Tackling motorbike stunts: a law has been passed

Gérard COLLOMB, Minister of State and Minister for the Interior, and Jacqueline GOURAULT, Minister attached to the Minister of State and Minister for the Interior, welcome the Senate’s adoption this afternoon, by a very large majority, of the bill to step up the fight against motorised street racing. This vote demonstrates the broad consensus that underpinned the drafting of this bill, just as was the case in the National Assembly on 4 July. This draft bill, drawn up in close collaboration with all departments of the Ministries of the Interior and Justice, now provides an appropriate and deterrent legal framework to prevent and punish these dangerous acts, which are causing exasperation amongst the public and concern amongst elected representatives. Sentences of up to five years’ imprisonment may now be imposed if the offence is committed by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who does not hold a driving licence. Police officers and gendarmes will now be able to immediately order the administrative impoundment of the vehicle used to commit the offence, and its confiscation will be mandatory unless the trial court issues a reasoned decision to the contrary. The crackdown on motorised reckless driving is fully in line with the ‘Everyday Security Police’ initiative, launched 8 February most recently by the Minister of State, Minister for the Interior, symbolising the State’s strong commitment to meeting the public’s expectations. As soon as the law is enacted in the coming days, specific guidelines will be issued to departmental prefects so that they may define, in consultation with public prosecutors, a strategy for action involving the national police and gendarmerie, municipal police forces and all their partners, to ensure that such behaviour is dealt with appropriately.