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New legislation for drivers in France.
This snippet was taken from the FCO website (Road Travel, France section) . However, please note the comments from PWC below : “….It is obligatory to carry a warning triangle and reflective jacket. The reflective jacket must be stored inside the vehicle itself. Non-compliance is a fineable offence.”
However, to provide a detailed view, we also contacted our friends at PWC in Paris. There is one important fact that must be stressed, highlighted in red below
"New regulations of the Road Codes in France dated as of the 1st of July 2008. The inter-ministerial Committee for Road Safety (CISR) of February 13th, 2008 decided to make compulsory the presence the carrying in all vehicles of a High Visibility jacket - and a warning triangle as of July 1st, 2008, following the example of a number of other European countries having already adopted this measure.
The objective is clear and that is to increase the safety of road users in emergency situations: the driver would be more visible when he gets out of his vehicle and when working on the broken-down vehicle.
High Visibility Jacket
This High Visibility jacket, which must conform to EU Regulations, Directive 89 / 686 / EEC of the council of December 21st, 1989, must be carried within the interior of the vehicle (and not in the boot). Once having put on the warning indicators the driver must put on the jacket before exiting the broken-down vehicle on or off the road.
This jacket must also be in accordance with the technical rules defined in appendix II to article R. 233-151 of the Labour law and to the European standard in 471 - Clothes of road marking with high visibility for professional usage.
Warning Triangle
The Warning triangle must be carried in the vehicle (it can be in the boot). The driver is required to position it on the road 30 meters behind the vehicle or the obstacle to be indicated in order to be seen by other road users approaching the broken-down vehicle, immediately upon exiting the vehicle. This triangle must be of the agreed size and reflecting qualities as per the regulations of Geneva N 27.
Its compliance with the Geneva Regulations is shown by the CE mark affixed on the triangle and on its cover.
Fine
If you are stopped by the police or gendarmes and the vehicle is not equipped with these items then the driver can face a penalty of €90 per missing object and €180 if both are missing.
Are these regulations applicable to non-resident visitors crossing the French Territory?
Yes, any vehicle in France - even one just crossing France on the way to say Spain is obliged to carry these items (jacket and triangle).
Stephen Dale
Associé/Partner
Landwell & Associés
61, rue de Villiers
92208 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex
Tél + 33 1 56 57 40 61
Fax + 33 1 56 57 49 81
Mobile + 33 6 14 67 07 47"
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