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DRIVING

French drivers need to be taught not punished

France doesn't need more speed cameras, it needs to follow the lead of the UK and teach its motorists to be more responsible on the roads, the head of France's leading motorist group tells The Local.

Published: 6 October 2015 09:59 CEST
French drivers need to be taught not punished
How could France improve the way motorists drive? Photo: AFP
Pierre Chasseray, who heads the French drivers' organization 40 Million d'Automobilistes, speaks out about the raft of new measures introduced on Friday in a bid to cut the ever-increasing number of road deaths in France.
 
Among those measures is a plan to roll out another 500 speed cameras to bring the number to 4,700. On top of that there will be many more cameras placed in unmarked police cars to snare motorists committing a variety of offences.
 
Here Chasseray tells The Local why French drivers need to be taught to drive responsibly rather than being repeatedly punished by the law.
 
Pierre Chasseray:
 
“We know that the UK is among the top three countries in Europe when it comes to its record on road safety.
 
“We can learn from the UK that it's not about bringing in more laws and rules that we can save lives, but by persuading the public of the importance of road safety. We need to convince the French of that.
 
“For example, in the UK the legal drink-driving limit is 0.8 grams of alcohol (per litre of blood), whereas in France it’s 0.5 grams and 0.2 for young people. And yet, there are more drink-driving deaths in France than in the UK.
 
“That’s the proof that you need to teach drivers to take more responsibility, because British people drink as much, if not more than the French but they just don’t drink and drive. In France, it's a real problem. 
 
“We have to have a policy of prevention and to raise awareness by following the UK's example and show we are courageous enough to deactivate speed cameras.
 
“We can ask the French people to make an effort if we give them something, but at the moment we just ask them to make this effort without giving motorists anything in return and it just doesn't work.
 
'We treat French drivers like children'
 
 
“We have had trouble convincing the French about the need for road safety because we have tried to do it by taking punitive measures. To really bring about a change in habits they need to understand the message. 
 
“We do not need to treat them like children. In order for people to be convinced, they have to understand the measures. We have to raise awareness, not endlessly blame people.It’s just a problem of behaviour and we have to improve this.
 
“For example we need to explain to them the importance of keeping a safe distance from the car in front, but that's not punishment.
 
“Fining people just annoys and irritates them, it doesn't make them drive any better.
 
“Having said that, the UK drivers who come to France are the tourists who are flashed the most by speed cameras so I don't think we can really say that French drivers are the worst in the world.
 
“We have trained drivers in France to believe that speed is the only cause of an accident, but in the UK they have explained that is the all-round behaviour of the driver that is important.  
 
“To change drivers' behaviour, we have to change the ways of communicating with French drivers.”
 
“In France they wanted to introduce a similar system like in the UK, where they have speed cameras that are not activated or in use.
 
“The problem is the UK was more intelligent. The UK deactivated speed cameras rather rolling out more, but in France we are adding more speed cameras as well as thousands of fake ones.
 
“Many of the measures announced on Friday are good, the problem is that French drivers, when hearing these new measures, will only remember the fact that there will be 500 more speed cameras installed and 10,000 fake ones. 
 
“We have set up an online petition where the public can protest against these measures and we had 60,000 signatures in one day. This shows the public are fed up.

 
“It's just too much. The French realize this is not about road safety anymore, it's about money. That's what they are thinking at least.
 
“Whether it's true or not we don't know, but if they are thinking it then it means the government are sending out the wrong message around road safety.
 
“The message sent out by the prime minister is about “speed cameras and earning money” and that's a disaster, a real disaster.”
 
 
 

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DRIVING

EXPLAINED: How does car insurance work in France?

If you drive a motor vehicle in France – even one for which you don’t need a driving licence – you must have insurance. Here is what you need to know.

Published: 6 September 2024 11:06 CEST
EXPLAINED: How does car insurance work in France?

Anyone who drives a car, lorry, van, or rides a motorcycle or scooter on the road in France must have at least third-party car insurance.

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s covered

Be aware that a French insurance policy covers the vehicle, rather than the driver. You will still need to list one or several named drivers, but others will also be able to take the wheel of your vehicle and be covered by at least the legal minimum third-party insurance.

What you need to get insured

Before you can drive your car, you must be insured. Car dealers will not let you drive off in your new purchase without the required documents. 

Fortunately, the process is pretty simple, and your insurer will help you with the necessary paperwork. 

Carte verte

Since April 1st, 2024, green car insurance cards in the windscreens of French vehicles have been replaced by an automated system accessible to law enforcement officers, though you’ll still see them on display in plenty of cars. 

