A new traffic law in France is causing a real headache for unsuspecting drivers who break the rules without even knowing it.
The law, established during the 2024 Paris Olympics, is signaled by a new road sign, which appears on a blue background with a white diamond in the center.
This sign can be seen on the eight-lane ring road Boulevard Périphérique around Paris, which is used by about one million vehicles every day.
The symbol indicates that the left lane can only be used by vehicles with passengers. Therefore, drivers caught driving alone in these lanes by the road cameras will receive automatic fines.
The new control system was installed on May 2 and put into operation to ensure compliance with the rules. It uses a high-tech computer-assisted video surveillance (VAO) system that monitors vehicles in the far-left lanes at all times.
It can capture the number of people in each car through artificial intelligence cameras and send the recordings of suspected violators to a human agent for verification, who can then fine the drivers who break the rules.
The measure is being used to encourage carpooling during peak hours and restrict car use in the capital, following changes to the Boulevard made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, in recent years.
Another measure was introduced last year, reducing the speed limit to 48 km/h on the 35-kilometer road. In addition, the four gas stations around the road were banned from selling diesel.
Photo and video: Unsplash / Reproduction. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
