French President Emmanuel Macron mentions the growing demand for bill payments on smartphones after TikTok complaints became a hot topic | ×
PARIS: France’s ban on paying motorway tolls with smartphones will soon end. Today, young French President Emmanuel Macron responded to two influencers on the social media platform TikTok who had complained about this ban. This is a classic example of technology advancing at lightning speed, making even laws obsolete.
One influencer with the nickname “s4iint” was fined 90 euros last week for paying with Apple Pay on her phone at a tollbooth, which the detection camera recognized as “s4iint” and her driver’s license. He claimed that 3 points were deducted from him. He was using the phone while behind the wheel.
However, the TikToker says at the end of the video that he realized the police were simply enforcing the law. he exclaimed. Using Apple Pay on a mobile phone is not allowed, as it constitutes “using a phone while driving.” ” His video received nearly 5 million views.
Masdak, another influencer with 3 million followers on TikTok, known for his clever ways of outwitting various types of scams, featured this story in a video. He said: “At the toll plaza, you are driving in a lane on the highway but your car is still moving and is considered present in a traffic jam.Using a phone is an offense and 135 You will have to pay a hefty fine of EUR.” 3 points of license revoked. ”
Emmanuel Macron, who is very tech-savvy and very active on social media, happened to come across the story of these two influencers and immediately reacted. he admitted. By 2025, you should be able to pay tolls using your mobile phone. So I will pass this on to the Home Secretary and we will work together to resolve this. Thank you for letting us know. ”
Article R1412-6-1 of the French Highway Code clearly states that “the use of a telephone held by the driver of a vehicle in circulation is prohibited.” If a toll plaza barrier forces a driver to stop their vehicle, this stop is only temporary. After paying the toll, you must be able to exit the toll booth quickly to allow other drivers to pass without causing traffic congestion. This is not possible if drivers are using their phones in accordance with the law.
France’s “route codes” or traffic regulations are some of the strictest in the world.
