Speed limits to be reviewed

The Interior Ministry has asked prefects to examine speed limits in their departments and take action to make them more ‘readable’ and ‘consistent’ with France’s roads and highways.

Interior minister Claude Guéant has placed an initial focus upon assessing existing speed limits, explaining that they must be adapted to the characteristics of the road and density of traffic. Further changes will be made where “the limits are common without real justification”.

In a circular revealed by RTL, M. Guéant calls on prefects to assess and make any changes "as soon as possible", adding “it is important that speed limits are always readable and understandable by the user in order to be accepted and respected". He also says "The need to respect the speed limit should be better understood and, for that purpose, we should review any inconsistencies identified by our citizens".

Prefects will be expected to submit their assessment in a report to road safety officials before January 31, 2012. A second stage to be completed by March 31, 2012 will see an assessment of county and local roads.