French prefecture threatens to suspend licences for using phone when driving
Motorists could be without licence for up to six months. A trial period next month will decide on course of action
A majority of motorists in France report using a smartphone when driving
Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock
A prefecture in south-west France is looking to introduce a novel method to improve safety on its roads, by suspending the licences of those caught using mobile phones when driving.
Authorities in the Landes department have made the decision following high road accident rates during recent months.
“The accident figures in the Landes region remain worrying. To address this, a trial will be launched in October on the use of mobile phones while driving,” said Préfet Gilles Clavreul via a post on the prefecture’s official social media account.
The scheme will begin with an ‘educational’ period next month.
“During October, the security forces will warn offenders and request them to change their behaviour at the wheel in order to ensure everyone's safety,” he said.
If matters do not improve, the prefecture will then consider implementing the suspension from November onwards.
This will be the first time such a scheme has been implemented in France.
Current penalties include fine and points
The use of a mobile phone when driving – and the usage of any in-ear device such as headphones, a bluetooth headset, or anything else with the exception of hearing aids – is an offence in France.
Drivers across the country can be fined €135 and face a loss of three points on their licence.
Those living in France but driving on a non-French licence would need to switch to a French one so the loss of points can be reflected on their licence.
Prefectures are permitted to bring in additional penalties to those already in place meaning the department is within its right to suspend licences if they catch drivers using their phone.
Article L224-7 of French driving rules allows for licences to be suspended in such cases and according to local media Sud-Ouest, the prefecture’s plan has received validation from legal experts and is considered legitimate.
The Landes prefecture can suspend licences for up to six months, although it is not yet clear how long suspension periods will last for those caught using their phones, or if suspensions will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
A 2024 study from insurer AXA showed that 80% of drivers in France use their mobile phone while driving, and 10% of road accidents involving an injury are related to this usage.
