GPS turns off police checks in France

Motorists who use Waze or Coyote GPS applications may soon lose advance warning of certain police checks.

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A bill that would force the apps to conceal specific types of police presence has the support of the companies behind the apps, as well as motoring and road safety groups.

Speed camera operations would not be affected by the draft law but alcohol stops would be removed, as would police checks in case of terrorist or criminal activity.

Road safety minister Emmanuel Barbe said: “The principle [of this bill] is that a criminal who has kidnapped someone, perpetrated a terrorist act or who is drunk while driving cannot avoid a police check just because another driver has reported it via an application”. The bill will be presented for vote early this year.