Roadside police checks increase in southern France to combat accident rate

Police checks on drivers in parts of southern France are becoming more frequent, as the prefecture seeks to reduce rising accident numbers. 

Accident figures so far this year in the Pyrénées-Orientales (Occitanie) are 22% higher than in 2024.

Despite deaths falling compared to the same period last year, non-fatal road injuries have increased by more than 37%.

Officers in the department are therefore now authorised to carry out more frequent roadside checks following approval from new prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe.

They conducted a first major nighttime operation in the early morning of Sunday September 21. Officers recorded that around one in three drivers stopped some had alcohol in their system, with others being caught driving under the influence of drugs, without a licence, without insurance, and using their mobile phone when driving. 

Overall, 35 infractions were recorded from 72 vehicles that were stopped, with a full list available via the department’s press release on the operation.

Additional police checks is one of a string of measures being implemented by prefectures across France to try and limit road accidents and fatalities, after August saw record road deaths. 

In the nearby Landes department licences may soon be suspended for drivers caught using their mobile phones, and an ‘accidentoscope’ has been launched in Dordogne. 

What to do if stopped by police

More frequent police checks are a common strategy to attempt to improve road safety. 

So far this year, such operations have already been approved in several departments including Rhône (namely in and around Lyon) and in the Dordogne. 

If you are stopped, there is no reason to unduly worry as in many cases the operations target drivers at random (although police can pull someone over if they suspect them of breaking driving rules). 

Comply with the requests of the officers, which will usually be to check your documents (such as driving licence) or to check your vehicle is in good condition (lights work, tyres are not flat, etc), and perhaps to take a breathalyser test.

Officers no longer need to ask for proof of vehicle insurance, as this information is held in an online database police have access to. 

If you do not hand over documents, you may be fined and will need to go to a local police station within five days to prove you have them. 

Refusing to submit to other tests could see you lose points on your licence if a French licence. 

Advice on what to do during police stops is also available in our article here.