healdav Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 I have just discovered that as from 1 May 2005 every vehicle being driven in France has to have a fluorescent vest IN THE CAR. If it is in the boot this is unacceptable. The vest is for use in case of breakdowns and must be put on before you get out of the car. The penalty for not having a vest in the car is 280 euros fine!!!!! The Gendarmerie turned up at a hypermarket on the border near here last weekend and simply stopped every car leaving the car park. They must have collected enough cash to pay the national debt. I had no idea about his until a colleague sent me a mail about it yesterday. Publicity has been zero as far as I know. You have been warned. Apparently you now need the same in Italy and Germany although once again the publicity has been zero. We'll soon need a trailer to carry all the stuff that is obligatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Thanks for this information. Could save me some money on 1st July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Good tip for my trip in a few weeks - thanks. P.S.Would one get away with a fluorescent string vest a la Rab C. Nesbitt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Appreciate the tip, which could save me a whole bunch of Euros. Would suggest this as a suitable vest for the typical British Tourist in Flanders! PAUL J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Healdav, (and others) I take no responsibility in this... But we here in Belgium have been warned a couple of times recently in the media that this is a fraud. Swindlers dressing up as policemen and taking their positions at supermarkets find this an easy way to make money in a short time, fining naïve foreigners. I do not know what the law says exactly, but it seems that maybe foreigners do not need such fluorescent vest ? And what makes me suspicious now even more is that the vest should be in the car itself, not in the boot. If you are stopped and fined, please do not blame me. But maybe if you are, it would be a good idea to ask the policeman's legitimation ? Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hederer Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 In Germany you are required to have the vest, so I bought one and threw it in the car. You can get one at the Ferry terminal area for something like 2 quid--it's not a bad thing to have in the car anyway. If you're bored you can alway put it on, grab a clipboard, walk around the neghboorhood and scare people by telling them you're thinking of building an M road through their garden. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 If you are stopped and fined, please do not blame me. But maybe if you are, it would be a good idea to ask the policeman's legitimation ? Aurel <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Aurel - French police are not as polite (excuse the pun) as your Flanders police... not sure I'd try that! However, you seem to be right, it is a hoax. Exposed on this forum: http://liensutiles.forumactif.com/ftopic68...ste_fluo_en.htm The rules for these vests are noted here: http://www.code-route.com/echange_europe.htm and it states France : Aucune obligation particulière pour ce genre d'équipements. Which says this is not obligatory in France. If anyone comes up with anything to the contrary, I would be interested to know because this is a new one on me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Thanks, Paul. Actually I had thought of contacting you about this thread, but somehow you always read my mind and anticipates my question. Asking a policeman to legitimate himself ? Don't know if I would have the guts to do that myself. And I wonder what such fake policeman would do if you asked him. (And thanks for the compliment to our Flemish policemen. You're right, they are not bad ...) Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paullaw1155 Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 If you're bored you can alway put it on, grab a clipboard, walk around the neghboorhood and scare people by telling them you're thinking of building an M road through their garden. Nice one Paul. your comments raised a smile. going on holiday for a couple of weeks tonight just hope that I can use the internet to check what is happening on the Forum. wife chose this holiday Gran Caneria, My choice would have been the battlefields AGAIN. Cheers to every one Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Having a high visibility garment in the car actually sounds like a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 (And thanks for the compliment to our Flemish policemen. You're right, they are not bad ...) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> A Belgian (Flemish) friend once described the job of the police as "giving the kids a hard time". This has always stuck in my mind. Thinking back though, this was probably 1988 and I wonder what he thinks now he is middle aged. I must ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 11 June , 2005 Author Share Posted 11 June , 2005 I had a mail in the office yesterday froma colleague. Note that the supermarket where the police were making a killing was in France. As far as I know, it's obligatory for everybody. Bit daft otherwise really. Just as you have to have spare light bulbs in Spain (and TWO triangles). Write to the Commission and ask for some harmonisation on these requirements. When you live in a border area, it's a nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 I hope it matters not what is written on the tabard: mine says "Flood Warden"! Truthfully. On second thoughts, how about "Non"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 mine says "Flood Warden"! Truthfully. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Mine says "Fire warden", maybe we could get together and kill two birds with one stone? Regardless of the authenticity of this story I do think that carrying luminous clothing in case of breakdown at night is very sensible. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Intrigued, I have just buzzed the AA web site. Says 'Non' for France. Site may be behind the drag curve, of course. Any other words on jackets ? [Police do not apply] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 If any of you do dash out and buy a Hi Vis waistcoat, spend a little extra and get the ones with added Lumi Strips . These are far more effective in low light if you wish to avoid being flattened by a truck . Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Mine says "Fire warden", maybe we could get together and kill two birds with one stone? Regardless of the authenticity of this story I do think that carrying luminous clothing in case of breakdown at night is very sensible. Andy <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Flood and fire eh? Anybody specialise in plagues of frogs? Or on second thoughts that might be pushing your luck a bit in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Galatea Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Any other words on jackets ? [Police do not apply] <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 'Traincrew' May cause some confusion in the hypermarket car park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 I can see these jackets becoming collectable!! Dont forget, you saw it here first. Anyone tried selling one on Ebay yet?? Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 mine belongs to the Parish, room for two of me in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camserbat Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Just got back from Portugal and everyone seems to have one in their car now(except our hire car) though it does make sense as we passed a broken-down vehicle and could easily pick out the driver stood by his car. We had put one in the boot ready for our trip to the Somme in a couple of weeks time so thanks for the tip-offs guys we are keepin ours in the car from now on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 11 June , 2005 Share Posted 11 June , 2005 Yes, these things are available on Ebay and have "bought one now" for a few quid. I agree it's a good idea to have one in the car - mandatory or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted 12 June , 2005 Share Posted 12 June , 2005 Mine says London Underground Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 12 June , 2005 Share Posted 12 June , 2005 Mine says London Underground <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Anything to do with the Maquis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisN Posted 12 June , 2005 Share Posted 12 June , 2005 Just got back from France last week. At Dover P & O were giving leaflets to every car in the queue for the ferry explaining the requirements. Can't find it now, but it also mentioned that if you need glasses to drive then you need a spare pair with you as well... Regards ChrisN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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