Well, I made it all the way there and all the way back!
Paris was fun. Especially when I realised that the big building ahead of me was the Arc de Triomphe (sp?) and the satnag was saying "At the roundabout ahead, take the ninth exit.." Only got hooted once, and that was for being not aggressive enough.
Aren't the motorways lovely! Plenty of space and an eighty-something limit in the dry. Funnily, I actually drove more slowly in the higher limit, even once I felt confident. A normal 90mph cruise seemed less worthwhile when half the "benefit" gained in return for the risk has gone. I just set the cruise for 130kph and waited for Paris/Calais. Only a few % of drivers exceeded 130kph, as opposed to the majority here who exceed 70mph. A lesson for the DoT somewhere there, methinks.
I've also re-discovered what lane discipline means! People move back in after overtaking. How strange.
I did get used to being on the right. After all, at first it was all motorway work so I just had to stay in the extreme right hand lane and overtake on the left. Been driving BMWs for years, so no problems there....
Anyway, a little adventure and great fun. Must try again sometime.
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Paris was fun. Especially when I realised that the big building ahead of me was the Arc de Triomphe (sp?) and the satnag was saying "At the roundabout ahead, take the ninth exit.." Only got hooted once, and that was for being not aggressive enough.
It always sounds deeply scary, but as a teenager I did it on my pedal-bike in the rush-hour, and found it very manageable, although I did have to go around about ten times to wind my way through to the centre!
I did get used to being on the right. After all, at first it was all motorway work so I just had to stay in the extreme right hand lane and overtake on the left. Been driving BMWs for years, so no problems there....
Maybe they should have separate signs at the French ports for BMW drivers, saying "conduire a gauche", with a blue propellor background ...
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Only afew % of drivers exceeded 130kph, as opposed to the majority here who exceed 70mph. A lesson for the DoT somewhere there, methinks.
The lesson for the DfT may be one that we won't welcome. Until last year 140-150 was commonplace. "Controles radar frequents" now means exactly that, no 10% plus 1mph margin and penalty payable on the spot.
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There were plenty of gendarmes cars by the side of the road, evidently looking for speeders. But, generally, drivers were disciplined and the average speed was distinctly less than here.
My analysis was that the potential extra 10mph to be gained was not enough to outweigh the risk of prosecution. Here, the 20-30mph extra that can be obtained is worth the risk. So whereas in the absence of any speed limit I might cruise at 95ish mph, in France I voluntarily cut this down to 130kph and was happy. Here, 70 in the dry is too much to ask, so (like many others) I drive as if there were no limit.
Now, when I drive as if there were no limit, I might do so at 85-95 depending on the conditions. Others seem to have a higher opinion of their abilities. Hence, a higher limit that is more likely to be obeyed actually results in a lower average speed.
True, another lesson that can be learned is that harsh enforcement works. Sadly, experience tells us which of the carrot and the stick the DfT would choose.
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How on earth can it be worth the risk to do an extra 20 - 30 mph here? All you do is reach the next traffic jam a bit quicker.
I (used to) do 90 - 100 whenever poss but that was because I enjoyed doing it, not because it got me there quicker. Since starting IAM training I have been observing speed limits and although my mpg has considerably improved, my journey time hasn't changed much.
Back to topic, I LOVE driving on the continent and often go away on my own for a weekend to do just that. I remember the scary first time, and I still have "moments" when I forget to check the right way, but they are fewer these days. The lane discipline is something to behold. Instead of b***** mindedly slowing and blocking fast approaching cars before moving over, they will (generally) move over, sometimes into tiny spaces, as they realise that if the approaching car doesn't have to lose momentum it will take a brief second to pass.
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How on earth can it be worth the risk to do an extra 20 - 30 mph here?
'cos otherwise you'd be crusing at 70mph, which these days is comfortable in a common or garden secondhand supermini. So you might start wondering why you'd handed over £30K+ for your German überwündermötör which rides like they left the springs out
;-)
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I love driving in France. Loads of space, calm drivers (in rural areas) so happy to keep to sensible speed limits and you get to see some lovely old french iron.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Yep, one of the great things about France is that the relatively uncrowded roads mean that you are rarely held up (OK, I have when roadworks between Calais and Dunkerque, and the Bordeaux prepherique is bad because of changing Pont d'Aquitaine from 2 to 3 lane motorway). This means that you can plan a journey and it usually takes the time you plan. As an example, a few years ago I took my (aged) father to see his old school pal in Besancon and on the way back he did not feel well. With 240 miles to go to Calais I said that we could do it in 3 hours (in my old BX) and avoid another night in France. You'll be lucky said he, but 3 hours later to the minute and driving at 80 mph all the way, we were there. Try doing that on M1/A1 from London to York (ish)Contrast to this weekend - surprise birthday visit to mother - in -law in the Wirral. 120 miles, say about 2 hours would you say? via A50, M6, M56 and M53. 3 and half hours later we arrived. Hold ups due to accident, lane closure on A50 (to protect the work force which turned out to be one man and wheelbarrow on opposite carriageway) and "sheer volume of traffic" on M6. No wonder people have to speed on the clear bits.
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PS patently - glad you enjoyed it and hope you stocked up on the wine and beer!!
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The problem of course is that we have a population about 10% less than France with a land area of less than half. QED - we have greater density of population especially in SE, NW, Midlands and Scotland Central Belt, so always see traffic jams becuase more cars in less space.
Maybe we should all move to France and vote for a more pro UK/USA government!
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Maybe we should all move to France and vote for a more pro UK/USA government!
Why?
So that France can end up overcrowded and run down like the UK, with dinosaur trains instead of TGVs and crumbling, clogged motorways instead of those nice autoroutes?
The things you like about France seem to be precisely that it's not like the UK.
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No, so we can enjoy their benefits whilst still living in the type of place that puts moral duty ahead of self interest.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I usually investigate driving over flying as I reckon door to door is often quicker than a plane, certainly in local Europe, when you take into account check in times, transfers to/from airports and flight delays. Plus you can have your choice of music and you have the convenience of taking as much as you like, bringing back even more and of course having your own car with you for the duration.
Mind you, using the laptop while driving is sometimes tricky!
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How on earth can it be worth the risk to do an extra 20 - 30 mph here? All you do is reach the next traffic jam a bit quicker.
Depends on the journey.
On the M25 in peak time, I would agree with you. But my daily drive is along the M40, which is usually quite clear. So the extra speed doesn't hurry me to the next jam more quickly, it gets me home to spend more time with the little patentlies before they go to bed.
Well worth it, IMHO.
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