France bans smartphone use in cars even when you pull over
Road deaths have been on the rise lately in France and with nothing much else to pin it on, authorities are going after scofflaw drivers who text or call. It's now illegal to hold your phone on public roads even when you're pulled over to the side of the road, whether you're blocking traffic or not, Le Figaro reports. The high court ruling means that taking what some consider to be a safe step -- pulling over to talk on the phone -- could still result in points and a fine of 135 euros.
Rather create a new law, the ruling has clarified exactly what it means to be "circulating in traffic." Now, it's not enough to pull over and cut the motor in order to use your phone; you have to be parked in a designated spot. When you've had an accident or breakdown, however, you are allowed to call or text.
(Score: 1) by jelizondo on Wednesday February 07 2018, @04:47AM (3 children)
Thank you for the clarification. I happen to be lawyer but not a French one! So I'm not familiar with the judiciary there and tried to translate it to the U.S. system knowing that my knowledge of both the language and the system is poor.
(Score: 2) by dry on Wednesday February 07 2018, @07:50AM
Seems to me the biggest thing is civil law vs common law.
(Score: 2) by Wootery on Thursday February 08 2018, @10:53AM (1 child)
Small blessings - you'll be second against the wall when the revolution comes.
(Score: 1) by jelizondo on Thursday February 08 2018, @09:37PM
I really need to pee, could I go against the wall first?
I happen to be an engineer first, so the revolutionaries will find, as Mao did, that alive we're worth quite more than dead.