New FRENCH driving law!
Discussion
From Monday, December 29, 2025, drivers in France caught exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more will face criminal charges, following the implementation of a key provision from the new Law on Road Homicide passed in July
This measure is of critical relevance to residents and road users in Monaco, where cross-border driving into France is routine.
The new offence carries up to three months imprisonment, a 3,750 fine, and entry into the criminal record. Additional penalties include license suspension of up to three years, vehicle confiscation, and a mandatory road safety awareness course.
Previously treated as a fifth-class offence unless repeated, extreme speeding is now formally classified as a criminal act. The French government has taken this firmer stance in response to the growing prevalence and severity of road violence. In 2024 alone, more than 63,000 offences of this kind were recorded, a 69 percent increase since 2017.
Exceeding the limit by over 50 km/h is not a minor violation; it s a reckless endangerment of lives, said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Minister Delegate to the Interior. This law reflects our duty to protect families and the most vulnerable road users.
The changes come amid broader efforts to curb road deaths and aggressive driving across the region. Monaco drivers crossing into France, whether on the A8 motorway, the Moyenne Corniche, or mountain passes, should be acutely aware; extreme speeding now carries criminal consequences.
Edited by fatboy18 on Monday 5th January 21:12
t.fatboy18 said:
From Monday, December 29, 2025, drivers in France caught exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more will face criminal charges, following the implementation of a key provision from the new Law on Road Homicide passed in July
This measure is of critical relevance to residents and road users in Monaco, where cross-border driving into France is routine.
The new offence carries up to three months imprisonment, a 3,750 fine, and entry into the criminal record. Additional penalties include license suspension of up to three years, vehicle confiscation, and a mandatory road safety awareness course.
Previously treated as a fifth-class offence unless repeated, extreme speeding is now formally classified as a criminal act. The French government has taken this firmer stance in response to the growing prevalence and severity of road violence. In 2024 alone, more than 63,000 offences of this kind were recorded, a 69 percent increase since 2017.
Exceeding the limit by over 50 km/h is not a minor violation; it s a reckless endangerment of lives, said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Minister Delegate to the Interior. This law reflects our duty to protect families and the most vulnerable road users.
The changes come amid broader efforts to curb road deaths and aggressive driving across the region. Monaco drivers crossing into France, whether on the A8 motorway, the Moyenne Corniche, or mountain passes, should be acutely aware; extreme speeding now carries criminal consequences.
Road rage? Or the french equivalent of certi drivers?This measure is of critical relevance to residents and road users in Monaco, where cross-border driving into France is routine.
The new offence carries up to three months imprisonment, a 3,750 fine, and entry into the criminal record. Additional penalties include license suspension of up to three years, vehicle confiscation, and a mandatory road safety awareness course.
Previously treated as a fifth-class offence unless repeated, extreme speeding is now formally classified as a criminal act. The French government has taken this firmer stance in response to the growing prevalence and severity of road violence. In 2024 alone, more than 63,000 offences of this kind were recorded, a 69 percent increase since 2017.
Exceeding the limit by over 50 km/h is not a minor violation; it s a reckless endangerment of lives, said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Minister Delegate to the Interior. This law reflects our duty to protect families and the most vulnerable road users.
The changes come amid broader efforts to curb road deaths and aggressive driving across the region. Monaco drivers crossing into France, whether on the A8 motorway, the Moyenne Corniche, or mountain passes, should be acutely aware; extreme speeding now carries criminal consequences.
Is France one of those countries where its illegal to have a scanner, even if not plugged in or packed in the boot?
The shift to criminal proceedings actually provides more legal protections and due process rights. Criminal cases require higher standards of proof, the right to legal representation, and proper court hearings - versus administrative penalties that can be issued more arbitrarily. You get your day in court with proper legal procedures.
Also, it allow judges to consider individual circumstances and context. Emergency situations, medical emergencies, mechanical failures, or GPS/speedometer errors could be presented as mitigating factors. There's room for human judgment rather than rigid automation.
Let's go and test it!!!
Also, it allow judges to consider individual circumstances and context. Emergency situations, medical emergencies, mechanical failures, or GPS/speedometer errors could be presented as mitigating factors. There's room for human judgment rather than rigid automation.
Let's go and test it!!!
Caddyshack said:
Eek, I think it would be quite easy to do 35mph over the limit on one of those billiard smooth straight roads when you have a train to get on at the tunnel, it wouldn t be an oops didn t realise but I have certainly pressed on in the past occasionally
EXACTLY, and especially the usual Le mans runs!!!fatboy18 said:
Caddyshack said:
Eek, I think it would be quite easy to do 35mph over the limit on one of those billiard smooth straight roads when you have a train to get on at the tunnel, it wouldn t be an oops didn t realise but I have certainly pressed on in the past occasionally
EXACTLY, and especially the usual Le mans runs!!!I know I saw numbers beginning 15…in my AMG, 993 and M BMW. (Allegedly)
vaud said:
130 normal limit, so 180kph - seems strict but it s their country and still way milder than other countries (Switzerland, Sweden, etc)
Top of 2nd gear on a superbike, those exit gates on the peage toll booths used to be like drag strips.I guess they got fed up with people using their roads as race tracks!
Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff