Driving in France

More and more, the French seem to be competing with some of their neighbors whose driving is often considered reckless. However, to navigate the roads of France peacefully, it is enough to know certain rules and to become familiar with the habits of the French in terms of respecting the traffic laws.

The traffic laws

Before addressing this point more precisely, it is important to remember the direction of traffic on French roads: we drive on the right. This must be taken into account at every intersection encountered. Renting a vehicle with a left-hand drive can, if necessary, be a solution. The traffic laws are mandatory for obtaining a driver’s license. It is the subject of a theoretical exam that must be passed with a maximum of five mistakes out of forty questions. The traffic laws govern all public traffic. They provide the rules in use for driving, of course, but also those related to driver behavior. Furthermore, they inform everyone of the mechanical basics and the penalties incurred in case of non-compliance with traffic rules.

Driving habits in France

Rules are often made to be broken, so one cannot expect to observe strict adherence to the traffic laws on French roads. The French are impatient; they sometimes express this by honking, overtaking when the signs do not allow it, or getting angry quickly. Therefore, it is essential to keep calm in all circumstances. Speed limits are sometimes forgotten, as are stops at red lights or priorities, which are often ignored. One might wonder: are turn signals and headlights optional? Courtesy seems to have little place behind the wheel. Finally, one will not be surprised by the use of mobile phones while driving, as it has become so common. But once all this information is integrated, it will be perfectly easy to drive!

Weather and driving

In France, as elsewhere, weather conditions affect driving rules. Thus, speed must be reduced in rainy weather (110 km/h on highways instead of 130, for example) or fog (50 km/h regardless of the type of road). In snowy or icy conditions, it is sometimes recommended to equip with specific tires. The use of headlights must be adapted to the situation. When it rains, for example, the intensity of the lights should be lowered to avoid dazzling other users. In case of strong winds, as road holding can be affected, deceleration is necessary. Nothing unusual, but these are some imperative adjustments that must be combined with better anticipation of risks.