Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I was just updating my Tom-Tom sat-nav and it informs me that it is now illegal to receive speed-camera alerts in France.

Any of our France-domiciled members got more info?

I understood that that has been the case for some time. Operating a "radar" detector as a stand alone item, like Road angel, can result in confiscation of the car, so I`ve heard.
Jim

Tom-Tom says the law came into force on 1st Jan; as the camera-thingy is an add-on to a navigation device I'm guessing that Clouseaus's cellars will now be full of sat-navs, or is that part of the plan?

The tenance of any radar warning device in quite a lot of of countries is forbidden, they usually can confiscate the device, destroy it, and also issue a fine, hefty ones in Switzerland.
But never they confiscate the car, unless maybe you cannot pay the fine.
And policemen also use sat-navs, so they know where to look....

But I suppose that a "road angel" is treated different than a Tomtom.

Copied from a post on Pistonheads

End of the road for radar warning devices

Equipment which detects a radar signal has always been banned in France but the new laws take matters a step further by banning ?driver aids? which incorporate data giving a warning of where speed cameras are located. Arguably, this information is already in the public domain with Michelin maps, for example, posting details of fixed radar positions but in the face of opposition both from motorists? organisations and satnav manufacturers, the French government has decided to press ahead with this measure.

Already, some manufacturers of satnav equipment have taken the lead by stopping the inclusion of data on speed traps in new equipment but, for users of existing equipment, compliance with the new law will depend on whether they bother to connect up with a manufacturer?s website for a software update to remove what will become the prohibited software. For the police, enforcing the new law will not be an easy task particularly as many vehicles now come with embedded software systems which the non-technologically inclined driver may find difficult to disengage.

Nonetheless, the penalty for the new offence is steep ? a fine of up to 1500 ? and the loss of up to 6 points on a driver?s licence.

The purpose of speed cameras is to slow traffic down; the purpose of speed camera alert devices is to slow traffic down.

The purpose of speed cameras is to slow traffic down; the purpose of speed camera alert devices is to slow traffic down.

The purpose of speed cameras is to create revenue. The purpose of speed camera alert devices is to stop that revenue.
Mick G

Salut

They're now called road safety devices rather than radar warning devices - so the device is not illegal in France, but you should update your software.

The French police like to make sure they catch a lot of people by increasing checks during hoilday times (they also get their speed binoculars out at the time when harassed mums collect their children from primary school) - so be warned if you're coming over.

@+

Vernon