Drivers and passengers warned over no-seat belt fines
The French Road Safety Agency ( la Sécurité routière ) has warned road users that adult passengers are liable for their own fines, should they travel without seat belts.
Drivers and passengers are reminded that they are required to pay a €135 fine each in the event that they are caught not wearing seat belts, and if the passenger is a legal adult, they are themselves liable, reported French newspaper Le Figaro today.
The driver will also receive three points on their licence in any case.
However, if the passenger in question is a minor, the driver is liable, as it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all minor passengers are wearing a seat belt or are strapped to the seat in an appropriate car seat or otherwise.
As the agency says, the rule for travelling in cars is always “one seat, one seat belt, one passenger”.
Should two adults be found sharing the same seat or seat belt, the fine is also €135. Two children sharing would also be subject to variable fines, depending on the offence.
Only those who have an obvious disability or otherwise, for whom seat belts would be manifestly impractical, are exempt; as are those who have a certificate of exemption by a registered doctor.
Certain vehicles and professions, such as taxi drivers and emergency vehicles, are also exempt from the rules in certain precise situations.
