snobbyafghan Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Whilst in France for the last few weeks, I noticed after the 1st October, a lot of Gendarmerie activity at roundabouts and peage booths, pulling vehicles over. I guessed this was the "crackdown" on enforcing the new laws on hi-vis jackets, triangles etc. It wasn't particularly noticeable near Calais so it wasn't aimed at foreign visitors but everywhere else from the Camargue to Normandy, they were in evidence. Anyone else notice this? Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olley Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Hi can't say we did but got pulled over near La Rochelle, told me my trailer tyre was u/s (it was in bits) told me to pull into the garage just ahead and drove off, seemed friendly enough. I can't see the trailer in my wing mirrors, and felt nothing adverse going on, luckily the rim was ok and I had a spare so half an hour later we were on our way again. :-D http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d173/olleybeak/RV/trailer%20damage/DSCN7360-1.jpg Olley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 snobbyafghan - 2008-10-17 11:02 AM Whilst in France for the last few weeks, I noticed after the 1st October, a lot of Gendarmerie activity at roundabouts and peage booths, pulling vehicles over. I guessed this was the "crackdown" on enforcing the new laws on hi-vis jackets, triangles etc. It wasn't particularly noticeable near Calais so it wasn't aimed at foreign visitors but everywhere else from the Camargue to Normandy, they were in evidence. Anyone else notice this? Doug Whilst on aires in the Gironde area in recent weeks I spoke to three motor homers with British registered motorhomes who had been pulled by the Gendarmes in the Tours area and had been weighed there and then on the mobile pads. There were two 3500k vans and a 3800k van. The two 3500k vans were found to be overweight and they got an on-the-spot fine of 90€. The other van was ok. The Gendarmes made the culprits empty both their freshwater and greywater tanks before they could proceed. So beware you good people who will be coming through France for the winter to warmer climes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 olley - 2008-10-17 11:13 AM Hi can't say we did but got pulled over near La Rochelle, told me my trailer tyre was u/s (it was in bits) told me to pull into the garage just ahead and drove off, seemed friendly enough. I can't see the trailer in my wing mirrors, and felt nothing adverse going on, luckily the rim was ok and I had a spare so half an hour later we were on our way again. :-D Olley Hi Olley, I bet your no spare tyre pump up set worked well on that one!!! (TIC) :-D :-D :-D All those with no spare on their van take note, Olley's tyre very closely resembled the one I had blow out on my van!! Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I had the front near-side blow out last year on the M25 and it was a new tyre. Nails on the road which also affected two other tyres - costly start to my holiday and pretty scary too! I noticed this year in France that almost all French registered m/homes and vans draped their hi-vis jackets round their seats. Many ordinary cars were the same. I also noted a lot of police activity near the peages but I have never seen the mobile weighing machines (thank goodness). Were they only seen in the Tours area this year Sylvia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Patricia - 2008-10-17 10:54 PM I had the front near-side blow out last year on the M25 and it was a new tyre. Nails on the road which also affected two other tyres - costly start to my holiday and pretty scary too! I noticed this year in France that almost all French registered m/homes and vans draped their hi-vis jackets round their seats. Many ordinary cars were the same. I also noted a lot of police activity near the peages but I have never seen the mobile weighing machines (thank goodness). Were they only seen in the Tours area this year Sylvia? Don't know Patricia, we have not seen them in our neck of the woods. This particular one was being placed in a service area (not motorway) the people had pulled in for a cuppa and as they were due to go the Gendarmes started setting up the mobile pads and beckoned them to put their vehicle on. Whether they were trying to test the pads I don't know but it was unfortunate for them that they were overweight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Just read in a French newspaper that the police are very active south of Calais in conjunction with the Kent police. They are targeting UK m/homes and checking documents and if they comply with the new law on hi-vis vests and warning triangles. Plans for this checking in the UK too. Mostly operating in motorway tolls and service areas Came about in response to complaints from the French public about speeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Not all 'Gendarmerie' activity is Gendarmerie activity! Earlier this year I was escorted off the auroroute by what I assumed was a Gendarme vehicle onto a service area while in the Rouen area. It turned out that it was a Douane (Customs & Excise) 'pull'. After inspecting the vehicle, both inside and out, we were allowed on our way with apologies. Seems that Rouen is a favoured spot for these inspections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I go through Rouen quite frequently. Any idea what they were searching for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Patricia - 2008-10-19 2:23 PM I go through Rouen quite frequently. Any idea what they were searching for? They asked whether I had any tobacco or alcohol. I'm a non-smoker but pointed out that I had wine and spirits onboard, but not an excesive amount (as I was on my way to Calais and would buy some there for home consumption). However, watching them I thought they were looking more for drugs than for tobacco and alcohol, although they did not mention drugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Patricia - 2008-10-18 9:06 PM Just read in a French newspaper that the police are very active south of Calais in conjunction with the Kent police. They are targeting UK m/homes and checking documents and if they comply with the new law on hi-vis vests and warning triangles. Plans for this checking in the UK too. Mostly operating in motorway tolls and service areas Came about in response to complaints from the French public about speeding. What are the Kentb police diong about Foreign Lorries, cars, motorhomes etc, re overloading, speeding, dipping headlights ?? or is it just bash the Brits on both sides of the channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olley Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Hi been searched twice in service areas near rouen in the last couple of years, secondtime it was a woman, as soon as she saw the cat that was the end of the search. oooooh le chat. :-D Also been pulled a couple of times at the tolls, but after a conversation that goes a bit like this "English! yes, only English! yes, followed by some sign language which I think means "bugger off" :-D I think the moral is: have a pet, don't speak French and act dumb (good at that) Olley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter42 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 olley - 2008-10-20 2:42 PM Hi been searched twice in service areas near rouen in the last couple of years, secondtime it was a woman, as soon as she saw the cat that was the end of the search. oooooh le chat. :-D Also been pulled a couple of times at the tolls, but after a conversation that goes a bit like this "English! yes, only English! yes, followed by some sign language which I think means "bugger off" :-D I think the moral is: have a pet, don't speak French and act dumb (good at that) Olley Didn't work for me; Out of the six Customs Officers present, at least three spoke English! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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