France: New Average Speed Camera To Go In Operation from Bikes in the Fast Lane

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France: New Average Speed Camera To Go In Operation

January
2010

  File under France Travel
  Author: Mike Werner
  Location: Normandy, France

Not having had enough, or maybe they just got addicted, the French government has decided that installing speed radars alongside the roads just wasn't generating enough cash. Since they advertise when a radar is about to come up on the road, not only telling you there's a radar up ahead, but also what speed you should be riding your motorcycle at, people have become knowledgeable.

It's not exactly rocket science. See a sign advertising a speed radar up ahead, throttle down, pass the radar slightly lower than the authorized speed (you never know), and when you passed the radar, open throttle.

Well, that is about the change. Now the French government is going to place two radars, separated by several 10's of kilometers, and calculate the average speed. If it's above the authorized speed limit, you can expect a really nice letter from the government, telling you to buy a photo of you and your motorcycle (or car), and pass some of your hard earning dosh to them.

We still have some time to get used to the idea. They expect the first machines around the 2nd quarter of the year. In the mean time, they have been testing the system on a portion of the A10 motorway. No fines are generated, but you are warned by a sign that you where riding too fast.

So there's no escaping. These dual radars will not only be placed on motorways, but also country lanes. Officially, it's because the government wants to go below the 3,000 road deaths per year. Unofficially, it's obvious.... money.