Phone use with stationary vehicles in France

[Fred]

Be careful if you have stopped on the side of the road to use your mobile phone as you could get fined.

The court of appeal has said that a person who was fined for using his phone whilst stationary will still have to pay the fine. The court said that using a mobile phone ion a car that you are in control of is illegal even if you have stopped on the side of a road.

* The only exception is on private land, in a designated parking area or for vehicles that have broken down.

So be careful or you risk a fine of €135 and the loss of three points on your licence.

[Admiral]

Thanks Fred.  As ever a mine of information.

One thought though; does the fine still apply if you have pulled over to use the phone and switched the engine OFF?

I know in the UK it is a treasonable offence to pull over and to leave the motor running whilst you make the call.  But if you switch the engine off you are not deemed to be in control of the car.

Just wondering....

I'm sure the law in France will be much more complicated because this is err....France.

[Fred]

Thanks Fred.  As ever a mine of information.

One thought though; does the fine still apply if you have pulled over to use the phone and switched the engine OFF?

I know in the UK it is a treasonable offence to pull over and to leave the motor running whilst you make the call.  But if you switch the engine off you are not deemed to be in control of the car.

Just wondering....

I'm sure the law in France will be much more complicated because this is err....France.

The way I read it Admiral is that "If you are in charge and able to drive the vehicle" then yes you will still get done. But I'll leave you to challenge the 3 Gendarme that will stop beside you.

[pastelpainter]

I had no idea! Thanks so much for this discussion as I've not been caught out 'yet' at the very odd moments where I've stopped to make a call. Won't tempt fate. Shall now warn hubby et al.

Best to all,
Pastelpainter

[Brian]

I've often thought about wiring a switch in series with the fuse for the engine management computer to ensure that a fault can exist should the need arise

[Jane]

I don't see how making a call in a stationery vehicle can be a crime. I'd rather sit in the safety of my car and use my phone, than get out to make a call, especially if out alone at night. Surely there have to be exceptional circumstances allowed.

[pastelpainter]

Hi Jane,

Yes, it's a strange law. Perhaps has to do with quotas? Who knows? It's nuts! The real safety hazard is the phoning/texting while driving which seems to go on and on. I guess not so easy to detect whereas a parked car is a sitting duck, so to speak.

I will do some detective work online and see if there are, indeed, any exceptions to this, frankly, dangerous law.

All best,
Pastelpainter

[Jane]

Hi Jane,

Yes, it's a strange law. Perhaps has to do with quotas? Who knows? It's nuts! The real safety hazard is the phoning/texting while driving which seems to go on and on. I guess not so easy to detect whereas a parked car is a sitting duck, so to speak.

I will do some detective work online and see if there are, indeed, any exceptions to this, frankly, dangerous law.

All best,
Pastelpainter

Totally agree with you. More people would be caught sitting still in their cars. To be honest I will continue to use my phone, when necessary, in safety. I never use my phone whilst driving, and always ignore calls until I park up, but shall continue to use it, while stopped, with the engine off.

[pastelpainter]

Kindred spirits! :-)

[Brian]

Don't forget that as Fred pointed out in his earlier post, you can use your phone on your car if you are on private land, broken down or in a designated parking place. These probably cover the vast majority of places where you would wish to use your phone while car-bound.