Going through red lights is strictly prohibited and is costly for those who break the rules. But now, certain users are nevertheless authorized. In what cases exactly?
The highway code does not only apply to cars. All users must know it, including pedestrians. This is constantly evolving, and you must therefore keep yourself informed of developments on a regular basis, in order to comply with the law. Motorists and two-wheelers know this well: anyone who passes when the traffic light is red incurs a fine of 135 euros, and the withdrawal of four points. However, there are some exceptions, such as this new regulation which concerns certain users.
For several years now, motorized personal travel devices (EDPM) with or without saddle, such as electric scooters, self-balancing scooters or even gyrowheels, have been used more and more. Being relatively new, it was not always clear what law their users had to follow. To resolve this problem, a decree published in the Official Journal on March 23, 2024 and entered into force on March 24 stipulates that EDPM drivers must respect the signs applied to bicycles. This implies respecting certain constraints, such as riding on cycle paths when they are recommended or obligatory, respecting traffic prohibition signs, two-way cycle signage, etc., but it also offers certain advantages.
The biggest of these is undoubtedly being able to pass when the light is red, under certain conditions. Indeed, users of electric scooters and other EDPMs are now concerned by the conditional authorization sign to cross a light with a “give way”. This M12 type sign represents a white triangle with a red border and a direction point, on which a bicycle and a yellow arrow are drawn.
When this sign is present under the traffic light, cyclists and EDPM drivers have the right to pass when the light is red, provided they give way to road users for whom the light is green. They must also respect the direction indications given by the arrow on the sign: if it goes to the right, they have the right to pass through the red light provided they go to the right, if it goes upwards, they do not are not allowed to turn, etc.