Mention has been made that,as of the first of this month, triangles and vests would be mandatory in France and some reports stated that the triangles should be illuminated as well as reflective. Does anyone have any info. on this ? I did see a notice in a French supermarket motoring section a few days ago which, as far as I understood, said that enforcement would be delayed until October but made no mention about reflective/illuminated requirements.
France - warning triangles and hi-vis vests.
- Thread starter MikeJE
- Start date
There are lots of previous threads on this topic - but basically triangles don't need to be illuminated, unless your vehicle doesn't have hazard warning lights. The driver, and anyone else who leaves the car after an incident must have a high-viz vest - so it makes sense to have one for each person in the car, as it's much safer to get out and stand behind barriers, or well-away from the car in the event of an accident or breakdown.
If you're towing, then to be safe you'll need three triangles! The rationale for this is that should you breakdown and have to leave your caravan somewhere you'll need a triangle behind and in front of the caravan, then you'll still need to carry a triangle in the car, just in case the car breaks down or is involved in an accident.
If you're towing, then to be safe you'll need three triangles! The rationale for this is that should you breakdown and have to leave your caravan somewhere you'll need a triangle behind and in front of the caravan, then you'll still need to carry a triangle in the car, just in case the car breaks down or is involved in an accident.
I am in the Vendee at the moment, we travelled down last Saturday morning and we couldn't believe how many French people were out of their cars with no jackets on not one driver had a jacket on.
Allyson
Allyson
According to several French caravannning Magazines I read while away, this law was mandatory from the 1st of July.
No mention was made of illuminated triangles!
No mention was made of illuminated triangles!
Presumably warning triangles with bulbs and a power source capable of being lit up to make them visible in the dark. I have seen one such device but only the one.
I had an email from riversway leisure informing me that this new law was not coming into effect until 1st October 2008.
Denise.
Denise.
No, I have read 1st July in every piece of information that I have read. And there was no mention of illuminated warning triangles. There is no standard to cover illuminated triangles so the French cannot enforce such a thing. It may be a confusion with the requirement to leave the sidelights on.
The official French website
http://www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/vos-infos/presse/communiques/2-2008/CP_14-04-08.html
states that 'Sanctions applicable au 1st October 2008' which presumably means that they are allowing some leeway for everyone to get equipped with the required vests and triangles, prior to 1st October, before fining anyone for contraventions, even though the law was passed to apply from lst July.
http://www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/vos-infos/presse/communiques/2-2008/CP_14-04-08.html
states that 'Sanctions applicable au 1st October 2008' which presumably means that they are allowing some leeway for everyone to get equipped with the required vests and triangles, prior to 1st October, before fining anyone for contraventions, even though the law was passed to apply from lst July.
That means that the law has been in effect since 1st July, but fines will not be imposed before 1st October.
I have a hi vis bag which houses vest inside my car. Have had them for a while always leave in the car even in UK. Not because of any law but, because I think it's an excellent idea, especially in the dark.
Just to clarify here - and confirmed by both the AA and the Caravan Club - is that hi-viz vests are only mandatory for French registered vehicles. It is, as yet, unclear whether the law applies to visitors - albeit they are probably a good idea given the way the French drive!
And like as not in the usual way the French will observe the law or not as it suits them.
Just back from month in France and can only urge anyone travelling to carry the high-viz vests. We came across a bad traffic accident in Burgurgundy and all those who were assisting had jackets on,(police and ambulance had not yet arrived)So sensible, all easily seen either directing traffic, trying to help the injured etc. Think it should be compulsory in G.B.too.
Ikea have them at very keen prices,but also available at French service stations albeit more exoensive.
Ikea have them at very keen prices,but also available at French service stations albeit more exoensive.
Just to contradict Woody's comments, further up the thread, this is a translation directly from the French Government website
This obligation relates to the drivers of vehicles registered in France, just as it does to the drivers of foreign vehicles circulating in France. On the other hand, it does not apply to the drivers of vehicles with two or three wheels and not-fitted with body quadricycles with engine.
I'm not sure why the Caravan Club and AA are stating otherwise because it appears to be quite clear.
This obligation relates to the drivers of vehicles registered in France, just as it does to the drivers of foreign vehicles circulating in France. On the other hand, it does not apply to the drivers of vehicles with two or three wheels and not-fitted with body quadricycles with engine.
I'm not sure why the Caravan Club and AA are stating otherwise because it appears to be quite clear.
Just to contradict Woody's comments, further up the thread, this is a translation directly from the French Government website
This obligation relates to the drivers of vehicles registered in France, just as it does to the drivers of foreign vehicles circulating in France. On the other hand, it does not apply to the drivers of vehicles with two or three wheels and not-fitted with body quadricycles with engine.
And this was actually added to the AA website on 18th July:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.
I'm not sure why the Caravan Club are stating otherwise because it appears to be quite clear.
For the price of a high vis jacket and a triangle is it worth arguing whether they are law or not?
Better save than sorry - why do you think roadworkers wear them?
To be seen surely not just to comply with local laws.
Better save than sorry - why do you think roadworkers wear them?
To be seen surely not just to comply with local laws.
I agree Jonathan. We've always carried five vests with us, (one for each potential passenger). My OH works on the railways sometimes, and has had to wear a high-viz vest for many years, so to us it just makes sense to have them in the car, just in case.
Our local 'cheapo' shop is selling them for just
Our local 'cheapo' shop is selling them for just
Val A. As a P.S. to your local cheapo shop selling vests, from time to time Poundland sells triangles for - yes
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