9/3/2018
France: Speed Camera Revolt IntensifiesFrench public continues to resist lowered speed limits with a doubling of the number of attacks on speed cameras.
The French public has not responded well to the nationwide reduction in speed limits that took effect in July. As the number of citations issued by speed cameras has doubled, so too the number of attacks on automated ticketing machines. On Friday, pink spraypaint blinded the speed camera on the RD643 in Aubencheul-au-Bac, La Voix du Nord reported, which was followed by painting the same shade on the camera on the D621 in Lambres-lez-Douai, the same publication noted. According to Centre Presse Aveyron, the speed camera on the RD994 in Mayran was set on fire on Friday. On the border with Italy, Riviera 24 reports that attacks have continued in Val Roya with multiple cameras taken out of service.
According to La Depeche, the speed camera on the D994 in Rodez was set on fire on Friday. In Bas-en-Basset and Aurec-sur-Loire, vigilantes covered the speed cameras on the D46 in plastic trash bags, La Commere 43 reported. White paint was used to take out the camera on the D323 in Duneau, according to L'Écho Sarthois.
According to Ouest France, black paint and the word "No" adorned a pair of speed camera on the RN162 near Chateau-Gontier on Thursday. For the fifth time this year, the speed camera on the RD1084 in Poncin has been knocked out of commission, Le Progres reported. The device is the third most profitable camera in Ain. According to Le Parisien, bright orange was the color of choice to disable the speed camera on the RD983 in Mantes-la-Ville on Tuesday. White paint blinded the Asnieres-les-Dijon radar on the RD 903 last week Sunday, Le Bien Public reported. The day before, the speed camera in Hontanx was covered in white tape and the one on the D824 in Saint-Paul-les-Dax had white paint and an expletive inscribed on it, according to Sud Ouest.