This sign is common on the roads but it is very recent and therefore little known. The amount of the fine is already known…
As spring has arrived and with it weekend driving, French motorists could find themselves facing an unexpected challenge on the country’s roads. A new type of sign is spreading, potentially unknown to many, and failing to comply could be costly. These signs, bearing a white triangle on a blue background in their fixed locations, or displaying luminous white diamonds on a black background above the tracks, indicate specific regulations that all drivers must know to avoid sanctions.
These lanes could surprise many motorists, especially those who are not informed of their existence or their function. Ignoring these signs and using these lanes without authorization can be costly, with fines rising to 135 euros. These road symbols indicate lanes reserved for carpooling, an initiative born from the Citizens’ Climate Convention in 2020, aimed at encouraging the shared use of vehicles and travel by collective transport on motorways and expressways. These lanes are specifically intended for vehicles with at least two occupants, very low-emission vehicles equipped with a zero-emission Crit’Air sticker (in particular electric and hydrogen vehicles), as well as taxis, even without passengers. Motorcycles are also allowed to borrow them, provided they transport two people.
The objective of these developments is to promote more sustainable mobility by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads and encouraging environmentally friendly modes of transport. Since their introduction in 2020, these special lanes have been put into service on major routes, notably in Grenoble and Lyon, and continue to spread across the country.
A moment of inattention or ignorance could not only result in a hefty fine, but also compromise efforts to promote greener mobility. During this time of transition to more sustainable travel practices, careful attention to road signs and a commitment to eco-friendly alternatives are more important than ever.