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Road

Motorways bear the prefix 'A' and national roads 'N'. Minor roads are classed as 'D' roads. Traffic drives on the right and drivers must give way to the right, unless the route is marked with Passage ProtÉgÉ signs (a broad arrow, a yellow diamond or an 'X' on a triangular background) or the driver is at a roundabout indicating vous n'avez pas la prioritÉ. Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation, 90kph (46mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. Visitors who have held a driving licence for less than two years face tighter speed restrictions. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Seat belts must be worn by all front- and rear-seat passengers. Children under ten years may not travel in the front seat. A national driving licence, the car's registration document and a red warning triangle must be carried at all times, or the driver can be fined. All headlamp beams must be adjusted for right-side driving by use of beam deflectors or by tilting the headlamp bulb-holder.

The French police fine motorists on the spot for driving offences such as speeding. The legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05% and random breath tests for drinking and driving are common. EU nationals taking their own cars to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card, without which insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal cover in France. The Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the car owner's domestic policy. The Regional Motorway Network (tel: (04) 9178 7878) provides information on traffic conditions and driving regulations.

Emergency breakdown service (toll free):
Inter-Mutuelles Assistance (0800) 75 75 75.
Free telephones are situated every one kilometre (0.6 miles) for motorway breakdowns

Routes to the city: The Côte d'Azur is linked to the European network of motorways. The A8 EstÉrel motorway links Paris to Cannes (travel time - 8 hours). From Nice, Exit 42 (Cannes Est) leads to Cannes (travel time - 30 minutes).

Coach services: The Gare Routière de Nice is Nice's international coach station, situated at Promenade du Paillon. Agence Intercars-Eurolines (tel: (04) 9380 0870; fax: (04) 9380 4220) and Agence Phoceens Cars, 2 place MassÉna, Nice (tel: (04) 9385 6661; fax: (04) 0313 8201) both provide regular services to major European centres.

There are two domestic coach stations (gares routières) in Cannes. The main one, at place Cornut-Gentille (tel: (04) 9339 1871), serves coastal destinations, the other, at place de l'Hôtel de Ville, provides an inland service. Companies operating from both stations include Rapides Côte d'Azur (tel: (04) 9339 1139), which links Cannes to Nice centre and airport; and CTM (tel: (04) 9390 9292), which links Cannes to Grasse and Mandelieu.



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