Increased Road Security in Provence, France

Police Reinforce Zero Tolerance to Unlawful Road Users in France

Jul 5, 2009 Heidi Brand

Drivers using the main auto route to the South of France from this weekend can expect an increased police and gendarme presence. Their aims are clearly stated.

As the first weekend of the summer exodus to Provence and the Côte d'Azur gets underway, the French authorities have declared that the goal of police and gendarmes is to penalise dangerous behaviour on the roads.

Road traffic safety figures for the first five months of 2009 continue to cause concern and so preventative action has been announced by the Office of the Préfectures in the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Vaucluse, the Var, the Alpes-Maritimes and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Traffic Offences are being Targeted in France

In addition to the reinforcement of the general behaviour of French road users, the police and gendarmes are giving the following areas particular attention:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Using a mobile phone whilst driving
• Failing to stop at red traffic lights
• Failing to stop at stop signs
• Non respect of priorites, for example on roundabouts
• Driving at an unsafe distance from other vehicles
• Failing to wear a helmet or seatbelt

Those who ignore the law face the possibility of their driving liscence being taken away from them on the spot.

French Road Security Checks - Facts and Figures

According to Denis Trossero, in his article 'Tolérance zéro sur les routes pour les premiers departs,' published on 3rd July in the French newspaper, La Provence, 183 police and gendarmes will be involved in 74 security check-points throughout the Bouches-du-Rhône, in addition to the 25 fixed and 21 mobile radar teams over the weekend, 3rd to 5th July.

Meanwhile, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the office of the Préfecture has declared a 'zero tolerance' approach and mobilsed 150 gendarmes during this same period. This law enforcement presence will also be reinforced for France's national holiday, Bastille Day on 14th July.

In addition to increased checks, from the 4th July speed will be reduced by 30km/h in the Bouches-du-Rhône on all routes between 6am and 9pm, due to the high levels of ozone pollution. While on sections of the A8, that run through the Alpes-Maritimes, from the 15th July it will be forbidden for drivers to exceed 110km/h, so reducing breaking distances in an emergency from 129 metres at the usual speed limit of 130km/h to 112 metres under the new initiative.

All areas of French road traffic management are gearing up for the increase in summer travellers over the next couple of months. The Regional Centre of Information and the Coordination of Traffic for the Mediterranean region classed Friday 3rd July and Saturday 4th July as orange on the main routes in the region, and red in the Alpes and on the sector of the motorway around Bollène and Orange. Live updates are avaliable on websites to help drivers plan their journeys as the long hot summer begins.

More information about French driving regulations and requirements can be found at tips for driving a car in France.

The copyright of the article Increased Road Security in Provence, France in W Europe Travel is owned by Heidi Brand. Permission to republish Increased Road Security in Provence, France in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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