READ ALSO 7 things to know about the change to France’s ‘carte verte’ car insurance

This new digital system means drivers’ insurance details can be checked using licence plates and by verifying information in the file of insured vehicles (FAV), which has been accessible to law enforcement since 2019. 

Insurance companies are required to update the register every 72 hours, so the digital list is kept up to date. 

In theory, this means drivers no longer have to present insurance paperwork if they are pulled over by police, as it will be up to officers to consult this database. But you will receive a document on taking out or renewing your insurance policy that you can show them. It may speed things up.

A reminder: driving while uninsured remains an offence. As well as a hefty fine those drives caught behind the wheel without insurance risk having their driving licence suspended for up to three years.

Moreover, driving on a suspended licence can be punishable by up to two years imprisonment, a €4,500 fine and confiscation of the vehicle.

READ ALSO Driving in France: What are the offences that cost you penalty points on your French licence?

What happens if you’re involved in an accident

In France, in the immediate aftermath of a collision, you might be asked by other involved parties to fill out a paper document which gives information about the details of an accident on the road.

This is a ‘constat amiable’ – pronounced con-statt amm-ee-ahh-bul – the French term for a European Accident Statement (EAS) that is accepted by insurance companies across the continent. 

It’s not a legal requirement to have one in your car, but many motorists in France do, just in case. Copies are then sent to your insurers for processing.

And the French government’s Service Public website recommends in strong, bureaucratic terms that motorists involved in a collision should complete the form, which details the circumstances of a collision, and any resulting damage to either vehicle.

The form is available in English (pdf) if you prefer, but it’s advisable to use a French one for your French insurers.

No claims

The no-claims system is known as Bonus Malus in France. 

Someone who has never been insured starts with a bonus of 1.00, and every year without a claim this is multiplied by 0.95, shaving a percentage off your bill – though you might not realise it as premiums seem to rise year on year…

It takes 13 years to build up a maximum no claims bonus.

If you have previously been insured in the UK or an EU country you may be able to transfer any no-claims bonus, depending on the company. 

READ ALSO Meet France’s tiny cars that you don’t need a licence to drive

If, on the other hand, you are involved in an accident, this figure will be multiplied by 1.25 if you are to blame – or 1.125 if you are only partially at fault.

Are there other ways to cut insurance costs?

French insurers offer a range of policies that you may want to consider. Fully comprehensive (tous risques) policies tend to cost more, but you may decide it’s worthwhile. Third-party, fire and theft, and third party insurance are also routinely available from insurers.

But, if you don’t drive often or far, you may be able to get a low-mileage deal, for example. It’s always worthwhile checking with your insurer.

When you do / don’t need a French driving licence

You can drive in France on a non-French / EU driving licence for a certain period of time. 

If you’re in France on holiday there is usually no problem with driving on the licence of your home country, whether you’re bringing your own car or renting one here – although there will likely be some additional paperwork involved at a French car rental company if you hold a non-French / EU licence.

If you live in France, however, it’s a different story for holders of non-French / EU licences. After a certain period of residency (usually one year, although there is a slightly different system for UK licences) you will probably need to swap your licence for a French one.

This could have a knock-on effect on your insurance. 

Driving in France on a foreign licence when you should have swapped it for a French one is illegal – which invalidates your insurance.

READ ALSO Is it illegal to drive on a foreign licence if you live in France?

If you have an accident while driving, even if it’s not your fault, you need to contact your insurance and if you’re showing a French address and a non-French licence it’s likely that questions will be asked. 

Listing an address that’s not your actual place of residence counts as lying to your insurers, which is also likely to result in the refusal of your claim if you are caught. And it can lead to prosecution. 

Changing provider

France has a reputation for making it difficult for customers to shop about for things like insurance – and with some justification. 

But the good news is the process is becoming simpler, and the fact is you have every right to shop around for the best deal for you.

Of course, if you’re happy with your insurer, stick with them. Policies auto-renew after 12 months and will do this every year unless you cancel.

When you sign a contract, you have a 14-day cooling off period where you can cancel without being penalised. After this, you can usually only cancel within the final two months of the first year.

After the first 12 months have elapsed, you can cancel at any time. The insurer will end the contract one month after receiving notice of cancellation and will refund any payments made beyond this period.

Your new chosen insurer may be able to help with cancelling your existing insurance. If not, you need to send a letter of cancellation – you might be able to do this online, otherwise you need to write a formal letter and it’s a good idea to send it by registered mail.

Just make sure that you have insurance in place before you get behind the wheel!

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