New FRENCH driving law!
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fatboy18

Original Poster:

19,452 posts

232 months



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

Doofus

32,546 posts

194 months

Fair enough. To do more than 35mph over the speed limit takes some effort, and isn't a "momentary lapse".

mikebradford

3,021 posts

166 months

Doofus said:
Fair enough. To do more than 35mph over the speed limit takes some effort, and isn't a "momentary lapse".
I agree

CoolHands

21,927 posts

216 months

It’s not an actual “69 percent increase since 2017” - it’s just an increase in the number of people caught, because of greater detection.

I think it’s a load of st.

Coming here soon

paradigital

1,064 posts

173 months

Surely the 50km/h figure is stupid though.

50km/h above the limit in a 40km/h zone, sure. 50km/h in a 130km/h zone?

A percentage would have made more sense.

jimmytheone

1,845 posts

239 months

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?
Is France one of those countries where its illegal to have a scanner, even if not plugged in or packed in the boot?

paddy1970

1,251 posts

130 months

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!!!


Caddyshack

13,473 posts

227 months

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

Whistle

1,624 posts

154 months

I got flashed at the beginning of August at around 80kmh in a 60 zone.

Not heard anything yet.

Caddyshack

13,473 posts

227 months

Whistle said:
I got flashed at the beginning of August at around 80kmh in a 60 zone.

Not heard anything yet.
They are waiting for a new supply of black kit before roping in through your window. Have you got a balcony?

fatboy18

Original Poster:

19,452 posts

232 months

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!!!

Caddyshack

13,473 posts

227 months

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!!!
Yes, it used to be a thing….i remember Evo writing about spirited journeys back from Le Mans.

I know I saw numbers beginning 15…in my AMG, 993 and M BMW. (Allegedly)

vaud

57,012 posts

176 months

130 normal limit, so 180kph - seems strict but it’s their country and still way milder than other countries (Switzerland, Sweden, etc)

Caddyshack

13,473 posts

227 months

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!

Debaser

7,411 posts

282 months

fking hell. No thanks.

Simpo Two

90,665 posts

286 months

Is breaking the speed limit now called 'road violence'? As said, expect it here soon. Except the courts are already full.

vaud

57,012 posts

176 months

Simpo Two said:
Is breaking the speed limit now called 'road violence'? As said, expect it here soon. Except the courts are already full.
Scottish law already allows it for extreme speeding cases?

dundarach

5,884 posts

249 months

Drove down to La Rochelle twice last year from Hull, the French roads are wonderful and more than fast enough as they are.

Absolutely no reason to need to go 35mph over the limit at all, anyone claiming otherwise shouldn't really be on the roads at all!

vaud

57,012 posts

176 months



Based on AI, but it looks right. Based on types of penalties for speeding on a motorway (e.g. 130kph limit) when I exceed by 30, 50 and 70 kph

budgie smuggler

5,870 posts

180 months

Caddyshack said:
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!
Hence the 130kph speed limit only comes back into effect quite a while after the booths now frown