Speed camera warnings - can they be switched off?

[Box of Frogs]

Hello,
I am going to France in a few weeks and have read that since jan this year it has been illegal to have a 'speed camera warning device' on your vehicle - this INCLUDES sat navs with the capability.

Does anyone know if the function can be switched off on a zumo 660?

The fine is £1500 and it's up to the police if they want to take the device or even the bike!!!

 

[Bugbear]

http://www.garmin.com/uk/extras-camera-alerts/#france

 

[Box of Frogs]

Marvellous

Brilliant, thanks for the quick and helpful reply

 

[Mick_rw]

The way I read the law on this, your device needs a database to show the locations of the speed cameras, if you have never purchased or loaded the French database then there is no need to turn it off. As all you are doing is disabling the database. The device its self is incapable of detecting speed cameras.

As to confiscating your bike, they can only do that if the device is permannetly attached to the vehicle and cannot be unplugged, and I am sure your GPS is not bolted down, like in a car.

Of course I could be talking a load of bollocks......

 

[cookie]

do you have to turn off the later, renamed, Danger Areas (or whatever they are called)?

 

[Bugbear]

do you have to turn off the later, renamed, Danger Areas (or whatever they are called)?

No they are OK and legal.

The reality in use is that the GPS now gives a vague idea of a camera location although on mine sometimes you will get a very accurate countdown to a camera.

What is changing is that the huge camera warning signs are being replaced by flashing signs that show you're actual speed. More effective than any GPS.

GPS will never tell you about Plod hiding under camouflage netting in bushes with a hand-held unit.

I just don't speed anymore I can't afford the fines

 

[cookie]

thanks.

i never really use them anyway. just wanted to know if they needed disabling.

 

[stolzy]

do you have to turn off the later, renamed, Danger Areas (or whatever they are called)?

According to Garmin the 'danger area' database is legal in France. But tough luck if you have a zumo550,

 

[stolzy]

I read on their FAQ:

Q8: Are there any other countries with the same or similar law?

A8: No other country from those currently included in the Garmin Safety Camera database has any plans to issue a similar law to the French one in the foreseeable future.

Really? What about Switzerland, Austria etc?