Highway code (France)

The Highway code is the name given in France to the whole of the legislative measures and regulatory governing circulation on the public highway. (pavements, fitted, Highway S, etc) by the users (pedestrians, two wheels with or without engine, cars, etc).

It describes the characteristics of the vehicles ready to circulate on the public highways, the road panels, the rules of circulation and priority, the rules of parking as well as the sanctions incurred in the event of violation of these texts. Finally it describes the procedures necessary to be authorized to drive these vehicles.

History

In France, obligation to have an authorization to drive a vehicle motorized (today the Driving license) date of an ordinance of August 1893 for the department of the the Seine. The certificate giving the right to have a motor vehicle (today the Automobile license) and the license as such are created in 1896. This last is checked by an engineer of the Mines inspectorates (led and knowledge of the vehicle).

At the beginning of the 20th century, the first four panels in France were planted on the road between Paris and Trouville-on-Sea, vacation resort balneal in Normandy. These panels were the advertisement of a crossing, a turn, a level crossing and a blackcurrant (or back of ass).

In 1921, is written and adopted a Highway code. That of 1958 was regularly adapted to the awakening of the dangers of the speed and consumption of alcohol. It was the subject of a new writing in 2000 (ordinance n°2000-930) applicable since June 1st, 2001. Many texts modify it permanently.

Teaching of control and the road safety

Since the Years 1980 in the primary education and the end of the Years 1990 with the college, the programs of the French lesson primary education and secondary include/understand parts on the training of the Highway code by the pupils.

To the elementary school, in the youngest classes, the teachers are invited to teach the elements first safety of the pedestrian, would be this only at teaching exit: to go on the pavement, to look at on the left, on the right and once again on the left before crossing a street to the pedestrian passage. In the older classes, is organized an examination symbolic system of control to Vélo, whose key objectives are to teach rules of prudence to the pupils and the first elements of the Highway code relating to the use of the roadway. It is also the occasion to proceed to the first meetings between the forces of police force or gendarmerie with the pupils.

With the college, the secondary certificate of road safety took an important weight as from 2004, since, of simple school exercise, it became obligatory to pass the driving license automobile to 18 years. It is composed of two levels:

in class of 5th, an examination of code (A.S.S.R level 1) checks the knowledge of the code by the pupils on the following uses: pedestrians, bicycle, auto-cycle (less than 50 cm ³). Thanks to this certificate of first level and five hours of control in Driving school, a teenager of more than 14 years obtains a patent of road safety authorizing it to lead a auto-cycle;
in class of 3rd, a second examination (A.S.S.R level 2) checks the knowledge of the code with regard to the dangers of the control of a car and the incurred sanctions. For the young people born after January 1st 1988, the success of this examination is obligatory to be able to begin the training in control accompanied at 16 years, or to be registered with the examinations of the driving license to 18 years.

The examination consists of a multiple-choice questionnaire put in scene through approximately 45 minutes a video film. Scenes give in prospect certain rules before the questions are not put. To validate the examination, a pupil must succeed in answering just ten questions out of twenty.

It will be noted that at the same time in France, the notion of the duty of defense had by the citizen towards his country was also included in the school programs after the suppression of the national service.

Behavior of the driver

The driver must keep under control its vehicle in any circumstance. For that, the law firmly prohibits the consumption of certain products or the use of certain objects during control:

the consumption of alcohol or Drug S.
the use of a Cellphone.

Spaces

The highway code holds certain spaces with certain types of use. In addition to the users specifically named by the Code, can also cross animals: herds, wild animals, pets, riders. In France, downtown, the animals present are often cats and dogs, but also possibly of the vehicles with animal haulage (in general, barouches of tourist use).

The drivers of cycles can circulate on the surfaces pedestrians , except provisions various catches by the invested authority of the policing powers, in the condition of preserving the pace of the step and of not causing of embarrassment to the pedestrians.

