UK driver has licence stripped after speeding 125mph instead of 125kmh while abroad

The driver stated that he misread the national speed limit and confused miles with kilometres, the metric used in France.

According to the Connexion, he was caught driving on the A26 motorway last week passing through the Aisne region in the north of France, at 202kmh which is 125mph.

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The maximum speed limit on French motorways is 130 kmh the equivalent to 80mph with the driver stating the metric difference confused him into thinking he was under the speed limit.

He was arrested while driving a Range Rover by French patrol police who immediately signalled him to pull over.

According to the RAC, if a driver is caught speeding on French roads, whether by police, speed camera or another form of traffic enforcement, then will be registered by the French government for breaking the law.

If stopped by police, they can receive an immediate fine which can vary between £57 and £1200 depending on the severity.

But in some cases, drivers can have their licence confiscated and be banned from driving in France or be arrested.

Drivers caught speeding in France by camera will receive a letter within 100 days but the longer drivers wait to pay it, the more it will cost. However, if paid within 15 days, the fine will be reduced.

The driver in this case, however, failed to convince the police of the mishap and had his licence immediately taken away.

The driver was also slapped with a fine and will need to appear in court over the infraction.

Since 2018, the speed limit on many A and B roads in France was reduced to 80kmh (50mph).

This was lowered from 90km/h (56mph) in a bid to make roads across the country safer for all users and impacted over 400,000km of departmental roads.

The RAC said: “For anyone looking at travelling to France who hasn’t done so in many years, British drivers will need to get used to driving slower on two-lane highways than they would at home, even though visitors are likely to mainly use bigger, faster roads during their stay.

“The speed limit reductions apply to roads without a central reservation ‘separator’, like a rail or barrier, between carriageways.”

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The RAC added that for drivers taking a caravan to France, then there are also two speed limits.

If the total weight is under 3.5t, then there is no difference to that of a normal car. However, if the total weight is over the threshold, then motorway driving is limited to 90kmh.