This week the French government approved a set of laws allowing the police to seize vehicles belonging to tourists caught in high-speed traps unless they pay up to 375 Euro (US $480) in fines on-the-spot. The worst penalties come with driving 50km/h (31 MPH) over the limit.

"We want to ensure equality between French road users and foreigners," French Inter-ministerial Delegate for Road safety told the London Times. "At the moment, most foreigners caught by speed cameras escape punishment."

The country has 1500 speed cameras in operation and tourists -- primarily from Germany, Spain and Britain -- account for about fifteen percent of tickets. The French government is making changes so that this revenue does not go uncollected. Foreign cars recorded by a speed camera will be logged in a national database.