Various French updates

Having just rejoined the Club since we moved to France may I offer a few updates on travelling in France? First, there are new signs on a few French dual carriageways, for instance near St Brieuc in Brittany, which will flash to warn drivers that someone is driving the wrong way!  There is a real problem with elderly drivers going "contra-sens". If you see one flashing, be prepared to stop in a hurry and be very alert. They say "Danger Contra-sens!".   Second, do be very careful to STOP at STOP signs. In their haste to make money the police do covert checks and merely crawling over at 0.5mph will earn you a 90 euro fine demanded on the spot and four penalty points. They say you should count to 5 before moving off.  Third, the ethylotest breathalysers are NOT compulsory now. They have not enacted the law and newspaper reports suggest they will soon be abandoned.   Fourth, the new speed checks on unmarked cars mentioned elsewhere on the Forum are now in use in the area between St Malo/Caen/Cherbourg and the rest of France but my friend the Major in charge of our local traffic police assures me they are only out to catch people doing very high speeds which isn't likely to be a motor caravan or caravan outfit.   However the fixed cameras are now often marked with flashing signs which indicate your speed. If you see one of these you will be about to pass a fixed camera and these allow very little margin of error. The new short black pole cameras are also capable of distinguishing types of vehicle and wet weather when the limits are reduced so do take care on that score.  Hope this helps.   Finally, if you are in central Brittany do come and look at the brand new five million euro Aquarev water park and campsite at Loudeac just off the N164, an hour and bit from St Malo.  It is perfect for young families.