Drivers using mobile phones targeted
By Craig McGinty on Nov 28, 2008 in Current Affairs.
A POWERFUL television and radio advertising campaign has been launched by the French government as part of a crackdown on driving whilst using a mobile phone.
The campaign by la Sécurité Routière says the reaction time of drivers talking on their phones is seriously impaired and that it is the fourth most common cause of death on the roads.
If people are caught using their mobile phones when driving they face a €35 fine and two points are deducted off your licence.
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Better but still not as hard hitting as the UK ads. It majors on road accidents not road deaths. The French people I know still have a "it won't happen to me" attitude to road safety.
Posted by: Richard | Nov 30, 2008 at 22:29
Hi Richard, I must agree it is a bit soft and could for example cut across to the injured motorcyclist.
Regards, Craig
Posted by: Craig McGinty | Dec 01, 2008 at 11:41
€35 isn't much of a fine - it's £1000 over here!
Perhaps someone who knows can clarify, but I've been informed that in France the law and the fine apply EVEN if you are using the phone in a handsfree kit.
Mind you how they could ever tell with a modern BlueTooth system and the phone stuck in your deepest pocket, I don't know... "Just singing along to Abba, officer!".
Posted by: Chris Comley | Dec 03, 2008 at 11:52