We’ve all heard the one about breathalyser kits being yet another of the compulsory items that motorists in France should carry, or risk being prosecuted when stopped if they are found not to have two in-date kits on board.
However, the remaining legislation covering the imposition of fines for non-compliance does not exist, so the only consequence might be a stern finger wagging. The phrase ‘mi-cuit’ springs to mind.
Remember, in 2016, the knee-jerk response to the high pollution levels in Paris? On certain days only cars with registration plates ending in an even number were permitted on the City’s roads and on alternate days, those with odd numbers . However, there is now a new initiative for 2017.
Initially for implementation in Paris in March, the new scheme requires all vehicles to display a disc on the windscreen. Different colours of disc will denote the polluting value of the car. The charge is €3.70. A link to the website is at the end of this article.
All drivers should apply to the French Government Dept ‘CRIT’Air’ to obtain a disc for their car and they will issue one of the appropriately colour based on the vehicles’ emissions profile as held on the vehicle database. The vehicle’s registration number will be shown on the disc. The authorities plan to invoke anti-pollution measures by banning or restricting the high-polluting vehicles based on the colours of the discs as the levels of smog in Paris increase. Some vehicles are excluded from categorisation on the basis that they are considered to be the worst polluters such as vehicles registered before 1997.
Naturally, the CRIT’Air initiative is not being too well received amongst car enthusiasts in France and there have been protests and demonstrations. One banner was spotted with the slogan:
“No to Crit’Air, No to Big-Broth’Air”.
Search online for ‘CRIT’Air’ or you can find full information and links to the application process here: certificat-air.