Driver’s License: Suspension for Drinking or Drug Driving?
This page is translated from the original post "Permis de conduire : retrait pour alcool ou drogue au volant ?" in French.
- 20/02/2023 7:00
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin aims to strengthen sanctions in cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and create the status of road homicide.
Could the Pierre Palmade case influence road safety policy? As a reminder, the comedian caused a collision on February 13, seriously injuring three people, including a pregnant woman who lost her child. The incident occurred while he was under the influence of drugs (cocaine in this case) in addition to medication.
It sparked public emotion; what could have been just a news story has become a national issue, making headlines and prompting government reactions. It is the Minister of the Interior himself who announced during an interview with JDD, and relayed on Twitter, his desire to modify the sanctions.
Darmanin wants to strengthen sanctions
“I want to make road safety common sense” Gérald Darmanin expressed on Sunday to TF1, “we stop removing points for minor speed excesses, less than 5 km/h, but we revoke driving licenses from those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” This would be a novelty in France if it were to be implemented.
Currently, the penalty is only 6 points off the license, half of the total 12 points, and a fine from 135 € up to 750 €. However, additional sanctions are possible: vehicle immobilization, mandatory use of an alcohol interlock device. License revocation is only carried out if the blood alcohol level exceeds 0.8 g/l, but only for a maximum of 72 hours. Losing one’s driving license is only possible in cases of repeat offenses involving drunk driving or drug influence.
The minister added that he wants to “make it mandatory for anyone confirmed to be a drug user to undergo a medical examination to be authorized to drive if they are in treatment.”.
A road homicide statute?
Another measure Gérald Darmanin suggests is related to fatalities in traffic accidents. The minister says he has been working “since December to rename fatal accidents caused by drugs and alcohol as ‘road homicide'”. Abroad, this already exists. In the UK, killing a person while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in life imprisonment at most. The Interior Minister justifies this choice because of “600 people [who] die each year in drug-related traffic accidents”.
Read also: Road safety report: cycling and scooter fatalities surge in 2022
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
