Speed cameras effective from today to enforce new Paris ring road limit
Drivers going above new limit are now liable to stronger fines
Fines will now be handed out to those going above the new reduced limit
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Speed cameras installed along the Paris ring road (périphérique) will automatically begin flashing drivers going above the new 50 km/h speed limit.
The highly controversial new speed limit was introduced on October 1, with over 160 road signs being installed displaying the new limit in the following days.
“The Prefecture of Police will enforce this measure [he confirmed to me],” said David Belliard, deputy Paris mayor to BFMTV.
“The rule is now 50 km/h from this Thursday,” he added.
New fines in place
The reduction in speed limit means penalties for breaking the law are now stronger.
Breaking a 50 km/h speed limit is a class four offence, leaving drivers liable to a €135 fine, if going less than 20 km/h above the limit. Above this, penalties increase.
Previously, it was a €68 fine, as the 70 km/h speed limit meant drivers would only be penalised through a class three fine.
Read more: 10 questions on driving fines in France
Improvements already showing?
Mr Beillard said it was too early for an assessment of the rule change, however he believes the change has already had a positive impact.
“I've noticed that before, when it was at 70 km/h, it was always congested, and that it's much smoother now that part of it has been reduced to 50 km/h. I would hope that the two things are linked,” he said.
A monthly barometer measuring multiple aspects of the ring road will also begin taking place this month, to assess if the speed limit change is having a positive effect.
“It will look at issues of health, noise, pollution, traffic... in short, uses of the ring road in the broadest sense, because we want to monitor the effects of the actions we are taking on the ring road,” said Mr Belliard.
