your motorcycle must be tested every year) will stop people from removing the 100 hp restrictors. Technical inspection on motorcycles is a waste of time, money and effort. According to an extensive study of motorcycle accidents, only 1% of these accidents were caused by faulty motorcycles (source: MAIDS  ) ! 1%!!!
Mopeds (ie 50 cc) will require a twice-a-year inspection, since these 2-wheelers are plagued by noisy exhausts and souped-up engines. It will cost €30 per inspection, meaning that kids will no longer be able to afford mopeds, and will ride illegally. It's the poor people who will suffer.
Vehicle Confiscation
In the case of speeding at high speeds (usually +50 kph over the limit), very high alcohol content or getting caught speeding or DUIDriving Under Influence. Drinking and driving. several times, will automatically involve the confiscation of the vehicle.
Positive Measures
Education
On the positive side of the new measures, they are going to increase the education at schools (high school) on traffic rules and respect. They are also increasing the mandatory training for car drivers who are switching to a 125cc motorcycle, from 3 hours to 7 hours. There's no exam involved, just 7 hours of lessons.
Road signs
Another positive measure is that all materials used for road signs and lights will become less hard, i.o.w., softer material in case of an accident on a motorcycle.
Verdict
All-in-all, it's bad. With all sorts of repression going on, vehicles in general, motorcycle specifically, it's becoming less and less fun riding in France. At least I live in a rural area with very few cops, so I'll be safe for a while, unless I have to travel to Paris.
Repression never works! Getting people to slow down is good, but it should be through education. Reducing road deaths is a good target, but not by making life impossible. But then we all know that it's got nothing to do with these "noble" causes; it's all about money. Lots of money!
The already announced protest rides throughout France on the 13th of March are going to become more important. They more people participating, the stronger the message to the politicians.
If I'm going to immigrate, is there still a country out there that is fun? Or has the whole world gone to hell in a basket?
Via: FFMC
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