French Urged to Drive Responsibly
- Share via
PARIS — Interior Minister Pierre Joxe on Wednesday appealed to French drivers to behave more responsibly, saying expectations of a presidential pardon for traffic offenses had unleashed chaos on the streets.
“I am horrified to hear of the recent rise in traffic offenses, parking fines and accidents . . . This is the result of irresponsible hopes for an amnesty,” Joxe told a news briefing.
“I appeal to French drivers to behave in a more responsible way, otherwise we risk more accidents, more traffic problems and more deaths,” he added.
France already has the highest road death rate in Western Europe, with 9,855 people dying in vehicular accidents last year.
Road safety experts say national driving habits have deteriorated even further recently in anticipation of a traffic offense amnesty, traditionally granted after a presidential election.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
