Hi All
Does anyone know the legal side of the use of sat-navs with speed camera detection in France?
Lee.C
Does anyone know the legal side of the use of sat-navs with speed camera detection in France?
Lee.C
Sat- Nav Camera detection
- Thread starter Lee.C
- Start date
Satnavs have the location of Speed cameras in their data base, as you approach a camera they warn you of the location of the cmer and of your speed. That is not illegal in France and Via Michelin and other mapping systems will tell you where they are.
Detectors that actually do just that, detecting radar or laser are illegal. French police will smash them and can fine you I believe.
Detectors that actually do just that, detecting radar or laser are illegal. French police will smash them and can fine you I believe.
As a French resident I would say that is about spot on from SS.
Detectors are a strict "no no".
If using sat nav speed cam mapping data make sure you update it or you are wasting your time using it.
Detectors are a strict "no no".
If using sat nav speed cam mapping data make sure you update it or you are wasting your time using it.
You should be warned that its not only speed camera detectors you need to worry about a broad,but even POI are illegal in some places.. be careful.
Jul
IAM study reveals penalties for using safety camera detectors abroad.
Posted by: Faye Sunderland
View all posts in: Fleet news, Latest news
The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) is this month warning motorists to dismantle or remove their safety camera detectors when driving abroad to avoid serious penalties. In some countries, in-car sat nav systems that show where safety cameras are located are also banned.
A survey of motoring clubs across Europe in 23 countries found that only two - the UK and Hungary - permit the use of both camera detectors and POI (points of interest) sat nav systems.
Thirteen countries, including Austria, France and Italy allow POI systems but not camera detection equipment. Camera detection equipment actively detects radar or laser signals from a safety camera or speed gun and alerts the driver to its presence. The IAM Trust has always supported the banning of such equipment because its main use is to allow drivers to speed without fear of detection.
Seven countries prohibit POI systems, including popular tourist destinations such as Ireland, Germany and Switzerland. The POI function is built into many sat nav units and shows the location of fixed safety cameras from information in the unit's CD-ROM database, which can usually be updated. POI systems normally feature information about garages, car parks, shops and other facilities. In most modern units this information can be turned off.
Neil Greig, Director of the IAM Motoring Trust said: "There have been incidents when camera detectors have been literally ripped out by local police. The best thing to do is check if detectors are permitted in the country you plan to visit or simply don't take one with you."
Punishment for using prohibited equipment varies widely from country to country. In Germany a fine of _75 is levied if the sat nav POI function is not switched off. In Switzerland and Ireland your sat nav could be confiscated.
Mr Greig added: "Driving abroad can be an unnerving experience. While away take extra care to observe speed limits in unfamiliar countries. If you planned to rely on your sat nav to give you directions, take a local map as well and plan a route before travelling."
The table below shows which countries allow detectors and which do not.
Country
Point of Interest systems
Camera detection equipment
Austria
Permitted
Prohibited
Belgium
Permitted
Prohibited
Bosnia-Herz.
Prohibited
Prohibited
Bulgaria
Prohibited
Prohibited
Cyprus
Prohibited
Prohibited
Czech Rep.
Prohibited
Prohibited
Denmark
Permitted
Prohibited
Finland
Permitted
Prohibited
France
Permitted
Prohibited
Germany
Prohibited
Prohibited
Hungary
Permitted
Permitted
Ireland
Prohibited
Prohibited
Italy
Permitted
Prohibited
Luxembourg
Permitted
Prohibited
Macedonia
Prohibited
Prohibited
Netherlands
Permitted
Prohibited
Norway
Permitted
Prohibited
Portugal
Permitted
Prohibited
Russia
Permitted
some types permitted
Slovakia
Permitted
Prohibited
Sweden
Permitted
Prohibited
Switzerland
Prohibited
Prohibited
UK
Permitted
legislation in preparation
*Information provided by the AIT / FIA Information Centre (OTA)
Jul
IAM study reveals penalties for using safety camera detectors abroad.
