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From 1 July 2008 you will need to carry both a warning triangle and a hi-viz jacket in your car in France – and in the event of a breakdown or accident you must also switch on your hazard warning flashers.
The warning triangle must be placed 30 metres back from the vehicle in the direction from which traffic is approaching.
Personally I have my doubts about the triangle, but the hi-viz vest is a useful small and light safety precaution which should ensure that you are seen in the dark or poor visibility.
(Both items can be purchased in the UK from www.raymac.co.uk)
In other French road news, there are plans to change the style of French number plates from 2009, losing the last 2 numbers which indicate the departement of origin. This the cause of some protest in the French regions, and will be a blow to many British parents who will no longer be able to divert their child passengers on long journeys with the game of “where does that car come from?”
We have arranged with RAYMAC a special offer of a WARNING TRIANGLE + A HI-VISIBILITY VEST FOR JUST £9.99 PLUS VAT AND DELIVERY (usual price for the Warning Triangle alone is over £10) - CLICK HERE FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER
UPDATE: Thanks to Albert, we have been able to clarify that the requirement for a warning triangle and hi-viz vest does not apply to motorcycles - and whilst stowing and carrying a warning triangle could be difficult for a motorcycle, a high viz vest might be a good idea - very lightweight and taking up little room, a vest would give you great visibility if you were to break down at night.
For more info (in French) see www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/
July 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
This info is good for when I take my car, but I’m going on my motorcycle next week - I know I’ve got to have the jacket, but I’m getting conflicting info ref the triangle - some say I have to have one, some say not. What is the answer? Where do you put one on a bike? If anyone can get the right answer to me within a week, it would be appreciated.
August 23rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I am going to france and want to check up on driving laws.
some sites are saying you must have spare bulbs, others are saying only recommended.
I saw a report on tv where a british motorised was fine for having a radar detector,
and yet one site on french law was supporting an add from google to buy one!!
also very concern about right of way, everyone tells me if your on a roundabout “you have to give way to cars entering it” but only one site talks about this and say you give way to the left.
and the same for cars coming out from side roads have right a way over cars already on the road.
no sites seem to make these rules clear. can you help?
many thanks….Den