From now on in Ardèche, if you are caught using a smartphone in your hand while driving, you will face much stricter penalties than before. Ardèche prefect Benoît Trevisan defended the measure, which is already controversial in France. From June 1, using a mobile phone while driving can lead not only to fines and penalty points but also to immediate license suspensions.
The prefect’s rationale is clear. The number of traffic fatalities in Ardèche has reached a worrying level. In just a few months earlier this year, 19 people have already died on Ardèche roads, which equals the total number of deaths for the entire previous year. From the authorities’ perspective, the existing sanctions are no longer sufficient.
Ardèche is one of the rural areas in France where many residents rely on cars and public transport plays a secondary role outside larger towns. At the same time, winding roads and challenging routes characterize the landscape. A brief moment of distraction can have serious consequences.
So far, using a mobile phone while driving has been punishable by a €135 fine and a 3-point deduction on the driving license. License suspensions were usually applied only when additional traffic violations were identified. However, under the new regulation, Ardèche authorities will be able to immediately impose administrative driving suspensions of up to one month.
This decision is part of a broader strategy. Under the name “zero-tolerance road safety policy,” the prefect has been stepping up measures against dangerous traffic behavior for months. Smartphones are considered one of the greatest risk factors. Experts have warned for years that just a few seconds of inattention can lead to dangerous situations.
The Ardèche measure is not alone. Other French departmental authorities have introduced similar measures, and officials report a drop in mobile phone usage violations. Whether this effect will last in the long term remains to be seen.
The new regulation is likely to further inflame arguments over traffic safety and personal freedom. But Ardèche officials have another important claim: the number of accidents prevented and lives saved justifies these tougher measures. Looking at a screen while driving poses dangers beyond mere fines.
Andreas M. B.