Posted by: Faye Sunderland
View all posts in: Fleet news, Latest news
The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) is this month warning motorists to dismantle or remove their safety camera detectors when driving abroad to avoid serious penalties. In some countries, in-car sat nav systems that show where safety cameras are located are also banned.
A survey of motoring clubs across Europe in 23 countries found that only two - the UK and Hungary - permit the use of both camera detectors and POI (points of interest) sat nav systems.
Thirteen countries, including Austria, France and Italy allow POI systems but not camera detection equipment. Camera detection equipment actively detects radar or laser signals from a safety camera or speed gun and alerts the driver to its presence. The IAM Trust has always supported the banning of such equipment because its main use is to allow drivers to speed without fear of detection.
Seven countries prohibit POI systems, including popular tourist destinations such as Ireland, Germany and Switzerland. The POI function is built into many sat nav units and shows the location of fixed safety cameras from information in the unit's CD-ROM database, which can usually be updated. POI systems normally feature information about garages, car parks, shops and other facilities. In most modern units this information can be turned off.
Neil Greig, Director of the IAM Motoring Trust said: "There have been incidents when camera detectors have been literally ripped out by local police. The best thing to do is check if detectors are permitted in the country you plan to visit or simply don't take one with you."
Punishment for using prohibited equipment varies widely from country to country. In Germany a fine of _75 is levied if the sat nav POI function is not switched off. In Switzerland and Ireland your sat nav could be confiscated.
Mr Greig added: "Driving abroad can be an unnerving experience. While away take extra care to observe speed limits in unfamiliar countries. If you planned to rely on your sat nav to give you directions, take a local map as well and plan a route before travelling."
The table below shows which countries allow detectors and which do not.
Country
Point of Interest systems
Camera detection equipment
Austria
Permitted
Prohibited
Belgium
Permitted
Prohibited
Bosnia-Herz.
Prohibited
Prohibited
Bulgaria
Prohibited
Prohibited
Cyprus
Prohibited
Prohibited
Czech Rep.
Prohibited
Prohibited
Denmark
Permitted
Prohibited
Finland
Permitted
Prohibited
France
Permitted
Prohibited
Germany
Prohibited
Prohibited
Hungary
Permitted
Permitted
Ireland
Prohibited
Prohibited
Italy
Permitted
Prohibited
Luxembourg
Permitted
Prohibited
Macedonia
Prohibited
Prohibited
Netherlands
Permitted
Prohibited
Norway
Permitted
Prohibited
Portugal
Permitted
Prohibited
Russia
Permitted
some types permitted
Slovakia
Permitted
Prohibited
Sweden
Permitted
Prohibited
Switzerland
Prohibited
Prohibited
UK
Permitted
legislation in preparation
*Information provided by the AIT / FIA Information Centre (OTA)
WhilstI understand that camera detection equipment is not allowed in europe & some countries such as switzerland ban camera POI's I am still unsure whether a sat nav unit containing camera POI's of countrys other than those that ban camera POI's is ilegal in switzerland?
I do not wish to remove all camera locations from the sat nav If I travel through swizerland for less than a day but I do not have swiss camera locations on my unit. sorry if this sounds a bit confusing
I do not wish to remove all camera locations from the sat nav If I travel through swizerland for less than a day but I do not have swiss camera locations on my unit. sorry if this sounds a bit confusing
My Garmin stores POI's on a removeable SD card as well as its own memory, one card with speedcam POI and another without them solves the problem ;-)
If all your unit memory is in-built then you may have a problem.
If all your unit memory is in-built then you may have a problem.
Mere possession of speed detector devices is not illegal in Germany, only their use. However, contrary to some of the information above, camera POI's are not illegal as they do not detect, only inform. In fact, quite a number of local radio stations regularly broadcast locations of temporary speed traps. However, this does not apply to Switzerland where camera POI's must be deactivated.
As was said originally there is no legal issue but having toured France for the last two summers I think it would make little difference if you remove all the French speed camera POIs from your Sat Nav as they are so rare. There are more cameras in the 2 mile stretch of the A34 next to our house than there are between Calais and Argeles sur Mer. Its quite a talking point when our Tom Tom goes bong in France to warn of a camera, we actually start to look for it, sad or what!
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