The tracks and cycle tracks are the installations exclusively reserved for the cycles with two or three wheels. The invested authority of the policing powers keeps however the possibility of authorizing them with the auto-cycles by announcing it explicitly. On the other hand, if they are equipped with a trailer, they must use the principal roadway. The circulation of the cycles led to the hand is tolerated on the roadway.

The use of certain ways is prohibited ( highways , expressways , etc).

Except agglomeration, the drivers of cycles can circulate on the verges equipped with a road coating.

Indication

Basic rules

The signals of the agents always prevail on any other form of indication (example: injunction to stop the vehicle, to slow down, accelerate, pass simply or to tighten on the right or on the left).

Fires make party of the principal elements of road signs:

green light authorizes the passage after the driver was ensured that the intersection was free.
the amber light imposes the stop, except if this one cannot be carried out any more in safety.
red light imposes the absolute stop.

Fires can vary in their form and operating process, which does not change in theory their significance (example: inscription or arrow, flashing light etc); however yellow fire/orange indicator draws the attention to a particular danger and thus imposes a deceleration.

The panels can have as a function to inform of a danger (triangular panel); to impose a rule (bearing round panel prohibition or obligation); to inform or guide (square or rectangular panel of indication or direction). The message can thus be quickly identified because of form or of the color of the panel. The signs specify and supplement the panels under which or which they are placed (they can be of extent, of distance, directional, of category or varied).

Panels of dangers

The panels of danger, of triangular form, have as a role to inform the users of the risks which they can meet so that they adapt their control.

They are established:

50 meters before the danger which they announce in agglomeration
150 meters before the danger that they announce except agglomeration

By exception, a distance from different establishment can be announced by sign. The panel “circulation in the two directions” derogates from the rule since it is generally established with the level even of the danger.

Panels of prohibition

The panels of prohibition, round form (pareillement with the panels of obligations) and of red color, have as a role to derogate from the general rules of control or contrary to pointing out them. They limit certain accesses, the execution of operations, the possibilities of stop and parking.

They are in theory established at the edge of the roadway and at the beginning of the zone concerned (except contrary signs) and are valid until the next intersection or the panel of end of prohibition. The end of prohibition involves the return to the general rule. However prohibition can also relate to all a “zone of prohibition”. A zone corresponds to a whole of grouped streets, it is delimited by signs of entry and exit.

Panels of obligation

The panels of obligation, round form and blue color, have as a role to oblige the users with: to adopt a trajectory or a precise direction; to take a roadway, a way or a reserved way; to use certain equipment or to roll at least at a given speed…

Panels of indications

The purpose of the panels of indication, square form, are to give to the road users useful informations to control (blue bottom) or to announce the proximity or the presence of useful installations (white zones)

They are established in theory in position or near what they announce. They can be supplemented by signs of distance or category.

Panels of direction

The panels of direction have as a role to make it possible to the users to locate and follow a route by indicating the type, the category, the number of road, the served localities.

The bottom of the panels of direction is:

blue for the routes borrowing a highway
green for the principal routes connecting of the important cities
white for the secondary routes or connecting close localities
yellow for the temporary routes

The roads are numbered and classified in various administrative categories; the cartridges or inserts of colors make it possible to the users to be easily located (are thus used: E for “European road”, has for “highway”, NR for “trunk road”, D for “secondary road”, C for “communal way”).

According to the importance of the road, the driver can successively meet panels of warning, advance sign, advanced indication, position and confirmation of direction.

Ideograms and symbols are sometimes placed in the panels of direction, they can prohibit or recommend a route, make it possible to identify a route (a), of unballasting or substitution.

Panels of localization

The panels of localization give to the users information on the place crossed or met: name, nature, limits, regulations particular.

Beacons and terminals

The beacons and terminals are used to guide the users and/or to announce the position of particular dangers to them. Thus there exist beacons of intersection (white with red band), of limit of roadway (succession of white terminals, in bevel and with black band), of description of obstacles (in bevel and with white and blue bands)… Terminals are generally of the kilometric type and specify the type and the number of the road in a cartouche of color…

Marks on the roadway

The marks on the roadway guide the users by delimiting with precision the parts of the road where they must circulate, yield the passage or station.

