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French District of Pas-de-Calais Introduces Immediate License Suspension for Drivers Using Mobile Phones
New penalties expand crackdown on distracted driving as authorities cite rising fatal accidents linked to mobile phone use
Authorities in the French district of Pas-de-Calais have introduced immediate driver’s license suspension for motorists caught using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device.
The measure adds to existing penalties and reflects a broader effort to curb distracted driving following an increase in fatal road accidents.
Under the new regulations, drivers found violating the law will lose their license on the spot, in addition to receiving a fine of 135 euros and three penalty points.
Pas-de-Calais becomes the fourth district to adopt the stricter enforcement, joining Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Charente-Maritime.
The tougher sanctions follow a reported 2 percent rise in fatal accidents over the past year.
In Pas-de-Calais, 57 people were killed in road accidents in 2025, representing approximately 3.9 fatalities per 100,000 residents.
Authorities state that the majority of injury-related accidents in France are caused by driver distraction, including the use of mobile phones while driving.
According to research by insurance company Assurance Prévention-Calais, around 400 people die each year directly as a result of mobile phone use while driving.
The new rules also impose harsher penalties on professional drivers, who will face double the standard fine if caught using a phone without a hands-free system.
In addition, the period of license suspension for driving under the influence of alcohol has been extended to six months.
Drivers exceeding the speed limit by 50 kilometers per hour or more will face a one-year license suspension.
French law allows each district to set its own traffic enforcement measures, provided that penalties are not lower than those established under national legislation.
Since 2020, enforcement authorities have been authorized to suspend licenses immediately for a range of traffic offenses.
The measure adds to existing penalties and reflects a broader effort to curb distracted driving following an increase in fatal road accidents.
Under the new regulations, drivers found violating the law will lose their license on the spot, in addition to receiving a fine of 135 euros and three penalty points.
Pas-de-Calais becomes the fourth district to adopt the stricter enforcement, joining Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Charente-Maritime.
The tougher sanctions follow a reported 2 percent rise in fatal accidents over the past year.
In Pas-de-Calais, 57 people were killed in road accidents in 2025, representing approximately 3.9 fatalities per 100,000 residents.
Authorities state that the majority of injury-related accidents in France are caused by driver distraction, including the use of mobile phones while driving.
According to research by insurance company Assurance Prévention-Calais, around 400 people die each year directly as a result of mobile phone use while driving.
The new rules also impose harsher penalties on professional drivers, who will face double the standard fine if caught using a phone without a hands-free system.
In addition, the period of license suspension for driving under the influence of alcohol has been extended to six months.
Drivers exceeding the speed limit by 50 kilometers per hour or more will face a one-year license suspension.
French law allows each district to set its own traffic enforcement measures, provided that penalties are not lower than those established under national legislation.
Since 2020, enforcement authorities have been authorized to suspend licenses immediately for a range of traffic offenses.
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