A NEW road side in France this summer is threatening to impose a huge fine for holidaymakers if they break its key rule.
Travellers to the country’s capital may come across the sign when driving in Paris, and it should not be ignored.
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A fine of £118 awaits motorists breaking the rules of the sign, which features a white diamond on a blue background.
The sign can be seen on the eight lane Boulevard Périphérique around Paris, which is used by around one million vehicles each day.
The symbol on it signifies that the left-hand lane can only be used for vehicles with passengers.
Motorists caught driving alone in these lanes on the road’s cameras will be issued automatic fines.
It is being used in a bid to restrict car use in the capital, following changes in recent years to the Boulevard by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Another measure was introduced last year, which reduced the speed limit to 30mph on the 22-mile motorway.
Four filling stations along the stretch of road were also banned from selling diesel fuel.
However, the latest road rule incurs a costly bill if not followed, requiring a payment €135, equating to around £117.50.
A new control system was installed on May 2, and put live to ensure compliance with the rules.
The system involves hi-tech computer-assisted video enforcement (VAO) which monitors vehicles in the far left lanes at all times.
It can capture the number of people in each car through artificial intelligence cameras.
The recordings of vehicles considered to be breach the rules are then sent to a human agent for verification, who can then issue motorists abusing the rules with a fine.
Signs and enforcement for the new carpool only lanes on the ring road also started at the beginning of May.
They aim to encourage commuters to travel into the city in groups of at least two, hoping to reduce congestion and emissions from vehicles.
The car sharing lanes are on the far left of the four-lane carriageway in both directions of what is one of the busiest ring roads in Europe.
These exclusive lanes were initially introduced for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games last summer, designated for athletes and staff to use as priority vehicles accessing the city.
Hidalgo, who has launched various anti-car measures for the city, confirmed they would remain after the conclusion of the games, and instead be used for car sharing in peak congestion hours.
These hours 7am to 10:30am and 4pm to 8pm on weekdays.
On weekends and public holidays, all lanes are open to any vehicle.
Public transport operators, emergency service vehicles, taxis, and cars for people with reduced mobility are also permitted to use the carpool lanes at any time.
President of Automobile Association, Edmund King, told the Daily Mail: “Britons driving to Paris this summer might be forgiven for not understanding a new addition to French road signs – the diamond with a blue background.
“Some might think it is a sign to the ‘diamond district’ in Paris, which is around Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix, but it is not – it is a sign denoting a car sharing lane.”
