Anyone caught in Ardèche from now on with a smartphone in hand while driving must expect much stricter consequences than before. The prefect of the department, Benoît Trévisani, has defended a measure that is already causing debate in France: since June 1st, using a mobile phone while driving can not only lead to a fine and points deduction, but also to immediate revocation of the driver’s license.
For the prefect, the justification is indisputable. The number of traffic fatalities in Ardèche has reached a worrying level. In the first months of the year alone, 19 people lost their lives on the department’s roads. This already matches the total number of victims from the previous year. From the authorities’ point of view, it is no longer sufficient to rely solely on existing sanctions.
Ardèche belongs to the rural regions of France. Many people depend on cars; public transport often plays only a subordinate role outside larger towns. At the same time, winding roads and challenging routes characterize the landscape. Even a short distraction can have serious consequences there.
Until now, drivers using a mobile phone behind the wheel received a fine of 135 euros and the loss of three license points. License revocation usually only came into play if another traffic violation was also detected. With the new regulation, Ardèche is now going much further. The competent authorities can henceforth impose an administrative driving ban for up to one month directly.
The decision is part of a broader strategy. Under the motto “Zero tolerance for road insecurity,” the prefecture has been tightening its measures against risky behavior in traffic for months. The smartphone is seen as one of the greatest dangers. Experts have pointed out for years that only a few seconds of inattention are enough to cause a dangerous situation.
Ardèche is not alone in its approach. Other French departments have introduced similar measures. Authorities there report a decrease in the number of recorded phone violations. Whether this effect will last in the long term remains to be seen.
The new regulation will likely further fuel the debate about road safety and individual freedom. For those responsible in Ardèche, however, another argument weighs more heavily: in their opinion, every accident prevented and every life saved justifies the tightened measures. Those who look at the screen while driving risk much more than just a fine.
Andreas M. B.