Driving to France for Euro 2016?

If you are driving to France over the next few weeks to see some live football matches at Euro 2016,
here are some handy tips from the the Good Garage Scheme:

What you'll need

All drivers, including motorcyclists, must carry a warning triangle, hi-visibility jacket and a breathalyser with them. According to French law,  you must be able to produce an unused and certified breathalyser (showing an ‘NF’ number) and it is recommended that you carry two in case one is damaged.

Seat belts and child passengers          

Seat belts must be worn if available and children under ten must travel in a car seat and not in the front passenger seat unless there are no rear seat belts, or the if the back seats are already occupied by other children under ten.
It’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 18 are properly restrained.

Watch your speed

Speed limits are indicated by road signs, in kilometres per hour. These are usually 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (55mph) outside built-up areas, 110km/h (68mph) on urban motorways and dual carriages, and 130km/h (80mph) on regular motorways. During poor weather, these limits will change, so be aware of the conditions before you set off.

Before you go

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition before you set off.
Visit your nearest Good Garage Scheme member garage for a Holiday Check to ensure you arrive safely and in time for the match.

Bon voyage!

Drivers, Know Your Limits

There are not too many drivers who can say that they have never exceeded the speed limit.

The rules are there to keep everyone safe, and it is astonishing how many drivers are unsure of the speed limit rules.

According to The Highway Code (available in most bookshops as a paperback at a cost of approximately £2:50 or available free online),  Rules 124
states:

You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle. The presence of street lights generally means that there is a 30 mph (48 km/h) speed limit unless otherwise specified. 

Rule 125 continues to advise:

The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions is dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when:

• the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
• sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, particularly children, and motorcyclists
• weather conditions make it safer to do so
• driving at night as it is more difficult to see other road users

The National Speed Limit for cars and motorcycles (including car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes max laden weight) are as follows:

• Built-up areas*                  30 mph

• Single carriageways          60 mph 

• Dual carriageways            70 mph 

• Motorways                        70 mph  

* The 30 mph limit usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise.

The Good Garage Scheme advises all motorists to drive safely and if in any doubt about the braking system on their vehicle, visit a local member garage soon.

It's like having a friend in the know.