French ministers 'flout road rules'

The ministers were not as patient as some drivers

French ministerial cars regularly break traffic laws, according to an in-depth investigation by a car magazine.

Auto Plus witnessed ministers' cars being driven dangerously, speeding and going through red lights.

'Disqualified cars'

Transport minister

Interior minister

Justice minister

Economy minister

Environment minister

Source: Auto Plus

It said that some of the ministers' drivers would have lost their licences had they been stopped by the police.

Auto Plus reporters followed, timed and photographed the cars.

Transport minister embarrassed

The driver of Transportation Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot, who is in charge of road safety, was one of the worst offenders.

The magazine said he would have faced fines of FF14,520 (about $2,135) and 17 points - enough to lose his licence.

An embarrassed Mr Gayssot tried to explain the infractions, saying he used the flashing light in his car "as little as possible" but that sometimes his job made it necessary.

A minister is "like an ambulance ... The function can, in certain cases, entail certain obligations," he said.

He recently said that more than 3,000 lives a year could be saved if people respected speed limits.

His driver was seen breaking the speed limit four times, Auto Plus said.

Rough justice

Justice Minister Marylise Lebranchu was reported to be the worst offender. Her car racked up FF20,900 ($3,000) worth of fines and 19 points in just two trips, including going the wrong way down a one-way street.

Prime Minister Lionel Jospin's driver committed FF10,900 of infringements ($1,600) over three days, and, with 11 points, came just short of losing his licence, the magazine said.

In France, a licence is revoked after a driver accumulates 12 points.

The 'best' driver, that of President Jacques Chirac, violated the speed limit just once.

Shortly after his election, Mr Chirac promised that official cars would obey traffic regulations.

About 8,000 people die each year on French roads and authorities have launched repeated safety campaigns.