By Francis Uliel – Published on 18 Nov 2024 at 14:30
Motorists should pay attention to this new road sign, as failure to comply could result in a hefty fine.
Various measures to reduce vehicle traffic in Paris were tested during the recent Olympics. An initiative which proved positive, thus giving ideas to the capital's town hall. Hence the installation of a new road sign in certain districts of Paris since November 5. This aims to limit traffic to certain vehicles only in the very center of the capital Last Monday, November 4, the Prefect of Police and the Mayor of Paris published a recorded decree with the establishment of a Limited Traffic Zone (. ZTL).
A heavy fine for drivers who do not respect this new road sign
Several districts of Paris are affected by this decree. In particular the 1ᵉʳ, 2ᵉ, 3ᵉ and 4ᵉ. Several vehicles and users will therefore not have access to this ZTL… Namely light utility vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and motorized 2-wheelers. They are in fact prohibited from crossing this zone under penalty of sanction. Please note that it is however possible to enter these ZTLs with your vehicle for a specific purpose. Namely: going to your home, to work, to a medical appointment, to relatives. But also in a business or to make a delivery. To be more precise, transit traffic is prohibited there, unlike destination traffic. Those authorized to transit in this zone are: people with reduced mobility, priority emergency vehicles, public transport, taxis and VTC.
An educational phase
As explained in our first lines, this new traffic sign came into force on November 5. And according to Art. R 412-7 of the Highway Code, non-compliance may result in a fourth class fine,
i.e. 135 euros fine. But for now, no fines will be issued, because the educational phase is in progress and valid for the next 6 months. Enough to allow motorists to assimilate the new traffic rules. Those concerned therefore have until April 2025 to familiarize themselves with these measures.
Control method of the new traffic sign:
To find out if a motorist entering the ZTL complies with this new system, it's quite simple. The decree specifies in this regard: “Any driver of a vehicle circulating (…) within the perimeter is required to present, at the request of the competent officers to note and report offenses, a title or document justifying his authorization to circulate within the zone to be limited traffic. It is also important to note that
“the control methods as well as the list of supporting documents allowing the right to travel within the Limited Traffic Zone to be established will be defined by a joint decree from the Mayor of Paris and the prefect of police”
