Miata Mailing List: March 1997, Message #133
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   From: (none)

Subject: Re: Driving in France (NMC)

   Date: (none)



Previously on Driving in France, Ben Campbell  said...



> I will be spending the week of 3/7 through 3/14 in Nice, France, and will

> be renting a car.  Can anyone tell me any important differences in driving

> laws and custom between US and France to help me keep out of trouble?



The headlights are yellow.  They're supposed to be.  Sit on the left, drive on

the right.  Traffic signals have little versions of themselves lower down on

the pole so that the first car in line can see what's going on (N/A in a

Miata).  Like the good American that I am, I never asked about the driving

laws and customs, I just bulldozed ahead :)



Vous et ici and Sortie come in very handy when reading signs.  The European

signage is very comprehensive, if sometimes cryptic.  Once you figure out what

the signs mean you can go anywhere and it is all the same.



A circular blue sign with a red border and X through it means no parking.



Kilometers are cool.  Seems like you're going really fast.



Gas stations in Paris are underground.



I suspect that French drivers, like those in any country, vary from region to

region.  Urban areas will be more challenging than more rural ones.



Be courtious.



Use your mirrors.



You already know this.



Have fun!



	-John



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John Freas (jfreas@gte.net)

Red '90 Base #7690

Clearwater, Florida

Team Roebuck

Team Voodoo

Team Redline MTL

Team No hardtop posts

Team "I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are

for."

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