No More Point Deductions for Minor Speeding Offenses

Starting January 1, 2024, speed excesses of less than 5 km/h will only result in a fine.

The long-awaited decree since its announcement last April was published in the official journal this Friday. We know the French are very attached to their freedom of movement, but also to the right to err and self-responsibility. In short, small speed excesses, those under 5 km/h recorded by speed cameras (so slightly more in reality), are more a matter of negligence than major criminality.

The violation will still be real and the fine still payable. Okay for the points, not for the money! The wasp is not crazy: 50% of the 21.5 million fines issued in 2021 originated from speed excesses under 20 km/h. The loss of revenue would be enormous for the State.

As a reminder, infractions under 20 km/h are heavily penalized. 135 euros (reduced to 90 euros for quick payment) in urban areas, and 68 euros (reduced to 45 euros for quick payment) on rural roads.

Of course, this announcement does not please everyone, and some associations denounce it as sending a bad signal that will lead to a mechanical increase in mortality. In the background, one could also argue that the thresholds for issuing fines are completely outdated. The question raised today is provocative: for speed excesses up to 20 km/h, the sanction is the same as for 1 km/h.

Shouldn’t we thoroughly reassess the thresholds for issuing fines and demerit points: 5, 10, 20, +30 km/h? The one over 50 km/h is also completely outdated, especially in an era where energy savings should be a key consideration in defining a speed excess. Not just dangerosity.

READ ALSO: Anne Hidalgo criticized by the Government on the 50 km/h ring road