Give Way rules in Belgium

SD1too · 18th March 2013, 19:40

We are planning a trip to Belgium by Rover 75.

SWMBO has had her head buried in travel books quoting driving regulations to me. These books say that, even on main roads, traffic is required to give way to vehicles joining from the right, unless marked with a yellow diamond on a white background.

I thought that this was the case decades ago, but not any more, at least in France where the 'give way' rules seem to be the same as in the UK. I think that the books are hopelessly out of date.

Can anyone tell me with certainty that I am wrong? Do I have to drive along a main road slowly at 50 kph in case a farmer drives his tractor out of a side turning into my path?

Simon

Jakg · 18th March 2013, 19:46

AFAIK in France in towns it works like that, but not in the country - if it's between the "welcome to {Frenchtown}" and "goodbye from {Frenchtown}", Priorité a droite applies.

I think.

PLEASE Google this more and don't just take my word for it!

beinet1 · 19th March 2013, 05:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

We are planning a trip to Belgium by Rover 75.

SWMBO has had her head buried in travel books quoting driving regulations to me. These books say that, even on main roads, traffic is required to give way to vehicles joining from the right, unless marked with a yellow diamond on a white background.

I thought that this was the case decades ago, but not any more, at least in France where the 'give way' rules seem to be the same as in the UK. I think that the books are hopelessly out of date.

Can anyone tell me with certainty that I am wrong? Do I have to drive along a main road slowly at 50 kph in case a farmer drives his tractor out of a side turning into my path?

Simon

Its like this in Norway. If the `give way`is not regulated by signs, traffic ligths i.e., you have to give way for the ones that comes from the rigth. Here in Norway, this mostly applies when driving in city centres and village areas as most other roads/crossroads are regulated by signs and traffic ligths.

BTW, what are the `give way`rules in the UK??

sikelsh · 19th March 2013, 07:10

I drove down to Charleroi about 2 years ago, didnt notice this at all

I understood it to be changed sometime ago, if it hasn't, then it didn't happen to me.

Theres a definate change in driving style when you get in to Belgium, they seem less aggressive than the French (sweeping statement I guess) but it was very pleasant driving.

Wouldnt worry about it personally.

Simon

SD1too · 19th March 2013, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikelsh

... they seem less aggressive than the French ..

Who isn't?

Thanks for your help.

Simon

mikesmith2 · 19th March 2013, 10:31

Drive as you normally would.

They are a lot more devious with their speed cameras though, especially on motorways where they just put a small tripod on the side of the road then have police further down to stop offenders.

I spent many years driving in and through Belgium and never had a problem.

Le Titien · 19th March 2013, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by beinet1

Its like this in Norway. If the `give way`is not regulated by signs, traffic ligths i.e., you have to give way for the ones that comes from the rigth. Here in Norway, this mostly applies when driving in city centres and village areas as most other roads/crossroads are regulated by signs and traffic ligths.

Exactly the same in Belgium ! The old rule "give way from the right" still exists (same as in France BTW), but there are signs or traffic lights at most crossroads except in city and village areas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesmith2

Drive as you normally would.

Don't take this advice, you'd better not keep left on the continent

COLVERT · 19th March 2013, 18:50

[/COLOR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

AFAIK in France in towns it works like that, but not in the country - if it's between the "welcome to {Frenchtown}" and "goodbye from {Frenchtown}", Priorité a droite applies.

I think.

PLEASE Google this more and don't just take my word for it!

Correct----Except in some towns on roundabouts the traffic on the roundabout has to give way to traffic coming in !!!!!
Very confusing---and I live here.

Colvert.

COLVERT · 19th March 2013, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesmith2

Drive as you normally would.

They are a lot more devious with their speed cameras though, especially on motorways where they just put a small tripod on the side of the road then have police further down to stop offenders.

I spent many years driving in and through Belgium and never had a problem.

They put these mobile cameras 200 yards further down the road from the fixed cameras.
You think you're safe and boot it and they've gottcha !!!

Colvert.

COLVERT · 19th March 2013, 18:59

Just remember that in Britain the left side is the right side and the right side is the wrong side; over here the left side is the wrong side and the right side is the right side !

18th March 2013, 19:40	#1
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,446 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Give Way rules in Belgium We are planning a trip to Belgium by Rover 75. SWMBO has had her head buried in travel books quoting driving regulations to me. These books say that, even on main roads, traffic is required to give way to vehicles joining from the right, unless marked with a yellow diamond on a white background. I thought that this was the case decades ago, but not any more, at least in France where the 'give way' rules seem to be the same as in the UK. I think that the books are hopelessly out of date. Can anyone tell me with certainty that I am wrong? Do I have to drive along a main road slowly at 50 kph in case a farmer drives his tractor out of a side turning into my path? Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

19th March 2013, 07:10	#4
sikelsh This is my second home MGF Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 4,865 Thanks: 123 Thanked 281 Times in 178 Posts	I drove down to Charleroi about 2 years ago, didnt notice this at all I understood it to be changed sometime ago, if it hasn't, then it didn't happen to me. Theres a definate change in driving style when you get in to Belgium, they seem less aggressive than the French (sweeping statement I guess) but it was very pleasant driving. Wouldnt worry about it personally. Simon __________________ Si Kelsh

19th March 2013, 18:59	#10
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Just remember that in Britain the left side is the right side and the right side is the wrong side; over here the left side is the wrong side and the right side is the right side ! Last edited by COLVERT; 19th March 2013 at 19:01..

18th March 2013, 19:46	#2
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	AFAIK in France in towns it works like that, but not in the country - if it's between the "welcome to {Frenchtown}" and "goodbye from {Frenchtown}", Priorité a droite applies. I think. PLEASE Google this more and don't just take my word for it!

19th March 2013, 10:31	#6
mikesmith2 Loves to post None Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Reading Posts: 466 Thanks: 1 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts	Drive as you normally would. They are a lot more devious with their speed cameras though, especially on motorways where they just put a small tripod on the side of the road then have police further down to stop offenders. I spent many years driving in and through Belgium and never had a problem.