Eric Clapton caught speeding...

[brownie]

From AFP:

DIJON, France (AFP) - Rock legend Eric Clapton has had his driving licence confiscated after being caught driving at 216 kilometres per hour (135 mph) on a French motorway.

Clapton, who was at the wheel of a Porsche 911 turbo, was stopped on Tuesday afternoon by motorcycle police on the A6 near the Burgundy town of Beaune.

In addition to losing his licence the rock star was fined 750 euros (925 dollars). He continued his journey with his secretary driving the vehicle.

Clapton seems to have been caught well above the 130-kilometer speed limit on French highways.

[BERIGAN]

MAN, wonder how the secretary felt! I like speed as well, but 135!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DTMX]

After shooting the sheriff, he had to make a quick getaway.

Didn't shoot the deputy, though.

[Guest ariceffron]

DOES THAT MEAN CLAPTON JUST CANT DRIVE IN FRANCE, OR ALL OF EUROPE?

[Alec]

slowhand....

......but leadfoot.

[couw]

DOES THAT MEAN CLAPTON JUST CANT DRIVE IN FRANCE, OR ALL OF EUROPE?

THE POLICE TOOK HIS DRIVER'S LICENCE AWAY, HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE WHERE A DRIVER'S LICENCE IS A PREREQUISITE FOR DRIVING A CAR.

[Guest ariceffron]

I THINK YOU MUST BE MISTAKEN HERE- IF HIS LICENCE IS FROM ENGLAND THE FRENCH POLICE CANT DISCONTINE HIS BRITISH LICENCE SERVICE. AND IF THEY TAKE IT AWAY CANT HE JUST ORDER A NEW ONE WHEN HE GETS BACK TO ENGLAND. HOW CAN FRENCH POLICE HAVE JURISDICTION TO TAKE AWAY A BRITISH LICENCE?

[Guest ariceffron]

see i was right

Walkin' Blues: Clapton Loses License

Thu Oct 14, 4:15 PM ET Entertainment - E! Online

By Josh Grossberg

Eric Clapton (news) has been banned from driving in France after police busted the rocker for whizzing down a highway at 134 mph.

Clapton, 59, was behind the wheel of his Porsche 911 Turbo, cruising 53 mph over the speed limit, when he was pulled over by cops near the town of Merceuil, not far from the city of Dijon, the mustard-monikered city about 190 miles east of Paris.

Britain's most famous blues traveler was subsequently slapped with a $922 fine and his U.K. license was suspended, preventing him from getting behind the wheel in France.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer didn't seem too put out about losing his French driving priveleges. He paid the fine and posed for pictures with officers.

Clapton was then consigned to the passenger seat of his Porsche and chauffeured away by his secretary.

The "Crossroads" crooner won't need a ride back to the French countryside for a court date--he's not required to appear at a traffic hearing where authorities will decide how long he will be prohibited from driving there. According to local police, Clapton will likely have to go through diplomatic channels to get his license reinstated.

He can still get behind the wheel back home in England.

The 16-time Grammy winner has been pretty busy for a guy mulling retirement.

Aside from touring America over the summer in support of his latest release, Me & Mr. Johnson, Clapton turned up in Los Angeles in August to imprint his hands and signature on Sunset Boulevard's famed Rockwalk, honoring music industry icons. And last year, he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire title by Queen Elizabeth.

[Jazzmoose]

GLAD YOU GOT THAT KEYBOARD FIXED, DUDE!

[wolff]

I guess he should move to Montana.

[JohnJ]

I guess he should move to Montana.

Germany would be easier.

[Claude]

Clapton will indeed be able to drive in the UK.

An european agreement from 1998 that makes withdrawal of the driving license effective in every country that signed it has not yet entered into force.

Justice matters are still an area where EU integration is the least advanced. Many matters have to rely on bilateral or multilateral agreements instead of EU legislation, which would be easier and faster to pass.

Edited October 15, 2004 by Claude