The French interior minister, Bernard, announces that its project to prohibit the use of any types of earphones while driving, announced in January, formally come into effect on June 30, 2015. The ban will affect all drivers in reflective clothing (Car and Motorbike) … but not the same way.
End of “tolerance” … but not for everyone!
Among the “26 new measures” announced by Mr. Cazeneuve earlier this year to reduce road deaths – up for the first time in 12 years last year – the prohibition of telephone earphone had caused a stir.
Originally this project was intended to eradicate one of the worst practices of modern drivers: take advantage of its trips to spend his phone calls while driving or texting, reading your emails or surf the web.
“The massive use of mobile devices in recent years has affected the conduct and causes accidents in number, and we will stand firm to empower drivers” recalls Bernard Cazeneuve.
This “hard” results in the cancellation, as of June 30 according to our colleagues at L’Express, the current tolerance granted to owners of Bluetooth earphones or wired type of handsets sold with most phones laptops. Are concerned according to the list of the Ministry all devices “like headphones, headset and headset may limit both the attention that the hearing of the drivers.”
This summer, make use of one of these reflective accessories while driving will be likened to a call made with the hand-held phone. T he department is plancherait on the amount and terms of fines imposed in the event of use of a telephone system with headsets. A priori, it is logical to think that the fine be equal or less than that for use of hand-held phone (135 € and down 3 points).
How to communicate on a motorcycle?
In principle, everyone will agree to think that this is a laudable initiative, except perhaps telephone manufacturers … and the two-wheeler users. Because if this new measure prohibits the use of Bluetooth and wired headset, however it allows the use of integrated systems connected to the speakers – usually via Bluetooth – to fully voice commands (without handling the phone so) Technology increasingly common in automobile.
This means that motorists with reflective tapes on clothing will not be disturbed for a long time by this measure, contrary bikers and scooter riders who are unable to install a device on their 2 and 3-wheelers! Not easy indeed to cram a loudspeaker on his motorcycle or his scoot…
However, many two-wheeler users currently use of Bluetooth headsets not to call the handlebar but follow the directions dictated by their GPS, listen to music or chat with their passenger. Bikers are also concerned of police , but also monitor motorcycle schools that use these devices to transmit their instructions to the students.
Unless a waiver is granted or certain types of equipment are finally tolerated motorbike – two hypotheses that are not mentioned yet – will require a priori find another alternative this summer … A Follow on MNC: stay tuned!