France bans earphones
Riding to France? Get the right headset
RIDING or driving while wearing earphones has been banned in France.
The new rules prohibit the use of any headset capable of emitting sound, including music and phone calls, with a penalty of a €135 (£95) fine and three licence points.
Exceptions include hands-free speakers that are fitted to the helmet and don’t go in the ear, which are still permitted according to the French news website Numerama.
Drivers can still make hands-free calls using systems that don’t involve a headset.
Hearing aids can still be worn and emergency services can still use hands-free headsets.
The rules were published by the French government on Saturday and are now in force.
Visordown recently reported how motorcyclists are now also required to carry high-visibility vests in France.
