Autonomous vehicles are no longer perpetually “five years away.” They are here now. Planners must act now to ensure they don’t degrade city life.
Over 600,000 drivers are set to receive fines for small infractions in 2023. This meant that drivers who had been speeding at less than 5 km/h over the limit in 2023 were not sanctioned. Now, however, these people will be receiving speeding tickets after all. The fines due are estimated to be worth €8 million.
- Speeding less than 20 km/h over the limit, in an 50+ km/h limit area: €68, reduced to €45 if paid within 15 days. This increases to €180 if not paid within 45 days.
- Speeding in an area under 50 km/h: €135, reduced to €90 if paid within 15 days, increased to €375 if not paid within 45 days.
- Speeding at more than 50 km/h over the limit: €1,500 (no reductions or increases).
- If the driver speeds by this amount again: €3,750.
With the speed limits changing every few hundred yards and GPS being completely unreliable to correctly show the speed limit, this is going to result in a symphony of sorts that could drive drivers crazy. Add in the challenges of speed camera technology and you have a clear case for autonomous vehicles being a better way to travel. Still waiting to see what my transgression$$$ will be after driving for 2 months in France in a fairly peppy car…..