Driving in France - if the worst happens

For a feast of information about France, consult our site map 

Note well: this is the second of two pages on driving in France. If by chance you have come here directly from a search engine, you would do well to read the first one first.

Priorité a droite (priority to the right). The old priorité a droite rule on roundabouts has been rescinded. No open roads of any significance have Priorité a droite anymore, thank God. However, in built up areas you must give way to anyone coming out of a side turning on the right sometimes (depends whether there is white lines on the side road and/or a sign telling them they must give way). Confused? You will be...

Flashing your lights. If you flash your lights in France, you are telling the other guy to get out of the way.

A useful French site is  www.autoroutes.fr As I say, useful, but about as quick as a traffic jam!

If you breakdown, pull up on the emergency lane (there are often 'refuges' set back from this lane), switch on your hazard warning lights and place a red warning triangle 30m behind your vehicle. Free orange emergency telephones are situated every 2km on all motorways. If you break down and don't want to leave your vehicle, there are regular road patrols on all sections of the motorway.

If you need an ambulance use the orange SOS phones. You must also call the police. Phone numbers, below.

If a vehicle is damaged you should note down the nature of the damage to your own and the other vehicle/s, ideally getting the document counter-signed by the other party (language permitting!). Also swap personal and insurance details with the other party. Your insurer may have issued you with an "European Accident Statement" form for these purposes - if not, then it's down to you.

15 Ambulance (SAMU = Service d'aide medicale urgent)

17 Police

18 Fire service (pompiers)

112 - all three services (like 999 in U.K.)

Opening times

Banks and most shops are closed on Mondays.

Banks and most shops are closed between 12 and 2

Telephoning the USA or Britain

Telephoning the United States. Precede the number with 001

Telephoning Britain

0044 + std code less the first zero + number

so 0207 123 4567

becomes 00 44 207 123 4567

You will probably want need to take a printed Map of France with you

For books that will enhance your French stay - and that you will love - follow this link