Not all drivers necessarily know this, but administrative sanctions for road traffic offenses are not all the same on French territory, each department having its own driving license suspension scale. When the figures are not good, some prefects tighten the screw by toughening the sanctions. This is the case in Côtes-d’Armor, where the year 2023 is already shaping up to be very bad with 45 killed and 564 injured in road accidents. This is “6 killed and 135 injured more than in 2022 at the same period”, deplores the prefecture.
In agreement with the police and the public prosecutors of Saint-Brieuc and Saint-Malo, the decision was therefore taken to extend the duration of suspension of the driving license, “whatever the origin administrative sanction (excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or use of narcotics).”
After the Palmade accident, sanctions reinforced in Seine-et-Marne
In the event of an alcohol level of 0.65 or 0.89 milligrams per liter expired, a young driver now has his probationary license suspended for a period of five and seven months, compared to four and six months until now. Ditto in the event of speeding above 60 km/h, with seven months of license suspension for a young driver (instead of six until now) and nine months in the event of a repeat offense (instead of six). Refusal to comply is also now punishable by six months of license suspension and one year in the event of endangering the lives of others.
The Ariège prefecture already strengthened sanctions a few weeks ago, as did that of Seine-et-Marne in February. In this department, the decision was taken following the deterioration of road safety as well as the road accident caused by the comedian Pierre Palmade, which “only reinforced our choice”, explained the prefect Lionel Beffre.