Stress free driving

Since we moved to France we have commented on how quiet the motorways are compared to those back in Great Britain and friends have concurred.

However, when we reached the péage we found cars jostling to get a place in the fastest moving lane, had to rummage to find the ticket, beg money from the children to make up the correct amount and driven off promising to be more organised; next time.

If you have felt the same way and have a French bank account you could be one of those people who seem to glide through the lane marked with the letter T above it. This is because they have a Liber-t badge.

For an annual payment of 24 euros you are provided with a badge which attaches to your windscreen. As you approach the barrier your details are recorded and the amount for the journey is then debited from your bank account while you sail through and leave those cars that have sped past you on the motorway still waiting to pay!

We saved about 30 minutes at péages on our last visit to England and found the device extremely easy to use. You are provided with a small pouch to hold the badge which they advise you not to leave in your car, should it be stolen no one can use the badge.

Application forms are available from péages and from www.autoroutes.fr/liber-t/trajet.php where you can apply on line and the badges can be used on autoroutes all over France.

With one little badge you could say good bye to the queues at the péages and enjoy stress free driving in France once again.