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France introduces compulsory blind spot stickers for trucks


Drivers who fail to display the correct signage will incur a €135 fine from 1 April


Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tons operating in France must since 1 January show signs indicating blind spots, according to Article 55 of Decree No. 2020-1396, which was passed on 17 November 2020.


The signs should be visible on the sides as well as the rear of the vehicle; the format for the sign can be downloaded at: www.securite- routiere.gouv.fr/reglementation-liee-la-route/ reglementation-de-la-visibilite Under the legislation, drivers who fail to


display the applicable signage will be subject to a €135 fine, which can be reduced to €95. In summary, the signs have to be displayed as


follows:


Motor vehicle/tractor unit Rear: to the right of the longitudinal median plane and at a height of between 0.9 m and 1.5 m from the ground. For tractors, the sign is to be placed at the rear of the cab. On each lateral side: in the first metre in front of the vehicle, excluding glass surfaces, at a height of between 0.9 m and 1.5 m from the ground. In the case of direct vision systems on the doors, the sign should be placed as close as possible within a distance of 3 m.


Trailer/semi-trailer Rear: to the right of the longitudinal median plane and at a height of between 0.9 m and 1.5 m from the ground, ideally on the kerb side. On each lateral side: in the first metre behind the kingpin of the vehicle (within 1 m of the front bodywork of the vehicle for semi-trailers) and at a height of between 0.9 m and 1.5 m from the ground.


There are exemptions where it is impossible to


comply with the above-mentioned dimensions (for flatbed vehicles, tanker vehicles, container


22


carriers and car transporters). In these scenarios, a support needs to be added to permit the sign to be displayed, or it can be displayed in a line permitted by the technical specification of the vehicle. There were considerable complaints about the very short timeframe permitted for compliance


with this regulation. The French authorities have agreed that those vehicles that display stickers used in their national countries are acceptable, although their placement still needs to meet French requirements. It has also been advised that no fines will be imposed on non-compliant vehicles until 1 April 2021.


February 2021


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