Ardèche increases penalties for using a mobile phone while driving

Privas – 2 June 2026: From 1 June 2026, the Ardèche department in France will implement immediate license revocation for drivers found using a mobile phone while driving. The measure aims to improve road safety and reduce the number of traffic accidents.

The decision was made by Ardèche prefect Benoît Trévisani in response to a series of serious traffic accidents in 2026. By the end of May, there had been 19 fatal traffic incidents in Ardèche, matching last year’s total. Among them was a particularly tragic crash in Vernosc-lès-Annonay that killed five young people.

The new rule stipulates that drivers caught holding a mobile phone while driving will face immediate administrative revocation of their driving license. This is in addition to existing penalties, which include a €135 fine and a 3-point deduction. The license revocation can last up to six months, with the exact duration determined by the severity of the offense and reviewed by the prefect.

The decision makes Ardèche one of several French departments to adopt similar measures. Previously, Landes, Pas-de-Calais, Charente-Maritime and Lot-et-Garonne had already implemented immediate license revocation policies for mobile phone use while driving.

Authorities stress that mobile phone use while driving is a major road safety risk. According to data from French safety regulators, reading a text message while driving increases the risk of an accident 23-fold, because drivers on average take their eyes off the road for five seconds.

The introduction of the measure in Ardèche is part of the department’s road safety improvement plan. In addition to tougher penalties, inspections and prevention measures will be strengthened to raise drivers’ awareness of the danger of using a mobile phone while driving.

The effectiveness of these tougher penalties will be closely monitored in the coming months to assess whether they can effectively reduce traffic accidents and related fatalities. Authorities hope the measures will lead to a long-term reduction in the number of traffic accidents in Ardèche.

Overall, Ardèche’s move reflects a growing trend in France toward stricter action against mobile phone use while driving, aimed at improving road safety and saving lives.