These marks are most frequently of white color but can also be yellow in the event of temporary marking, of stop and no parking, bus stops… or blue in the event of particular regulation of the parking.

Longitudinal markings delimit the roadway, the various lanes point out or impose rules of circulation:

the broken lines can be crossed to pass from a way to the other.
the brought closer broken lines generally announce a continuous line
the mixed lines cannot be crossed that by the driver located on the side of the dotted lines
the broken lines at broad features delimit reserved ways with certain users (drunk, cycles) or with certain operations (to approach or leave a roadway).

the bank lines on road (milked of 3 meter and interval of 3,5 meters) separate the roadway from the verge and can be crossed to station; on highways, fast tracks and on certain roads, the lines of banks (milked of 20 or 38 meters and interval of 6 or 14 meters) separate the roadway from the hard shoulder and can be crossed only in the event of breakdown or incident.

the arrows of folding back, curves, indicate the way in which it is necessary to be folded back.
the directional, right or broken arrows, force to follow to the intersection the directions which they indicate.

Transverse markings indicate the precise place or one must yield the passage and/or stop (fire, stop). It delimits also the crossing of roadway for certain categories of users (pedestrians, cycles, bus) using their specific ways.

Streaked are hatchings or rafters which prohibit circulation, the stop, and the parking on the part of the roadway comprising this marking.

Temporary indication

Temporary indication announces and protects the working areas or the obstacles being likely to obstruct circulation. It prevails on usual indication. The panels and the marks on the roadway are generally of color yellow and from the red and white devices protect the zone at the risk. When circulation is done on only one way, it is alternate by means of tricolor fires or of mobile stakes operations by the workmen of the building site.

Intersections and priorities

General information

The driver must learn how to detect by far, by various indices heralding, the presence and the form (in T, Y, X or star) of the intersections which it will meet.

In the absence of particular indication, the general rule of priority of passage applies: the drivers must yield the passage to the users coming from right-hand side. In the event of presence of indication (fires or panels) or of an agent, particular rules of passage apply: passage authorized, prohibited, limited to certain directions; transfer of passage on the right, on the right and on the left or on the contrary priority.

Tricolor fires

Tricolor fires are established on the side or with the top of the roadway. The driver must take account of the group of fires located immediately on its line, or of fire in the shape of arrow corresponding to its direction. With red light it must stop either with the line of effect of fires, or right before the crossing for pedestrians, or just plumb with fire.

A twinkling yellow arrow authorizes the driver to cross red light with reduced pace, to follow the direction indicated, by yielding the passage to the pedestrians and to the other users.

A flash light system replacing green light authorizes the driver to cross the intersection with pace reduced by yielding the passage on the right or by respecting the panels of priority.

So panels of priority are established under fires, yellow twinkling or extinguished, the driver must respect their indications; in their absence, the general rule of the priority on the right applies.

Panels of priority

The panels of priority have as a role to indicate to the drivers the order of passage to the intersections

the panel “stop” imposes the stop on the edge of the road and the transfer of passage so much on the left and on the right.
the panel “yield the passage” forces the driver to yield the passage so much on the left and on the right.
the panel “roundabout”, announcing what is familiarly called a “roundabout”, forces the driver to yield the passage to the users circulating on the ring.
the triangular panel representing a cross forces the driver to yield the passage on the right.
the triangular panel representing a broad arrow crossed by a horizontal bar indicates that to the next intersection only, the other users must yield the passage.
the panel “road priority”, in form of square at yellow bottom, indicates that to all the intersections met, the other users must yield the passage. A panel puts an end to the priority character of the road.

Particular cases

The ways not announced, deprived of coating and belonging to no network of roadway system are not to in no case priority. The same applies to the private ways of which the use is generally reserved for residents.

