Anyone caught holding a smartphone while driving in Ardèche in the future must expect significantly tougher consequences than before. The prefect of the department, Benoît Trévisani, has defended a measure that is already causing discussions in France: Since June 1, the use of a mobile phone while driving can not only result in a fine and point deduction but also an immediate suspension of the driver’s license.
For the prefect, the justification is unquestionable. The number of traffic fatalities in Ardèche has reached an alarming level. Already in the first months of the year, 19 people have lost their lives on the roads of the department. This has already matched the total number of victims from the previous year. From the authorities’ perspective, relying solely on existing sanctions is no longer sufficient.
Ardèche is one of the rural regions of France. Many people depend on cars, and public transport often plays only a minor role outside larger towns. At the same time, winding roads and challenging routes characterize the landscape. Even a brief distraction can have serious consequences there.
Until now, drivers using a mobile phone while driving faced a fine of 135 euros and the loss of three points in the driver’s license register. A license suspension would generally only be considered if an additional traffic violation was detected. With the new regulation, Ardèche is now going much further. The competent authorities can henceforth impose an administrative driving ban of up to one month immediately.
This decision is part of a broader strategy. Under the motto “Zero tolerance against road insecurity,” the prefecture has been tightening its measures against risky behavior in road traffic for months. The smartphone is regarded as one of the biggest danger factors. Experts have been pointing out for years that just a few seconds of inattention are enough to create a dangerous situation.
Ardèche is not alone in its approach. Other French departments have introduced similar measures. There, authorities report a decrease in recorded mobile phone violations. Whether this effect will be confirmed in the long term remains to be seen.
The new regulation is likely to further fuel the debate over road safety and individual freedom. For the officials in Ardèche, however, another argument prevails: Every avoided accident and every saved human life justifies the tightened measures in their view. Anyone who looks at their display while driving risks much more than just a fine.
Andreas M. B.