driving in France/Belgium – any tips?

Driving in France is superb. The distances you can travel in a comfortable period of time are amazing. Belgium is a carp hole of the highest order! Never seen such poor driving outside of bradford. Really had to concentrate not to get caught by some loony. Makes you understand how European legislation is set out, by nutters with cars.

The french are a lot worse at tailgating then the French.

For those wondering yes foreign plates get escorted to cash machine in Belgium as else you just won’t pay, a Belgian gets it in the mail and if not paid they deduct it from your tax refund. They have to pull of foreigners as else none of the fines are paid.

Got 4mm of tread on fronts and 7mm on rears

Winter tyres obviously.

Edit to add: 😛

I thought the Spanish were the most obscenely bad drivers on the planet until I spent time in Belgium. I love the country and think it is far too underrated, but the drivers… Holy Jeez they are the worst. Like worse than the worst sort of worst.

Keep out of Belgian laybys. They are full of shit.

We were in Bruges last week, but took the train.

Do you have a parking space booked where you’re staying? I only ask as Bruges is very compact and easy to get around on foot and some of the guides we read suggested leaving the parking in a long stay car park as driving in the city itself is a bit of bitch.

And watch out on the French Autoroutes for the exits, usually it’s a case of “is this…was that our exit?”.

You can turn right at traffic lights, with caution, even if the lights are red, watch out for the Amber flashing arrow about waist height on the traffic light posts. Or you could last time I was driving in France, 2007

Iirc speed limit for cars on autoroute is 130kph – about 80-85mph – but reduced to 110 if it’s raining

SaxonRider – Member
I thought the Spanish were the most obscenely bad drivers on the planet until I spent time in Belgium. I love the country and think it is far too underrated, but the drivers… Holy Jeez they are the worst. Like worse than the worst sort of worst.

Have you been anywhere near Naples lately?

Never mind the driving, can we please get the labelling right: the city is in Flanders, so really ought to go by its Flemish name. Which is Brugge.

Driving is still dreadful though.

I’ve not read the other replies but hey…

Other side, when you’re tired, it’ll happen.
Indicate all the way through the overtake.
See those people on bikes? On the continent you have to treat those people like real people so give them a wide berth and everything.
Got a cheese and wine locker in your vehicle? AWESOME!
I’m sorry to make a big deal of this but if you’re in a few tons of metal and you see someone who isn’t? They have right of way. I know, **** crazy but that’s the rule in places outside of Britain where it doesn’t matter.