Ardèche tightens sanctions against mobile phone use while driving

Privas – 02.06.2026: From June 1, 2026, immediate license suspension will be introduced in the French region of Ardèche for drivers caught using a phone while driving. This measure aims to increase road safety and reduce the number of accidents.

The decision was made by Benoît Trévisani, the préfet of Ardèche, following a series of serious traffic accidents in 2026. Until the end of May, 19 traffic fatalities were recorded in the département, which equals the total from the previous year. A particularly tragic incident occurred in Vernosc-lès-Annonay, where five young people lost their lives.

The new regulation provides that drivers caught holding a phone behind the wheel risk an immediate administrative suspension of their driving license. This measure is in addition to the existing penalties, which include a fine of 135 euros and the deduction of three points from the driving license. The duration of the license suspension can be up to six months, depending on the severity of the offense and after assessment of the case by the préfet.

With this decision, Ardèche joins a number of other French départements that have taken similar measures. Previously, Landes, Pas-de-Calais, Charente-Maritime, and Lot-et-Garonne had introduced immediate license suspension for mobile phone use while driving.

The authorities emphasize that the use of mobile phones while driving is a significant risk factor in traffic. According to the French safety agency, reading a message while driving increases the risk of an accident by a factor of 23, as the driver typically takes their eyes off the road for five seconds.

The introduction of this measure in Ardèche is part of a broader plan to improve road safety in the département. In addition to tightening penalties, stricter controls and prevention measures are being implemented to raise drivers’ awareness of the dangers of mobile phone use while driving.

The effectiveness of these tightened sanctions will be closely monitored in the coming months to determine whether they lead to a decrease in traffic accidents and related fatalities. The authorities hope that with these measures, the number of traffic accidents in Ardèche can be sustainably reduced.

In summary, the development in Ardèche shows a trend toward stricter measures against mobile phone use behind the wheel in France, aimed at increasing road safety and saving lives.