Three new traffic signs added to French highways! The maximum fine for non-compliance is 135 euros.

Recently, three "new faces" signs have quietly appeared on French highways. Don't underestimate their existence, because behind them is a regulation that was written into the Road Code as early as 2018 - the "safe passage corridor" rule (corridor de sécurité). And now, this regulation has finally ushered in an "official sign".

[What exactly is this regulation? ]
Since September 2018, France has stipulated that when a driver sees a parked vehicle on the roadside or in the emergency lane with hazard warning lights turned on, or a vehicle using special lights, he must slow down and change lanes away from the vehicle, provided that safety is ensured.

If it is really impossible to change lanes, you must also try to pass as far as possible in the original lane.

This is the so-called "safe passage corridor" principle, written in Article R412-11-1 of the Road Code.

[Not complying? 135 Euro fine waiting for you]
This regulation is not for show - if you ignore this "detour courtesy" rule, it will be regarded as a fourth-level traffic violation, and you will be fined 135 euros, and may be accompanied by driver's license deduction points. The problem is that many drivers don't know this rule at all...

So, the French government decided to "print this rule on the face" directly and remind everyone through road signs!

[Three new signs, officially on the road]
On April 9, 2025, the "Official Gazette" issued a new policy, and the "safe corridor" signs with sign numbers SR53a, SR53b, and SR53c were officially included in the national road sign system, and will take effect on April 10.
 

These three signs are not randomly placed, but a "set": they appear in sequence at intervals of 300 meters.

A set of signs is like the "three steps to cross the road", prompting drivers to operate in three steps: see a car on the side of the road → slow down → pull over or change lanes → pass safely.

Their icons use red, green and orange elements, with a white base, which is very eye-catching, ensuring that you can "see it when you pass by" when driving.

[Why install it now? ]

In fact, these signs have been "tested" on some French highways in recent years. For example, the highway operator Vinci Autoroutes has tried to install such signs at several busy highway exits. The official inclusion this time is to promote this practice.

According to Vinci data, as many as 67% of drivers do not strictly abide by the rules, even though this obligation has long been included in the law.

The addition of the official logo this time is intended to raise driver awareness, especially to protect the "yellow-clad people" (road rescue, construction workers, traffic police, etc.) working in the emergency lane on the highway.

[Tips: When should you follow this rule? ]

As long as you encounter one of the following situations, you must remember the "three steps":

There is a vehicle parked + with double flashes on in the emergency lane.

There is a rescue, maintenance, or police vehicle using special lights on the roadside.

The vehicle ahead is very slow, suspected of an accident, or maintenance vehicle is working.

Even if you just "pass by", you must: slow down + pullover + (if possible) change lanes.

To sum up:

The new sign was officially incorporated into the legal system in April.

It appears on the highway and reminds you to "slow down + avoid" in three stages.

Failure to comply will result in a fine of 135 euros + deduction points.

Safety is not an "optional question", don't be careless about this!

If you are on the highway recently and see these new signs, don't be surprised - this is the French government "reminding you to cherish life and stay away from accidents".

Next time you encounter a car with a flashing yellow light, remember to take one more step to save a fine!