But if some motorists have raised their foot in caution, others drew their smartphone. Result : More than 100 verbalizations for using the phone while driving. A brutal reminder of what the law formally prohibits, even by “curiosity”.
A massive verbalization operation
The facts occurred on June 5, 2025, near La Roche-de-Glun in Drôme. While a truck overturned on the road, causing an emergency intervention and a substantial slowdown, the gendarmes decided to carefully monitor the behavior of the drivers. And what they found to challenge.
No less than 109 motorists were caught in the act of filming or photo taking with their phone. Rather than focusing on the road or respecting the safety instructions, these drivers took advantage of the scene to capture images … in defiance of the highway code.
The police did not carry out conventional checks, they simply noted the license plate of the vehicles concerned and drawn up contraventions on the fly, a method made possible by legislation and widely used in automated controls.
135 euros fine and 3 fewer points
The motorists concerned will receive in the coming days a lump sum fine of 135 euros, reduced to 90 euros if it is settled quickly (within 15 days). Even more annoying: three points will be withdrawn from the driving license.
Because the legislation is very clear: since July 1, 2015, the use of a phone kept in hand by driving is prohibited, whatever its purpose. This includes calls, messages, but also taking videos or photos. No exception is provided in case of traffic jam, slowed traffic or even at the red light!
A gesture too banal … but risky because many drivers seem to forget that at the wheel, this gesture can have very real consequences. Not only does he distract attention, but it often slows trafficking, causing “curiosity traffic jams” sometimes dangerous.
The authorities regularly recall that these behaviors constitute a risk for the security of help, but also for other users. Film an accident scene, even briefly, looks away from the road and can generate inattentive reactions, including secondary collisions.
By targeting these “harmless” gestures, the gendarmes intend to get a clear message across: the phone while driving is no. Even when you stop, as long as the engine runs and the vehicle is not parked in safety, the highway code applies fully.
🟣 To not miss any news on the Geek newspaper, subscribe to Google News and on our WhatsApp. And if you love us, .
