mobility
France wants to make information in car advertisements compulsory: “Walk more often” or “Set up a car pool”
In France, driving a car should become something less of a matter of course (symbol image)
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To work? Quick to the supermarket? Many people get into the car as a matter of course. In France one would like to get motorists to think about alternatives first.
Everyone knows the distinctive stickers on cigarette packs: “Smoking can kill”. In the meantime, mostly accompanied by shocking photos of damage to health that can occur due to the regular use of the glowing stick. And now, even on beer bottles, there is often the note: “Don’t drink and drive – no alcohol behind the wheel”, or something similar. Anyone who uses such luxury foods knows: I can do it, but it is not good. Especially not if I do it regularly.
In France they want to create awareness for driving too. From something everyday, driving in a car should become something that the driver is aware of as a luxury. If possible, alternatives should be used. In Paris, for example, the mayor Anne Hidalgo has been strongly committed to a city that is as car-free as possible since she took office – so far with great success.
Driving a car should become less of an everyday occurrence
A first step in reducing car traffic across France should be a mandatory notice in car advertisements. Car manufacturers then have to include one of three pieces of information in their advertising: “Local public transport is ideal for daily use”, “Set up car pools” or “Shorter distances can also be covered on foot or by bike”. Practically a “ask your doctor or pharmacist” for the automotive industry.
A ban on car advertising is not planned for the time being. The French government is optimistic that just by creating awareness that private car traffic is neither beneficial for the climate nor for the people behind the wheel. And it also seems to be beneficial for cities if there is more space for pedestrians and cyclists than for wide streets from which noise and fumes emanate. If France is successful with its ideas, other countries might be able to copy some of them in the future.
Sources: “Futurism”, “Tagesspiegel”