French driving updates: recalls, radar cars and mobile use
Driving changes and safety updates for summer 2026
French motorists are facing a series of driving-related developments, from vehicle recalls and investigations into automatic braking systems to questions over the effectiveness of private radar cars and tougher penalties for mobile phone use behind the wheel.
Investigation into 'phantom braking' reports
They say their cars suddenly braked at speed, creating potentially dangerous situations. One reported her Ford Focus stopped abruptly on a motorway at around 100km/h, while another said her Dacia Sandero repeatedly braked before stopping.
The complaints concern vehicles fitted with radar and camera-based collision avoidance systems.
France's vehicle market surveillance authority and the Ministry of Transport are investigating whether software faults, sensor issues or system integration problems could be responsible.
Manufacturers have so far disputed the existence of a widespread defect.
A Facebook group bringing together affected motorists now has around 3,000 members.
Most private radar car detections do not lead to fines
Nearly four out of five speeding detections by radar cars do not result in fines, according to the Ligue de Défense des Conducteurs.
The driving organisation says radar vehicles recorded around 3.5 million speeding incidents in 2024, but only 740,000 penalty notices were issued. In other words, 79% of flashes did not produce a fine.
In 2024 the majority of radar cars were privately operated. The Ligue compared this with 2020, when radar cars were only police-operated and only 26% of flashes did not result in fines.
The organisation said the figures show privately operated radar cars are not effective and should be discontinued.
Not every radar flash leads to a fine.
Detections must pass through checks by officials, including speed tolerance rules, vehicle identification and licence plate recognition.
For mobile radar cars, a 10km/h or 10% margin is applied, depending on the speed recorded. This is higher than for fixed cameras, explaining part of the difference.
Peugeot and DS recall over faulty door handles
Several Peugeot and DS models are being recalled after a defect was identified with interior door handles.
The fault affects vehicles manufactured between 2022 and 2026 and could prevent occupants opening doors from inside while the engine is running.
The recall covers Peugeot 308, 408, 3008 and 5008 models, as well as DS 4, DS N°4 and DS N°8 vehicles.
Owners should check their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the government's RappelConso website and contact their dealer if affected.
Repairs carried out under safety recalls are generally free.
The defect could be particularly dangerous if occupants need to leave the vehicle following an accident or emergency.
Immediate licence suspensions for phone use
Deux-Sèvres has become the eighth French department to introduce immediate licence suspensions for drivers caught using their phone at the wheel.
The measure, introduced on June 15, adds to existing penalties of a €135 fine and a three-point licence deduction for holding a phone, wearing headphones or touching a phone while driving.
More than 500 licences have reportedly been suspended since the measure was introduced in participating departments, with Landes accounting for the majority.
Road safety officials stress that phones may still be used as sat-navs for route planning if they are securely mounted and not handled while driving.
Routes should be set before departure, with any adjustments made only when the vehicle is safely stopped.
