Radars catch fewer speeding drivers

THE NUMBER of drivers caught speeding in France has fallen for the first time since fixed-point automatic speed cameras were introduced a decade ago.

Interior ministry figures seen by L'Express magazine show 15 million cars were flashed for breaking the speed limit in the 10 months to the end of October - down from 17 million over the same period last year.

The magazine says the downward trend continued in November - down 15% year on year - meaning 2013 will be the first time that automatic radars have failed to exceed the previous year's total.

However the reason for the decline is not necessarily a change in driving habits. It is reported that up to 600 speed cameras are currently out of action because of a maintenance backlog at the new company responsible for keeping the devices operational.

Vandalism has also contributed to the fall. Some of the recent protests against the government's proposed "eco-taxe" on road haulage targeted regular speed cameras.

Meanwhile, Paris's traffic-clogged inner ring road, the périphérique, could be the scene of an increased number of speeding fines in the new year.

The limit is being cut from 80kph to 70kph from January 1 in an attempt to reduce pollution, noise and the number of accidents.

The decision, taken by the government, has the backing of the capital's Socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, who has been campaigning for the cut since 2011.

One drivers' campaign group argues that the change serves no purpose as the average speed on the périph is just 37kph - rising to 42kph on August when everyone is on holiday.