For those who have the money to pay, speeding fines may seem like just a mild reprimand, a very mild punishment for a serious traffic violation.
With this in mind, the French government has passed a new law under which drivers and motorcyclists who exceed the speed limit by 50 km/h or more, in addition to a fine of around $4,000, could face up to three months in prison.
Speeding is considered a serious traffic violation in France, but until now you could only be convicted if you were a repeat offender.
However, the authorities found that this was not enough. In 2024 alone, authorities recorded 63,217 cases of drivers exceeding the speed limit by at least 50 km/h, a 69% increase compared to 2017.
Now, in addition to possible prison sentences and fines, judges can suspend your driver’s license and prohibit you from applying for a new license for up to three years. They can also confiscate your vehicle and ban you from driving certain vehicles for up to five years.
This offense will be recorded in your criminal record, you will receive six points on your license and they may even force you to take a road safety course, which you will have to pay for out of pocket.
And it’s not just in France. Several American states have adopted specific laws against so-called “super speeders,” indicating a change in the way authorities deal with speeding.
Photo: Triumph. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
