New Rules for Driving in France

1. Personal Breathalyzers:

Beginning 1 July, 2012, every driver operating a motor vehicle in France must have in their possession (in the vehicle) a personal breathalyzer device. It must be new, unused, and valid. Breathalyzers can be purchased at the French border and at any gas station in France.

Violation of this new law is considered a “Fourth Class Fine”. If  the fine is paid within three (3) days, the fine is €90. If paid between four (4) and twenty-nine (29) days, the fine is €135. If not paid until on or after the 30^th day, the fine is €375.

2.  Radar Detectors:

Radar detectors are illegal in France even when they are not in use. Possession of a radar detector in your vehicle will cost you a fine of €1,500, the detector will be confiscated, and your vehicle can also be impounded or confiscated.

Satellite Navigation systems and GPS systems that indicate where speed cameras are set up are also illegal. Possession of a SATNAV or GPS system that shows speed cameras in your vehicle will cost you a fine of €1,500, the system will be confiscated, and your vehicle can also be impounded or confiscated. If it is possible, use the software to disable this function before driving into France. If it is not possible to disable this function, leave the system at home.

3. Visibility Vests: Possession in the vehicle of “Visibility Vests” is mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle. All occupants must put on the vest before getting out of the vehicle on a road; such as for a break down or accident.

 

4. Warning Triangles: Possession and use of Warning Triangles is mandatory. Four-way flashers may be used in conjunction with the Warning Triangle.

 

The Netherlands School Vacation Schedule 2012

The Netherlands is a small country, there is no disputing that. To lower the congestion and crowds during the summer school break the government divided the country into three zones: Nord Nederland, Midden Nederland, and Zuid Nederland (North, Middle, and South Netherlands). Each of these zones takes its summer school holiday on different schedules. So only one third of the country is on holiday at any given time, although there is some over lap.

This system gives you the opportunity to plan your vacation around your Dutch hosts.It also greatly impacts driving. During the Zuid Nederland school holiday period my drive to Weert every day is much easier because there are fewer cars on the road; they are all off on vacation.

The schedule rotates every year so each zone gets to have the different weeks of the summer off. So, what is the schedule this year?

 Zomervakantie 2012 - Nederland

Primary (Elementary) School:

North Netherlands               21 Jul 2012 t/m  2 Sep 2012   
Middle Netherlands             7 Jul 2012 t/m    19 Aug 2012   
South Netherlands               30 Jun 2012 t/m 12 Aug 2012   

Middle and High School:

North Netherlands               14 Jul 2012 t/m   2 Sep 2012
Middle Netherlands              7 Jul 2012 t/m    26 Aug 2012   
South Netherlands                30 Jun 2012 t/m 19 Aug 2012

The North Region consists of the following Provinces:

• Groningen
• Friesland
• Drente
• Overijssel
• Noord-Holland
• Flevoland (met uitzondering van Zeewolde)
• Gelderland: Alleen (only) Hattem
• Utrecht: Alleen (only) Eemnes 

 The Middle Region consists of the following Provinces:

• Zuid-Holland
• Utrecht (met uitzondering van Eemnes en Loosdrecht)
• Noord-Brabant: Alleen Werkendam, Woudrichem
• Flevoland: Alleen Zeewolde
• Gelderland voor de plaatsen (for the places): Aalten, Apeldoorn, Barneveld, Bergh (gemeente Montferland), Berkelland, Brummen, Buren, Culemborg, Dinxperlo, Doetinchem, Echteld, Ede, Elburg, Epe, Ermelo, Geldermalsen, Gorssel, Groenlo, Harderwijk, Heerde, Hengelo, Hoevelaken, Hummelo en Keppel, Kesteren, Lichtenvoorde, Lienden, Lingewaal, Lochem, Maurik, Neerijnen, Nijkerk, Nunspeet, Oldebroek, Oude IJsselstreek, Putten, Scherpenzeel, Steenderen, Tiel, Voorst, Vorden, Wageningen, Warnsveld, Wehl, Winterswijk, Zelhem, Zutphen

 The South Region consists of the following Provinces:

• Zeeland
• Limburg
• Noord-Brabant (met uitzondering van Werkendam en Woudrichem)
• Gelderland voor de plaatsen: Ammerzoden, Angerlo, Arnhem, Bemmel, Beuningen, Brakel, Didam (gemeente Montferland), Dodewaard, Doesburg, Druten, Duiven, Groesbeek, Hedel, Heerewaarden, Heumen, Kerkwijk, Maasdriel, Millingen aan de Rijn, Nijmegen, Overbetuwe, Renkum, Rheden, Rozendaal, Rijnwaarden, Ubbergen, Valburg, Westervoort, West Maas en Waal, Wijchen, Zaltbommel, Zevenaar.