Speeding Fines: Drivers Lose Licenses in Saône-et-Loire

French Authorities Crack Down on Speeding Drivers, Impounding Vehicles and Revoking Licenses

French authorities have been aggressively enforcing speed limits across several departments in recent days, resulting in the immediate impoundment of vehicles and the revocation of drivers’ licenses. The crackdown, carried out by motorized brigades, targeted drivers exceeding posted limits by significant margins, with some cases involving speeds nearly double the legal maximum.

On February 20th, officers controlling traffic on the RD 906 near Beaumont-sur-Grosne stopped a BMW Series 3 traveling at 146 km/h. The recorded speed, after adjustments, was 138 km/h in a zone with an 80 km/h limit. The driver was found to be holding a probationary license.

The following Sunday, February 22nd, saw a surge in enforcement actions. Near Milly-Lamartine, on the RN 79, a Kia Sportage was clocked at 159 km/h, with a recorded speed of 151 km/h, in a 100 km/h zone. The driver of the Kia also held a probationary license. Shortly after, on the same stretch of road, officers intercepted an Audi S4 driven by a resident of the Mâconnais region traveling at a staggering 205 km/h. The adjusted speed was 194 km/h, far exceeding the 110 km/h limit.

Further enforcement took place on Sunday on the RD 978 near Mercurey, where a Triumph Tiger Sport 1050 motorcycle was recorded at 180 km/h, adjusted down to 171 km/h, in an 80 km/h zone.

In all instances, the vehicles involved were taken into administrative impound, and the drivers had their licenses immediately revoked. This practice underscores the severity with which French authorities are treating excessive speeding.

The actions come as France continues to grapple with road safety concerns. While the country has implemented various measures to reduce accidents, speeding remains a persistent problem. According to information from the ANTAI.gouv.fr website, payment of a fixed fine for a traffic offense is considered an acknowledgement of the offense and can lead to the deduction of points from a driver’s license. The number of points deducted varies depending on the severity of the infraction.

The French system of point deductions can ultimately lead to license suspension or revocation. Drivers with a probationary license face particularly strict penalties, as evidenced by the cases near Milly-Lamartine.

Recent reports suggest that French authorities have been issuing speeding fines to drivers in the UK, despite the absence of a data-sharing agreement between the two countries. While the DVLA in the UK does not currently share address information with French authorities, notices are still being sent. Driving in France on a foreign license can result in immediate fines and, in some cases, imprisonment for traffic offenses.

The recent wave of enforcement actions serves as a stark warning to drivers in France to adhere to speed limits. The consequences of exceeding those limits, as demonstrated by these cases, can be swift and severe, resulting in the loss of both driving privileges and personal property.