What fines do motorcyclists risk after trial for ‘inter-filing’ on French roads ends?
A report in 2025 on the trial will set the tone for legalisation of the manoeuvre
An initial report said accidents rose near roads where the manoeuvre was allowed
Vernerie Yann / sylv1rob1/ Shutterstock
Motorcyclists will no longer be allowed to ride between lanes on motorways and some dual carriageways during traffic jams, as a long-term trial on the manoeuvre ends this month.
Those who continue to do the manoeuvre – known as inter-filing – risk a fine of €135 and the potential loss of three points from their licence if caught.
Trials on ‘inter-filing’ have taken place since August 2021 in 21 departments (but began in 2016 in some), and see motorcyclists allowed to drive between lanes during slow-moving traffic on certain roads.
This is provided they drive no more than 30 km/h faster than traffic levels and stick to the furthest-left lane that they can.
The trials will end nationwide on January 1, 2025. They were initially set to end in September 2024 but were prolonged.
The manoeuvre is widespread and even before the trials it was commonly deployed despite being illegal.
Will the trial result in a law change?
The aim of the trials has been to see whether traffic flows better when motorcyclists are allowed to inter-file, as well as see if it affects accidents on roads where it is allowed.
Some motorcyclists also cite health and safety concerns, saying it is dangerous for them to be in traffic behind a polluting vehicle’s exhaust fumes, and that they are more likely to be hit by a driver from behind when in traffic.
Results and findings from the trial are expected to be released in 2025 by the Sécurité Routière, and may see the manoeuvre become official. However until the change is inscribed into the Code de la route (French road safety laws) it will remain illegal.
The government is likely to follow the recommendations of the Sécurité Routière as to whether to legalise the manoeuvre or not.
An early study of the trial conducted in 2021 claims that road accidents involving motorcyclists fell by 10% in France during the trial period, but increased by 12% in areas on the perimeter of where the new rules were being applied.
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