The intersections, as soon as they are encumbered, make exception to the rule general of priority since the drivers profiting from the priority should not engage in an intersection if they are likely to be temporarily immobilized there.

The committed pedestrians and the buses leaving their stop (in agglomeration only) have the priority and the drivers must yield the passage to them.

Police vehicles, gendarmerie, fire control, SAMU, SMUR, customs, have priority and, since they announce their presence by a blue fire turning and/or a specific aural signal, the drivers must yield the passage in all circumstances to them. The vehicles of urgent intervention such as the ambulances, vehicles of help, vehicles of the SNCF, EDF-GDF, transport of funds of Banque de France etc do not profit from the priority but the drivers must facilitate their progression when they use a blue fire flickering and/or a specific sound signalling hooter.

Rules of circulation

Driving license

To lead is a right subjected to an prior approval: the driving license. Obtaining this license is subordinated to conditions of age, physical capacity and with the possession of one or more categories of driving license.

The license B is obtained as from 18 years completed, following examinations. It allows the vehicle driving of 9 sitted places (operator's seat included) and of a P.T.A.C. of 3500 kg to the maximum, such as a private car or a van.

A particular Voiture is a motor vehicle having at least 4 wheels, other than the quadricycles with engine, intended for the transport of people, which comprises in more the 9 seats, including that of the driver, and whose P.T.A.C. does not exceed 3,5 tons.

A Camionnette is a motor vehicle having at least 4 wheels, other than the quadricycles with engine, intended for the goods transport and whose P.T.A.C. does not exceed 3,5 tons.

It allows also the control of the three-wheeled and quadricycles engine like, two years after obtaining the license B, the light motor cycles (125 Cm3).

The minimal vision required for obtaining the license B is of 5/10 for all two eye. If an eye has a vision null or lower than 1/10, the other eye must have at least 6/10. When the minimal vision is obtained by the wearing of glasses or correct lenses, the indication “wearing obligatory of adapted corrective lenses” is affixed on the driving license. A periodic medical examination (every 5 years for less than 60 years, every 2 years between 60 and 76 years, every year beyond) is obligatory for the control of certain vehicles such as the ambulances, the taxis, the vehicles of school bus service etc, or following certain diseases or handicaps.

The withdrawal of points of the driving license for an offense against the highway code made on board a vehicle whose control does not require a license is illegal (stop of the Council of State of December 8th, 1995). On the other hand, certain infringements can involve a suspension or a driving ban even if they are made on board a vehicle whose control does not require a license: the driving under influence of intoxication, the setting in danger deliberated on others, the hit and run offense.

Equipment of the vehicle

For safety reasons, the vehicles must obligatorily comprise certain equipment having to be maintained in good state of operation. Here the list of the principal obligatory equipment:

To see and be considering:

two rear view mirrors: an interior rear view mirror and an external rear view mirror on the left. The external rear view mirror on the right is necessary only if the body or the loading of the vehicle makes it necessary.
a windshield wiper and 1 windshield washer.
two main-beam headlamps at least, illuminant with 100 meters minimum
two dipped headlights, illuminant to 30 meters minimum
two side-lights, 2 red lights visible with 150 meters minimum
two reflective devices, visible with 100 meters
a readable number plate the night of the back, with at least 20 meters

To control its speed:

a speedometer
a principal brake “with foot”
a brake of parking of help “to hand”
of the identical tires of structure, of identical type on the same axle, and of which the minimal depth of the structures should not be lower than 1,6 Misters

Not to obstruct:

a quiet exhaust and good state, as well as a correctly regulated engine (so that the quantity of emitted pollutant gas is not higher than the authorized maximum values).

Others:

of the safety belts in all the places
a sound signalling hooter
a theft-prevention device

Technical control

The technical control of the private cars and vans not exceeding 3500 kg is carried out, in an approved center, on the initiative of the holder of the automobile license.

