No fines, only warnings as Tours police tighten motorcycle checks
Preventative roadside checks in Tours reveal dozens of violations as officers try to raise awareness
The motorists were headed to the 24 hours of Le Mans motorcycle race
Le Mans's circuit photo credit: Rainier Herhaus/Shutterstock, embedded post credit: Préfet d'Indre-et-Loire/ Facebook
Two police officers in western France carried out motorbike inspections without issuing a single fine, in an effort to raise awareness among motorists.
During checks conducted on April 17 in Tours (Indre-et-Loire) by officers Romain Jagut and Laurent Dreano from the Indre-et-Loire prefecture, along with two municipal officers from Tours, 50 equipment violations and two traffic offences were identified among just 32 motorcycles inspected.
The operation took place in the context of the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, held on April 19. Many riders were passing through Tours on their way to the event, providing the Indre-et-Loire prefecture with an ideal opportunity to carry out preventive checks and raise awareness among motorcyclists.
The inspection focused on riding compliance and safety equipment. Officers had a special exemption allowing them to refrain from issuing fines for Class 4 offences or lower, enabling them to prioritise prevention and education.
Among the infractions detected were modified motorcycles, non-approved exhaust systems, non-compliant number plates, and expired documentation, among others.
However, in these cases, riders were fortunate: instead of fines, they received warnings and safety advice. Under normal circumstances, some of the vehicles could have been impounded.
For example, according to Actu.fr, Lubin, an 18-year-old rider, was stopped while riding a machine originally designed to travel at 45 km/h, but which had been modified to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h.
Under normal circumstances, the vehicle would have been impounded. Officers explained to Lubin that such modifications are not only dangerous for the rider, since tyres, screws, and the overall structure are not designed for such speeds, but could also lead to insurance refusal in the event of an accident. “If someone is killed, it could amount to €900,000. If someone is severely disabled, up to €2 million,” warned officer Laurent Dreno.
Despite the advice and acknowledgement of the risks, Lubin stated that he would not restore the motorcycle, as he believes riding at 45 km/h is more dangerous due to cars overtaking him too closely.
In other cases, however, some motorcycles passed the checks successfully, with correctly positioned number plates, appropriate safety gear, and noise levels within legal limits.
What mandatory motorcycle equipment is required?
Among the most important items that riders must have for both themselves and their motorcycles are:
A helmet, mandatory for all riders, compliant with Geneva Regulation 22/05, featuring a visible ECE approval label sewn onto the chin strap. Older helmets approved under the NF standard (green label) are also accepted.
CE-certified gloves
A high-visibility vest
A standardised licence plate measuring 21 cm × 13 cm
Functional lighting, including a road light, dipped beam headlight, front and rear position lights, and a brake light
