This sign is too little known, motorists and cyclists risk a fine of 135 euros

Many road users shy away from this really not simple road sign. to understand.

Changes in the travel habits of the French have changed the way they travel. the urban landscape for several years. There is only'''s see the number of workers using mobility gentle to go to the office to grasp this great upheaval. If the car and public transport (RER, metro, bus…) are still in the majority, alternative means of transport – and in particular cycling – have transformed the streets, especially in large cities. Unfortunately, cohabitation in cities between motorized vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians is not always a great success, far from from there. And if everyone often believes they are in the right, learning the Highway Code remains today the best way to respect the rules and therefore to respect others.< /p>

To adapt to new mobility, the Highway Code has evolved. in recent years. New road signs have emerged to further regulate the circulation of light vehicles but also to protect them. This is the case of panel B53, shown here. by a large square blue &agrav; inside which there are a car, a bicycle and a pedestrian, as well as in the corner at the bottom below. on the right a small white circle with 20 written on it. inside. It is barred diagonally by a wide red band which passes over the cyclist and the pedestrian. That's a lot of information and multiple possibilities of interpretation, but this panel only has one explanation.< /p>

To start, &agrav; who is it addressed? Due to the presence on the plate of a mini speed limit sign, the most A common problem is that this sign requires motorists to follow suit. roll &agrav; less than 20 kilometers/hour for safety cyclists and pedestrians. There is some truth but it is very incomplete. This sign actually concerns cyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists. This is a meeting zone sign in urban areas, these spaces established in France following the n° 2008-754 of July 30, 2008 which aim to enable à everyone to share the road. All users therefore have the right to travel on the roadway, however with priority given to them. absolute speed given to pedestrians, and the speed limit is set at 20 km/h for all types of vehicles (cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, etc.)

As for the red band that crosses the panel, it is simply to indicate that it is an end of zone meetings, and that more classic rules of the Highway Code take over once outside the perimeter. Most of these meeting areas have been closed down. created in city centers, most often in historic centers, or in places with a large number of pedestrians. They must allow road users to coexist in complete safety. You still need to know that they exist and know the meaning of the sign indicating them.

Especially since non-compliance with the rules governing meeting areas can result in very heavy sanctions. In the event of exceeding the authorized speed, motorists and cyclists incur the usual penalties, ranging from 68 to…3,750 euros depending on the speed chosen as well as the loss of ;one or more points on the driving license. Regarding the non-compliance with the priority; à a pedestrian, the offense results in the withdrawal of 6 points on the license and a fine of 135 euros.