The first technical control intervenes only between three years and half and four years after the first date of setting in traffic. Thereafter periodic controls intervene every two years.

The law imposes on the approved centers the checking of 133 points of the vehicle, of which 64 are subjected to an obligation of repair. At the conclusion of control, the controller gives a certificate, to preserve, indicating the controlled points and the noted defects. In the event of sale of the vehicle, the certificate of control must go back to less than six months. If one of the noted defects requires a check inspection, the vehicle must be repaired and presented in the two months.

Papers and document concerning with the vehicle

All moments, the driver must be able to present the official documents concerning the vehicle and the control of the vehicle:

the driving license
the automobile license, delivered by the prefecture of the department of residence
the certificate of insurance
the certificate of insurance (on the windshield)
the macaroon of technical control (on the windshield)

Passengers and loading of the vehicle

The passengers all of the vehicle must be sitted on a seat and girdled. The children of less than 10 years must be sitted with the back of the vehicle (except if the child is transported in an approved special device or in the event of impossibility).

The loading of the vehicle should not exceed 2,55 meters of width. In length it should never exceed the balance of the vehicle if it is placed in front of this one; with the back of the vehicle it should not exceed 3 meters length and be announced by an approved reflective device as soon as it exceeds the length of 1 meter. The P.T.A.C. of the vehicle should not be exceeded.

The trailers whose P.T.A.C. is lower than 500 kg have only one number plate reproducing that of the towing vehicle. Beyond 500 kg, a registration and an automobile license specific to the trailer are obligatory. According to the size of the trailer, 2 side-lights and 2 devices reflective with front, 2 reflective devices with the back, reflective devices oranges and end-outline marker lamps on the sides as well as a warning triangle on board can be necessary.

Circulation

Starting from a private place or of a parking space, the driver which wishes to form part of circulation must indicate the direction in which it wishes to fit, possibly to yield the passage and to make sure that it will not obstruct any other user.

Once inserted in circulation, the driver rolls in rule general in the way on the right safe in the event of particular assignment of the way to a particular direction or particular vehicles, or if circulation is established in uninterrupted files (in this case, it is interdict to change way, except changing direction). The driver joining a slowed down or stopped file must warn the users arriving behind him by actuating the hazard warning signal. The crawler lane should be used only by the drivers circulating with less than 60 km/h. The hard shoulder (on highway and certain fast tracks) as for it is reserved for the emergency stops (breakdown, incident or faintness) and for the circulation of particular vehicles.

On the roads for cars and highways, it is interdict to make step back or half-turn, to stop or station. The driver using a highway must often discharge the amount of tolls.

The driver wishing to change direction must make sure that indication does not prohibit the operation and that this one can be carried out without danger; it can then form part of circulation according to the described procedure will infra. It is necessary to tighten on the right in its way to go on the right, on the left in its way to go on the left. on the left if one wishes to form part of a way of left.

Authorized maximum speed

The driver must, out the case of particular rules, to circulate at a speed equal or lower than the general limitations. Except incident announced by its hazard warning lights, it is to him interdict to circulate at an abnormally reduced speed However, the driver must always adapt its speed to the conditions of traffic, adherence and visibility. It must permanently keep under control its speed.

speed is limited to 90 km/h when the vehicle is equipped with tires with cramps (the disc announcing the cramps is obligatory)
speed is limited to 50 km/h when the visibility is equal or lower than 50 meters
in normal conditions, it formally prohibited to circulate with less than 80 km/h in the way on the left of a highway

Crossings and goings beyond

Crossings

In general, the users who cross remain or tighten on the right so as to avoid any collision risk; however, certain crossing make exception.

If the width of the road is insufficient, the rule to yield the passage applies:

with the most cumbersome vehicle (except for public transport in agglomeration)
with the vehicle which meets the obstacle an obstacle on its way
with all the users crossing a vehicle of urgent intervention

If the road is with strong declivity:

the vehicle going down stops the first
the lightest vehicle or most handy moves back if the crossing is impossible

Finally an indication of alternate crossing can be installation: in a temporary way by mobile fires or stakes, or in a permanent way by panels.

