A New Law in the Making: Road Homicide, Not Just Involuntary Anymore
Severe punishment for fatal traffic incidents: pending law details a new classifiable crime in road fatalities
Curious about the upcoming changes in the Penal Code? It seems the much-debated bill to establish road homicide will soon find its way to the National Assembly. The bill was first introduced back in 2023 but held up by the dissolution of the Assembly in June 2024. But come May 6-7, 2025, it's back on the table!
The bill, themed "combating road violence" and brought forward by The Republicans' deputy Eric Pauget, aims to crack down on dangerous drivers by intensifying penalties. A response to the growing instances of road violence, this new legislation seeks to reflect the seriousness of the road accidents and punish perpetrators severely. In 2024, France alone reported over 3,400 fatalities on its roads.
So, what will road homicide entail? The new offense will focus on aggravating elements and target drivers responsible for fatal accidents due to alcohol, drugs, phone usage, unlicensed driving, hit-and-runs, or exceeding the speed limit by over 30 km/h. In sum, a dozen such factors have been taken into account. This leads to a reconsideration of the term 'involuntary' and a push for separate offenses.
The penalties incurred for such situations would be stiffer, with maximum sentences stretching up to seven years in prison and 100,000 euros in fines. Matters worsen for those with at least two of these aggravating factors, who could face 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to 150,000 euros. An accident without aggravating circumstances, however, remains an involuntary homicide.
The bill also proposes the notion of "road injury" for instances resulting in extended disabilities of over three months, with penalties reaching five years in prison and 75,000 euros in fines.
Several victim associations, including Yannick Alléno (whose son was killed by a drunk driver in 2022) and Pierre Palmade (convicted of a serious accident under the influence of drugs in 2023), support the new bill.
If this bill becomes law, it could be effective by the end of the year, providing stronger deterrents for reckless driving and increasing accountability for those who choose to put others' lives at risk.
The trade union representing road safety advocates has expressed support for the proposed policy-and-legislation on road homicide, urging for stricter penalties in the general news. If passed, the upcoming crime-and-justice bill could lead to more severe consequences for drivers involved in fatal accidents, including increased prison sentences and larger fines, potentially impacting the political landscape.
