Dozens of drivers fined for filming French road accident
Fines of €135 have been sent to more than 100 motorists who were caught photographing an overturned lorry on the A7 in south-east France, the gendarmerie has confirmed.
A total 109 drivers were spotted passing the crash scene with their mobile phones in their hands, apparently either photographing or filming the situation, by members of the Escadron Départemental de Sécurité Routière (EDSR) – a road traffic unit of the Gendarmerie nationale.
None of the drivers were stopped at the time - but the registration plates of their vehicles were recorded by members of the unit, and penalty notices will be sent out, police told regional newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré.
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The HGV had overturned on the A7 '
autoroute du soleil
,' one of the busiest motorways in France, near La Roche-de-Glun, between Tain-l'Hermitage and Valence, on Thursday, after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. He suffered minor injuries in the incident.
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It took authorities several hours to remove the vehicle and clear the road, leading to long tailbacks.
The notices will only be sent to drivers who were spotted using phones, not passengers.
In France it is illegal to use a phone for any reason while at the wheel - that includes phone calls, messaging and taking photos or filming.
The fine is reduced to €90 if payment is made within 15 days of receiving the letter.
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