Be careful, because from this Monday, November 4, car traffic will now be prohibited in the first 4 arrondissements of Paris.
We know that the mayor of Paris doesn’t really like cars, and she wants to do absolutely everything to dissuade motorists from venturing into the streets of the capital. This is why it is increasing measures to make their lives particularly complicated, accusing the car of all ills, and in particular of being entirely responsible for atmospheric pollution.
New restrictions in Paris
This is how after the ZFE (low emission zones) and the reduction in the speed limit of the ring road to 50 km/h, Anne Hidalgo decided to set up a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) in the capital . Well it will soon be done, starting this Monday. Indeed, this Thursday, the Paris town hall published a decree formalizing the establishment of this zone, announced for the first time in 2021. The ZTL will cover an area of 5.5 square kilometers, encompassing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th districts. His mission? Reduce through traffic and calm down the center of the capital by limiting access to motorists who do not have a valid reason to go there. According to the municipality, this initiative should contribute to a reduction in traffic of “7 to 30%” on certain major roads in the city, having a positive impact on air quality and the daily lives of residents. By limiting traffic, the objective is also to encourage soft mobility such as walking, cycling, and public transport. To the detriment of course of passing drivers, who have no other choice but to drive in this area.
A still unclear implementation
The establishment of the ZTL, planned for Monday November 4, 2024will begin with a teaching phase. Initially, Paris City Hall will focus on informing and raising user awareness, rather than on sanctions. Information panels will be installed at the entrances to the area to guide motorists, and agents will be present to explain how the ZTL works. This educational phase will be followed by a period of strict control, where drivers in violation may be fined. Fines will be applied to motorists who pass through the center without residing there or providing a valid reason for their presence, such as a medical appointment, an urgent errand or a cultural outing. It now remains to be seen how Paris town hall will actually be able to verify the legitimacy of the trips. Some elected officials and experts fear that monitoring this measure will be complex to implement, which could then significantly limit its effectiveness.
Despite these challenges, you should know that the implementation of the ZTL responds to strong demand from many Parisians, wanting to find a calmer and more secure city center. For many, the hope is to see the development of a public space that promotes alternative mobility and reduces the impact of noise pollution and pollution.
Source: www.autoplus.fr