Goings beyond

In general, the goings beyond are carried out by the left after being assured which it is possible to carry out them, and that in full safety (not panels or markings out of the ground particular, not of intersection or level crossing, not of lack of visibility except if the driver remains entirely in its direction of circulation…) However the goings beyond can be exceptionally carried out by the line: if a user turns left and that space on the right is sufficient; if it is a question of passing a tram which circulates in the middle of a roadway with double direction (the going beyond is on the other hand interdict on the side or assemble and kill the passengers when the tram is with the stop).

To exceed pedestrians, riders, animals, vehicles with animal haulage or machines with 2 or 3 wheels, the drivers should not approach some laterally with less than one meter in agglomeration or of one meter and half except agglomeration.

A driver about to be exceeded must tighten on the right without modifying its pace.

Stop and parking

General rules

The stop is the temporary immobilization of the vehicle in order to allow its loading or unloading (passengers and/or goods), the driver remaining near its vehicle to be able to move it immediately. The parking is an immobilization of the vehicle where the driver does not carry out any the operations characterizing the stop. The engine must be stopped, even for a parking of short duration.

In agglomeration, the driver must station on the sites envisaged (carparks and delimited places) or on the flat rim of the roadways with double direction and the flat rim or left of the roadways with one way.

Except agglomeration, the driver must station on the arranged surfaces (highway rest areas, car parks on road) or on the verge right preferably.

From night or by a bad visibility, on a nonenlightened roadway, the vehicle must be announced (by its side-lights, its red lights back as well as the lighting of its plate).

Prohibited stop and parking

The stop and the parking can sometimes be dangerous or awkward; they are then generally prohibited. Prohibition to station appears by an oblique bar on blue bottom in a round red panel. Prohibition to stop and station appears by a cross on blue bottom in a round red panel.

In the same way the stop and the parking are implicitly prohibited in a general way whenever they are regarded as dangerous because of visibility:

near an intersection
near a level crossing
near a turn
near a top of coast

The stop and the parking also prohibited because are regarded as awkward, on the ways or the reserved sites with certain categories of users:

on the pavement
on a crossing for pedestrians
on a tape or cycle track
on a ride
on a taxi or bus lane
on a bus stop

Finally the stop and the parking are also regarded as awkward (and thus prohibited):

if they mask fires or control panels
if they prevent the access or the release of a vehicle parking
if they oblige the other drivers to overlap a continuous line
on and under the bridges, in the underpasses and the tunnels
if they obstruct the access to a mouth of fire or an underground installation

In certain cases, the parking alone is prohibited and the simple stop remains tolerated:

in front of the entries suitable for motor vehicles of the buildings (garage or carries carriage)
in double file

In all the cases and in a general way, a parking cannot exceed one 7 days duration. Local regulations can impose one lower duration (example: 24 hours in Paris).

Regulated parking

The parking is generally not règlementè (subjected to particular rules) and is carried out according to the general rules to which it is subjected. However, it can sometimes be limited or prohibited for a certain period; certain days (example: market days); at certain hours; beyond of a certain duration or with certain categories of users.

The parking at duration limited can be paying (payment by ticket machine or parking meter) or free with control by disc (in these parking places called “restricted parking zones” because of color of markings, the driver must place behind its windshield a disc indicating the hour of its arrival).

The parking at limited time can also be unilateral with semi-monthly alternation: 1st at the 15th day of each month (at 9 p.m.) the parking is carried out odd side of the dwellings; 16th at the last day of the month (here also at 9 p.m. in general) the parking is carried out even side of the dwellings. In the simple streets or the parking is alternate, of the panels prohibit to station on the side where they are effective, during the fortnight indicated.

