Mugged in France

I have just been legally mugged in France to the tune of £100.00 For having a speed camera's activated on my sat nav equipment that I bought in France!

Robin French F*&K£RS

Then to cap it all cant change Stirling in any bank, F%$King bank card decides to have a hissy fit and not work Result Impounded 6 BA%^&RD hours then had to run through the night to make the delivery on time after my card worked (thanks Barclays )

So in summary turn off speed camera's on entry to France!

And as a warning they now use stealth tactics to trap you as in plain clothed police MOTOR BIKES followed by the condoms all around the somme area

Sorry to hear your plight, but I am afraid that is their Law and has been a while now.

I imagine there are many who drive in Euro without 'filled in' CMR's , incorrect paperwork and no snow tyres where it is obligatory.

Ignorance of their law is no defence.

Does seem rather a hefty fine though and not fair!

A colleague recently went to Romania, asked at border if he required a Vignette and was told 'No not necessary' only to be stopped a few miles down the road, where he had to pay a approx 300 Euro fine.

It is worthwhile knowing the laws of each country before going

I was warned by a seasoned euro runner about that particular one regarding camera alerts

[name] I agree and as I know that it is law ignorance wasn't an excuse, The use of stealth tactics pi££ed me off we all have to play the game of dodge the gendarmes from time to time and as the load was for the U. K government one would have thought that a promissory note would suffice . NOT IN FRANCE they seem never to forget Agincourt!

[business] said:

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[name] I agree and as I know that it is law ignorance wasn't an excuse, The use of stealth tactics pi££ed me off we all have to play the game of dodge the gendarmes from time to time and as the load was for the U. K government one would have thought that a promissory note would suffice . NOT IN FRANCE they seem never to forget Agincourt!

Know what you mean :)

[business] said:

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I have just been legally mugged in France to the tune of £100.00 For having a speed camera's activated on my sat nav equipment that I bought in France!

Were you stopped because you had the cameras activated, or for some other reason? Been thinking you'd have to be stopped for something else for them to take the opportunity to examine your satnav.

It was deem as a routine check,

Sorry to here your plight... I often travel the A16 past Amiens, never seen routine check points or unmarked police bikes on the A16, not sure about the smaller roads as there speed restrictions are a pain and puts hours on the run so use Paege instead.. I know exactly where your coming from about the use of Cards and its a pain in the butt.

Dumb question, I know its illegal, but can they detect you have it switched on, or do they have to physically check it, always have mine switched on?

Seems [name] is not a happy bunny! When in Rome does as the Romans do-----check regulations. I have never had the pleasure of doing a job abroad but would crap mesen if I dint know the basics. Mind you I dont mess around with my sat/nav... How do ya turn off speed camera? Would it be 'disable alerts'?

And do you have your own 2 pack of breathalyzers?

Got me 2 breatherlysers, get them free over here, french too tight to provide them this is the most ridiculous think ever, its thefrench that drinks loads, not a ruddy courieror lorry driver or old [name] in his motorhome.

Williams Transport said:

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And do you have your own 2 pack of breathalyzers?

Not applicable as not yet passed in French Law

Wood & Sons said:

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Got me 2 breatherlysers, get them free over here, french too tight to provide them this is the most ridiculous think ever, its thefrench that drinks loads, not a ruddy courieror lorry driver or old [name] in his motorhome.

I haven't got a motorhome!

I think you've been illegally mugged. If you are ever stopped by a plain clothes policeman in a foreign country always ask them to request a marked car before you ever hand over any money.

On the continent there are loads of gangs posing as plain clothes police and targeting tourist/rental cars and vans.

Happened all the time when I lived in Spain.

Good one [name], I'm a subscriber to Motorhome Monthly, thete are always stories and advice about this going on, Spain being especially bad

after 30 years at it I can assure you all it was legal mugging as the plain clothes officer was backed up by two gendarme that escorted me to the local gendarmerie with a prohibition order for me not to be able to move until monies were paid

breathalyzer are not required by law but take them as a precautions method, I carry them in all the vehicles used

How did they know you had speed cameras set up?

I only found out last year its illegal to photograph police vehicles in France.

[business] said:

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How did they know you had speed cameras set up?

I only found out last year its illegal to photograph police vehicles in France.

They looked at his Sat Nav??

Why were you taking pictures of police cars?

I'm an anorak I take pictures of police vehicles in every Country I visit, I didn't admit to taking any in France, I just know its illegal.

Yes they looked at my satnav, as it is illegal to have any sort of radar detection equipment or the ability to detect or remember the locations and whereabouts of said devices a fine is payable on the spot as a English haulier/courier you cant provide a place of work or residence in France therefore cough up boyo or be impounded until you do!

Also checked CMR was correct

What was there reason for pulling you over, that is if the gave one, they can be very hypocritical because has you know the French very rarely stick to the speed limits and when on the toll roads go for it together with most other Europeans, I know its the law but my sat nav has speed camera detection on it and I will always keep it switched on, but very rarely speed in Europe, I have been pulled a couple of times to look what I was carrying that's has far has it went they appeared pretty sound, sometimes wrong place wrong time.

General routine check no reason must have been running short of cash lol

They don't have to have any reason your English and fair game

[business] said:

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General routine check no reason must have been running short of cash lol

They don't have to have any reason your English and fair game

Funny you should say cash, because that's the first thing I thought of when I first read this post.

Wood & Sons said:

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Good one [name], I'm a subscriber to Motorhome Monthly, thete are always stories and advice about this going on, Spain being especially bad

Yep, the sky diving students used to get caught out with this all the time.

But its not illegal to have your french speed camera's set and changed to a POI ;-)

Thompson Direct said:

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But its not illegal to have your french speed camera's set and changed to a POI ;-)

^^^ This. As far as I know your sat nav can popup and notify you of 'something' as long as it doesn't say 'speed camera' or similar.

Should redefine them as "French Cash points" LOL