Welshman

Just returned from 3 days abroad, driving through France and Switzerland to Liechstenstein and then back through Switzerland, Germany and France.

Only once did I come up behind someone who hadn't noticed my approach. People keep an eye on the mirrors over there, the absence of which over here is immediately noticeable once you leave the Chunnel terminal and get on the M20. There's little or no staying in the overtaking lane on the offchance that they might overtake something in 10 minutes time.

I also had my Peage doofer for the first time - the Telepeage box. What a joy to have. Costs 1 Euro a month and a 30 Euro deposit for the doofer and the peage charges are billed to your credit card. Even if you have a passenger, which I didn't on this trip, you save a fair bit of time with no queuing to get the ticket and similarly no queueing to pay at the end of each section - just slow down and approach the barrier and up it comes. For anyone who travels on the French motorway network just once or twice a year, it's worth it. If anyone one wants details on how to get one you can look at this link - it contains a link to the right form. Just complete it and send it off with a photocopy of your credit card and you'll get it in about 7 to 10 days:

http://www.completefrance.com/cs/for.../ShowPost.aspx

They seem to be tightening up on speeding a bit in France as I saw two Gendarmes with laser guns on the A1/A26 bit to Reims. Thereafter all I saw was their cameras going off

smnasn

Interesting about the telepeage doofer as my wife and I visit France regularly.

They have been getting tough on speeding for some time now. I use that A1/A26 a lot as we head to Epernay reularly, and nearly always see a trap somewhere along it. French drivers coming the other way do often flash at you to warn you...

Thay are also introducing radars that work out if you are too close to the car in front, so be warned!

CiderBoy

Arriving back in this country after a driving holiday is always a chore.

Mainly because the holiday is over but partly because the congested roads and inconsiderate drivers in the UK don't compare well to the experience abroad.

Welshman

Well this was business but it's a nice opportunity to let the car stretch its legs a bit.

Also air travel is such a PITA these days and timewise I reckon it probably only takes me about 2 hours longer door to door to do the 820 miles to Vaduz.

LTB

I completely agree with your comments regarding motorway driving on the continent.

Over there everybody indicates in good time, you don't get people sat in the outside lane for no apparent reason and you don't get people pulling silly stunts to try and thwart your advance. However, their motorways are far less congested than ours and for the main part only have 2 lanes so hogging the fast lane isn't really an option, especially in France as if you do you'll have somebody sat 2mm off your rear bumper.

Maybe worth investing in a telepeage doofer for the upcoming France trip.

simonprelude

A trip 2 years ago in Belgium proved that around certain junctions some people just don't have a clue.

Then again 2 NSX's in convoy seemed to confuse quite a few people also.

But on the whole, yes better drivers full stop.

Busamav

that magic box will be a boon for a biking holiday .

Welshman

Yes, imagine just roll up 4 or 5 abreast and you could all get through!

gaddafi

top tip