Toulouse: Bad habits at the wheel, 34 drivers penalized in the space of 2 hours
Road check yesterday afternoon in the streets of Toulouse by the motorcycle brigade of public security. With too many infractions within 2 hours.
Caught in the act while telephoning behind the wheel of his van, the delivery driver plagues when the police ask him to stop along the Jean-Jaures alleys in Toulouse. “I wanted to join the customers, it is impossible to park here”, assures this fifty-year-old, rather irritated after having received a fine of 135 euros and a withdrawal of points on his license.
Yesterday afternoon, the police from the motorcycle brigade and departmental road safety organized a control operation in the heart of Toulouse. “It’s a period of slackening where motorists are not very careful. To avoid accidents, we are emphasizing the presence of the police, ”assures Marc Zarrouati, the director of the office of the Prefecture of Haute-Garonne. For 2 hours, a team of bikers circulated in the city center in search of offenders. Phone while driving, headphones on bikes, no gloves on a scooter… they’ve been spying on everything. Caught, the drivers must follow the police to the alleys Jean-Jaures.
The law now provides that in the event of a double offense, the license will be immediately withdrawn for a maximum period of 6 months. “If you burn a fire while on the phone, you clearly risk a suspension,” warns a police officer. A few seconds later, he stops a cyclist who is wearing headphones.
Caught on the phone, an Italian had to withdraw 90 €
“135 € for that, it’s annoying. Others are doing much worse, ”says the 50-year-old at fault. “These headsets can prevent you from hearing a vehicle. Anything that causes cognitive or visual disturbances must be prohibited, ”recalls the divisional commander Jean-Christophe Billard, deputy head of the public order service.
An Italian lost and on the phone with a friend was also intercepted. He was forced to pay the bill immediately: 90 euros withdrawn from an ATM. “Those who can not justify housing in France must pay on the spot before being able to repair”, specifies an official. They are also capable of showing good judgment, as with this student whose license plate was damaged. “Christmas present for you. But change it, ”smiles the policeman. “We are not there to club, but to prevent serious accidents,” warns the chief of staff of the prefect. We have already recorded 59 deaths on the roads of the department this year! And Toulouse drivers have room for improvement: 34 fine stamps have been distributed including 21 for telephone while driving, 2 for forgotten red lights, 3 for unobserved continuous lines and 8 divers…