New road rules set to come in

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PRESENT NEW TOUGHER RULES ON DRIVING OFFENCES, MOST WILL START IMMEDIATELY TOUGHER road safety rules are coming in from this week. A raft of measures relating to driving

– which were debated last year as part of the Loppsi 2 law on security – are to be presented tomorrow, many of them expected to apply immediately. They will be published in Le Journal

Officiel this week, the final rubber stamp for a new law. They are to be announced by Interior Minister Claude Guéant at the same time as he presents the latest road accident figures. The

measures include: - Using speed camera warning devices banned. In theory using a device that warns of cameras will be punishable with a €1,500 fine and the loss of six points. Many have

warned of likely practical difficulties, due to widespread ownership of devices including such data, such as satellite navigation equipment. According to Le Figaro it is being recommended to

update systems so they no longer carry the data, but if yours does have it still you should “not activate this option”. It is not clear how this would be enforced. - Higher fines for

driving while talking on a mobile phone – from a €35 fine and loss of two points, to a €135 fine and three points. - A €1,500 fine for watching a film while driving, instead of €135; loss of

three points instead of two. - A €135 fine for crossing into the hard shoulder; the €35 fine for driving on it goes up to the same amount. - All school buses to be fitted with equipment

that tests the driver’s breath before allowing the vehicle to start. - Municipal police to have new powers to carry out drug use tests