New French traffic law

[derekpara]

Not a question but knowing that it's open season on the British for the French police I thought the following information might be useful if you are travelling in France.

From 1st July 2008 it has been compulsory to have a reflective jacket in any vehicle with four or more wheels.. In an emergency the jacket must be easily accessible by the driver and must be put on before leaving the car, day or night, regardless of visibilty. As of 1 October 2008, any person found not complying will face a fine of up to 135 Euros.

[Playbill]

I do not think the French will be picking on just the British, but anyone not carrying a reflective jacket. I am going to France in a couple of weeks, but have kept such a jacket in my car for several years - and used it as well when changing a wheel by the roadside.
These things cost less than �5.00 and take up virtually no room. I have two new spare jackets in the boot along with a fire extinguisher and warning triangle - also compulsory in France I believe.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

we know,its old hat now

[derekpara]

How do you know that 'we' all know, Norman. Speak for yourself.

[~max~]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat??? Is it true?

I'm off to phone mum and step dad then!

[Postdog]

I have no intention of driving in France ever but I knew all that.

[~max~]

yup, just confirmed it here:

http://www.easydroit.fr/code-de-la-route/les-v ehicules/gilet.htm

Link is in French, sorry!

Only compulsory equipment: the jacket and the triangle, as well as a box of spare bulbs.

[derekpara]

I know that most drivers were aware of the requirement to carry reflective vests in their car whilst in France, but most people, I expect, carried them in the boot. I've been carrying them in the boot (one for each occupant) for the past four years. That's all right if you've got very long arms, but it is now safer to keep them ,say, under the seats.

And I make no apologies for passing on information that might save even only one driver who might not be in the know, from being penalised

[~max~]

Derek, I'm French, and I'd never heard of it. Admittingly I live in the UK, but my parents are in France, and they might not know. So I'll pass the info on, thanks for that!

[ChuckFickens]

I also didn't know it had to be easily accessible, I will pass the information on to everyone I know that drives on the continent because I know they all keep the "kit" in the boot

carrying a hi-vis does just make sense though, if you have ever had to change a wheel at the side of the road you feel a lot safer with one on, I also always carry a couple but again mine are also in the boot (along with a hard hat, but no idea where that even came from)

[~max~]

Might have been your last Village People performance down at the local pub, Chuck....

[Paul22118]

B & Q, �4.97p

[dundurn]

Triangle and reflective vest, great ideas. Extinguisher also, but I wish car manufacturers installed them as standard so we could have proper attachment points. I always used to carry a spare set of bulbs (even in the UK) but my latest car needs a hydraulic ramp, a complete set of tools and a degree in origami to change the simplest bulb so I relly don't see what good carrying the spares will do.