staying safe on the roads on holiday in france

Drive on the right

Yes, I no its obvious but it is the cause of many accidents each year. Its often after a few days of driving on the right, especially when you're tired returning from your day out walking, that you pull out of a small car park onto a rural lane and go into auto-pilate - And before you know it, you're playing chicken with a 12 ton lorry! Make yourself a reminder if you think you may forget.

Walk on the left

Just as you drive on the right, so when you have to walk along a road on your walking holiday, you need to face the traffic, and therefore walk on the left hand side.

Priority on the right

In France when you enter a built-up area, and typically not on main through roads, then you will need to give priority to the right. This is not easy to remember (for the French as well as foreigners!) as it is more and more uncommon. This gives the right of way to motorists turning onto the road you are on, and in the direction you are travelling, from the right. You will need to give priority when there are no markings on the road coming from the right, such as those that would indicate that this other person should give way or stop. If in doubt, give way - atleast you'll only get funny looks or beeped at.

Pay attention to pedestrians at traffic lights and roundabouts

Yes I know you're very careful, but in France you'll need to be extra careful, as pedestrians trying to cross the road are given less help by the crossing system and by French motorists (although I have found that unfortunately this does seem to spread to non-French people residen tin France as well- sorry - when in Rome and all that!). Anyway, at traffic lights at a t-junction or cross-roads, when you have a green light and turn left or right, the pedestrians crossing these roads will have a green man light and therefore priority. Make sure that you're aware of pedestrians trying to cross the road and of other cars who pull away from the green lights and then almost immediately stop to let people cross. I'm sure you don't want to practice your pigeon French on trying to fill out an accident report form! There are very few pedestrian crossings which stop the traffic completely to allow pedestrians to walk across the road.

Pedestrian crossings are numerous in France, sometimes so much so that there's as much white as black on the road. However, they are rarely marked with anything at each end and often have no central island. Drivers often don't stop - so don't just start walking - unless you're feeling very brave that is. (I should point out that the French pedestrians don't help themselves by crossing at the rare points along the road with no zebra crossing). Lastly, the French often put crossings just at the exit from roundabouts, the point at which most drivers are looking to accelerate, so take extra care as both a motorist and walker.

What you need to have with you in France

When driving in France you'll need a full driving licence, insurance and car registration documents. You also need to have with you a warning triangle, headlight adapters to driving on the right, and a sticker showing your country of origin.

Slow down when its raining

It's the law. In rainy conditions speed limits are reduced by 10kmph except on the motorway, where it reduces by 20kmph from 130 to 110kmph.

Towns and villages

Ever wondered why France has signs syaing when you've left a village? It's not because you may have missed some amazing architectural gem and you should do a quick u-turn but because it indicates that the general 50kmph speed limit which applies in built up areas no longer applies. So be warned, keep below 50kmph until you see the sign and not before.