400,000 speed bumps are illegal in France according to the Council of State... and now what?

The Council of State has declared 400,000 speed bumps illegal. But don't get out the jackhammer just yet: their disappearance isn't coming anytime soon. Explanations of a legal imbroglio that's shaking up the roads.

The administrative justice system has thrown a spanner in the works: nearly 400,000 speed bumps installed in France do not comply with regulations. However, contrary to expectations, these speed bumps will not be removed. A decision that raises questions about the balance between road safety and compliance with standards.

Since 1994, a decree has strictly regulated their installation: maximum height of 10 cm, prohibition on busy roads, and obligation to combine them with other moderation devices. Problem: 90% of the 450,000 speed bumps recorded exceed these rules, according to the Drivers' Defense League and the association For Peaceful and Sustainable Mobility. These structures denounce multiple nuisances (vehicle damage, noise, delayed emergency services) and have been calling for their dismantling for years.

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Why do speed bumps remain in place?

Despite the recent decision of the Council of State (March 2024), the disputed speed bumps will not disappear. The reason? A legal principle prohibits the destruction of public works, even non-compliant ones. Local authorities therefore find themselves in a delicate position: they must take responsibility for these developments while risking prosecution in the event of an accident linked to their illegality.

"Elected officials could be held responsible," warns Antonin Morelle, president of the PUMSD. This sword of Damocles is pushing some municipalities to audit their infrastructure, while others are adopting a wait-and-see attitude. On the ground, criticism is rife: motorcyclists forced to stand up from their saddles, local residents exasperated by the noise of trucks restarting after hitting a speed bump that was too abrupt, or traces of bodywork scraped on the pavement.

While the legal battle seems to be pausing, the debate remains very much alive. It remains to be seen whether pressure from users, relayed on social networks and the media, will finally prompt a full-scale recalibration. In the meantime, beware of shocks under the chassis...

Source: Le Figaro