First phase of experimentation
Three different technologies will be tested for these radars which will be implemented from Tuesday January 4 or January 5, as soon as a decree is published in the Official Journal. These radars are installed on the road that crosses Saint-Forget (78) in the Chevreuse valley, a favorite route for bikers.
This route had already been tested for a “jellyfish radar” equipped with a camera and microphones.
Six other communities will therefore see these devices appear in the coming weeks: Paris, the cities of Nice, Toulouse and Lyon, Bron and the municipalities of Rueil-Malmaison (92) and Villeneuve-le-Roi (94).
During this experimental phase, the radars will not observe any violations, the aim of the test being to determine the maximum sound level, set to start at 90 decibels (the sounds of everyday life are between 30 and 90 decibels).
Until now, each vehicle had its own maximum sound level that can be found on its vehicle registration document and that the police could only check when stopped to check its compliance.
The goal for the ministry is therefore "to amplify controls and improve their efficiency".
Second phase of experimentation
Three months from the installation of the test radars, a second phase of experimentation can begin, this time with the observation of infractions and therefore potential 4th class fines, that is to say a fixed fine. of 135 euros, reduced to 90 euros if payment is made within 15 days.
Barbara Pompili, Minister for the Ecological Transition, underlines in a press release that "noise has a very concrete cost for our fellow citizens" and that "regulations already exist but the generalization of controls is an essential lever to effectively fight against this source of pollution , in particular on public roads ”.
As a reminder
The "social cost" referred to by Barbara Pompili refers to exposure to noise, mainly from transport, which costs more than 147 billion euros per year in France, in particular via the indirect health consequences, according to a report published in July 2021 by the National Council of Noise and Ademe (Ecological Transition Agency).
As for the WHO, the organization considers that noise is the second environmental factor causing the most health damage in Europe, just after air pollution, responsible for 40.000 premature deaths per year in France for example.
These new sound radars will therefore "be intended to be generalized throughout the national territory" if a lasting legislative device is adopted, according to the ministry.