'Priorite a Droit' Juctions in France

A link for you, which tries to explain the mysterious French passion of 'Priorite a Droit' junctions.

http://pyreneesmotorcycletours.com/2014/04/12/priority-to-the-right/

The link is all very well, but as is usual with 'Driving in France' advice, it does not go far enough, as it only gives examples  of la Prorite in built-up areas connected by 'Passage Protecte' roads.

There are lots of non-priority roads in France, such as the 'D' roads connecting our village, on which there are several roads joining from the right - most of these have the 'crossroads' sign (aka a railway crossing sign in the UK)  and so are junctions where priorite a droit applies. 

Unfortunately it takes a real effort for most Brits to come to terms with this, as it is so utterly foriegn to them, for we naturally regard a small track joining a 'real' road as one on which traffic should give way to us.

It is a pity that the dotted 'give way' line at the juctions were not replaced by a solid 'Stop' line, and a single 'Stop' sign fitted on the joining road, but we have to accept it and work with it.

Most French drivers do not indeed push their Priorite, but there are always a few who do, not realising that while the law may be on their side, it also requires them to be sure that the other driver is giving way to them before pulling out and perhgaps causing a collision.

Generally speaking, Priorite a Droit works well in built-up areas where a junction may not have any strict prority order - for example, our village has a crossroads where it works well, everyone knowing what their position is, and acting accordingly, rather than making ambiguous and meaningless headlamp flashes,  then pulling out together, then stopping together, untill one takes priority for themselves!

It also enables traffic on a side roads to get onto the 'major' road during conditions of heavy traffic.

The best advice is to expect others to take priority at such junctions, but do not assume it yourself when in a similar situation unless the traffic on your left has stopped.

Also - if you are pulling out of a Priorite juction and truning left, remember that although the traffic on your left will give way to you, the approaching traffic coming from your right is not required to do so.  Also watch for motorcycists filtering at speed past the stationary traffic to your left!


Edited by Mike Fishwick - 13 Apr 2014 at 9:01am

Priorite a Droit is not unusual in Europe, but not tothe extent of France - usually just in built-up areas.

Anyway - the EU is not the motoring antichrist some people would have us believe - the real problems come from the UK government.  In France we have no VED, an MoT every two years, and 80 mph motorways without the usual UK whines from various pressure groups, from Brake to the RSPB.  A few years ago a lot of our rural speed limits were raised, while in the UK speed limits keep being lowered to satisfy the moans of self-interest groups . . . until it affects their members!

The UK lobbying system is the real danger to motorists, not the EU - but what else can one expect from the nation which gave us the Red Flag Act?


Edited by Mike Fishwick - 22 Apr 2014 at 5:31pm