Visibility, lighting and warnings

See and to be considering

Not to be surprised and be able to act in time, the driver must have a good sight, panes and rear view mirrors clean; it must be placed on the roadway in order to have the best visibility; it must use the windshield wipers and demisting as much as necessary. The driver must as well be seen on any occasion, so as not to surprise the other users. It must use the flashing lights for any change of trajectory or direction; it must use the hazard warning lights at the time of a breakdown or an incident, an important deceleration or a stopper when it is the last of the file; it must use the sound signalling hooter to announce its presence (only day except agglomeration), or to prevent in the event of immediate danger; finally it must make luminous calls for the other drivers when that is necessary, of day or night.

Harms, bad weather

The use of fires is regulated, because it is a question of having the best visibility of night or by bad weather, without dazzling the other drivers:

in agglomeration, when the roadway is sufficiently lit, the driver rolls in dipped headlights or side-lights alone.
except agglomeration, when the roadway is sufficiently lit, the driver rolls in fires crossing.
on a nonenlightened roadway, the driver must use the main-beam headlamps. It must return in dipped headlights when it is likely to dazzle another user opposite or in front of him. To pass a vehicle on a nonenlightened roadway, it is advised to inform the vehicle which will be exceeded then to put the dipped headlights temporarily in order not to dazzle it.

By bad weather, the visibility is very reduced, whatever the roadway used; the driver must thus circulate in dipped headlights and can also use fires before fog, even the rear lights of fog (in the event of strong fog or of snow).

Practical control

Form driver

Tiredness is the alcohol abuse are two great causes of accident. The maximum threshold of blood alcohol content authorized is of 0,50 grams per liter of blood. If tracking by éthylotest electronic or chemical seems to show that this threshold was crossed, a checking has place by blood test or ethylometer (highly reliable means of measurement). These last measurements hold places of proof in front of the courts.

Speed and led

To calculate speed in m/s roughly, it is necessary to multiply by 3 the figure of tens of speed in km/h (example: with 50 km/h, the vehicle traverses 15 m/s). The reaction time of the driver lambda is always from at least 1 second (this time is increased considerably by alcohol, the drugs, drugs, tiredness, distraction etc) The braking distance depends mainly on the speed of the vehicle. The braking distance increases like the square speed: the driver which rolls twice more quickly will put four times more time to stop, and the driver which rolls three times more quickly will put nine times more time to stop. The braking distance is doubled on wet road. The stopping distance is thus the addition of the distance covered during the reaction time of the driver as well as the braking distance. To roughly calculate the stopping distance of the vehicle under normal conditions, it is enough to multiply by him even the figure of tens of speed. In conclusion, the driver must thus always leave an interval of safety of 2 or 3 seconds between its position and that of the vehicle which precedes it (for example, approximately 2 hard shoulders on highway…)

Example: the vehicle runs to 9 0 km/h.

Reaction time: approximately 1 second
Distance from reaction: 9 X 3 = 27, is approximately 27 meters
Distance braking: approximately 45 meters
Distance stopping: 9 X 9 , is approximately 81 meters

Accidents

In the event of accident, it is essential to protect the people present on the spot, to alert the competent services then to help according to its means the casualties. The user implied in an accident which does not stop immediately or which does not communicate its identity and its coordinates makes a hit and run offense. The person who abstains from carrying help or to make carry help makes an offense of non-assistance to anybody in danger.

Offenses against the highway code and sanctions

Infringments

The infringments are minor infringements. They are sanctioned by a fine, and possibly by a withdrawal of points and a suspension of the license.

Examples of infringments:

prohibited parking
circulation on the Hard shoulder
change of management without indicator
defect of wearing of belt (in the motorized vehicle)

Offenses

The offenses are more serious infringements. They can involve important sorrows: cancellation of the license, immobilization or confiscation of the vehicle, imprisonment.

Examples of offenses:

manslaughter
driving under influence of intoxication (+ of 0,5 alcohol g/l in blood)
offense hit and run
excess speed (+ of 30 km/h beyond authorized speed)

Notes and references of the article

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