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Changes to French driving laws

9th January 2012, by Chris Gill

Changes to the French driving laws have come into effect, or will do so by the spring, as part of the government’s plans to reduce road deaths and related driving issues.

If you are planning a trip to the French Alps by car, or hiring a car to drive about, there are a couple of things in the new laws worth noting.

Firstly, many of us rely on Satnavs to get us from A to B and back again. Some of them are set up to alert us to the presence of speed cameras. In France, this is being outlawed. So, now you’ll have to turn off this feature, or not have a navigation gadget at all.

The new ruling came into effect on 1 January. Equipment which detects a radar signal has always been banned in France, but the new laws take matters a step further by banning ‘driver aids’ which incorporate the data that warns of speed camera presence. Arguably, this information is already available with such sites as Michelin Maps, but the new law stands.

Some satnav manufacturers have stopped the inclusion of speed trap data in their latest devices, but existing users can get a software update – to remove the offending data! We’re told that Tom Tom has introduced updates to remove the locations from their systems.

If it’s not removed and you are found to be in possession of such an item, then there are fines up to 1500 euro and / or six points on the driving licence.

Another unusual measure is that drivers will, from this year, have to carry a driver’s breathalyser kit. Such equipment is already being introduced on public transport, but drivers will also be expected to carry the gear. The breathalysers will allow drivers to check whether they are under the legal limit before driving. Drivers caught without one in their car will face a 17 euro fine.

The new measures, proposed by President Sarkozy at the end of last year, are part of a continued programme to cut the number of road deaths in France. Some ferry companies have stated that they will make the kit available for purchase on board, so that drivers can buy before arrival in France and ensure that they comply with the new laws.

Alpine drivers should be able to buy the breath-test equipment cheaply from their hire centres too, at only a few euros. Oddly, we’ve read that there will be no actual change in the drink-drive penalties in France – which currently mean that, unlike the UK, there is no automatic ban of at least a year if caught. However, drunk drivers still lose six points from their licence, which is a tough call in itself.

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