In 2018 the default speed limit for single lane in each direction roads in France was reduced from 90km/h to 80km/h. The stated reason was a reduction in fuel consumption, and a reduction in the road toll. Both of these aims were achieved, but deliberately misrepresented by certain media outlets as an assault on freedoms (or something, who can tell with nutters) and led to the Gilets Jaunes stuff.
Two years later the reductions were partially reversed and the road death toll shot up again. The changes were publicised as a victory for "common sense" and a poke in the eye for Macron.
The problem is that some Départements instantly put the default limit back up to 90km/h, and some didn't. There's no rhyme or reason for who did - or didn't - and often, when driving into a different Département there is no indication of what the new default limit is. In Indre et Loire the limit reverted to 90km/h on about 300km of roads in September 2020 leaving most (about 93%) of roads at 80km/h. The latter fact wasn't headline material, so wasn't publicised nearly as widely as "speed limits return to 90kmh".
So in Indre et Loire, unless the Route Departmental is signposted at 90, drive at 80. It will save you money in fuel costs. It may even save you money in other ways as well.
3 comments:
And now an emissions certificate for the front windscreen?
When I drive at 80 km/h I am usually overtaken by several other vehicles.
There is a stretch of road between Ciran and Loches which appears to be 90 km/h going one way, where it is two lanes, and 80 km/h going the other way, where it is just one lane. I have looked several times and can see no sign that says 90 in that direction. I wonder if this is unusual.
Jean: I'm always happy when I get overtaken. Gets rid of them on my bumper. The D910 has sections where the speed limit is 80 on one side with a single lane and 90 with two lanes going the other way, between La Celle Saint Avant and Sainte Maure de Touraine.
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