Satnavs with radar camera warnings illegal in France

aerostar

Perhaps a reminder for some and new news to others.


As of this week, any driver aid that includes details of radar speed traps becomes illegal in France.

Vehicle equipment that can detect a radar signal has been banned in France for years - but a new law takes this further by banning any driver aid which simply incorporates data that can give warning of where speed cameras are located

Reported here (and in other places)

http://www.rin.org.uk/News.aspx?ID=50&SectionID=23&ItemID=2002

Brief note on Garmin site.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you are planning to travel in France, please be aware that as of 1 January 2012 a proposed legal ban on the public use of speed camera data is due to come into force. Garmin will be providing updates to map software and speed camera data on current products so that Garmin customers can comply with the new regulation when it comes into force.


About France http://about-france.com/travel.htm

BEWARE.... PHONING AT THE WHEEL From Jan. 3rd 2012, drivers caught using a mobile phone while on the road in France are liable to an on-the-spot fine of 130 Euros – and 3 penalty points if they have a French driving licence.

BEWARE.... RADAR WARNING DEVICES These have been banned in France since 28th November 2011. Drivers using radar detectors (speed camera detectors) are liable for a fine of 1500 Euros and 6 points off their license. This applies to specific radar warning devices, such as the Coyote, which must have their software updated to remain legal.
With regard to TomToms and other GPS systems, which have speed camera locations programmed in to their software, the situation is confusing. These are not officially "radar detectors", but manufacturers are obliged to make new software available, and most will be doing so in early 2012. By summer 2012, Tomtoms and other GPS systems will be technically in breach of the law if they still have radars listed in their Points of Interest software; and even if it is not clear how roadside police can stop and check for offending software, rather than hardware, drivers are warned to err on the side of precaution and download the latest map software for France. This is advisable anyway, since older software is not up to date with regard to new routes, new speed restrictions, and other changes.
For both existing radar warning devices and GPS devices, current radar information is being replaced with warnings to announce "danger zones", many of which will be areas with speed cameras.

knightstyle

My AA map of France shows fixed radar installations, wonder if this is now illegal?

isitenough

I know this is an old thread, but I've been reading through the Garmin stuff, any idea where on their site you find the speed camera updates to remove them for travel in France? It's a confusing site!

Gloomendoom

Don't remove them, just turn them off.

Tools > Settings > Proximity Points > Safety Cameras

Or something like that.