Paris bans cars registered before 1997 from streets

French newspaper Le Monde has reported that all cars registered before 1997 will be banned from Parisian roads from the beginning of July under strict new laws introduced to tackle the city's dangerously high smog levels.

The new powers, granted to Paris' local government, will also prohibit anyone from riding a motorcycle that was registered before 1999.

The ban of old vehicles will apply only during the week from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm.

Those tempted to flout the law will be fined up to $55 per day.

From January 1, 2017 the penalty increases to up to $120, and from 2020 the ban will extend to all vehicles registered before 2010.

Driving the legislation through is Paris' mayor, Anne Hidalgo, who recently introduced a complete car ban from the Champs-Elysees on the first Sunday of every month.

Last year Hidalgo was behind implementing the city's first ever day without cars in the central neighbourhoods of Paris and is pushing for the introduction of new pedestrian zones all over the French capital.

According to Le Monde, the new ban of pre-1997 vehicles will affect 10 per cent of all vehicles that drive daily around the city.

Paris' drive to cut air pollution has been publically supported by French environment minister, Segolene Royal.

Taking inspiration from Paris, Royal has agreed to introduce a new plan that will classify all vehicles into six categories based on their emissions -- from highest to lowest.

Based on their category, all vehicles will then be given a coloured sticker on their windscreens to help other cities implement restrictions when smog levels exceed safe limits.

According to the World Health Organisation, particulates are responsible for around 42,000 annual deaths in France.

From figures compiled by the French Senate, the cost of air pollution is said to have now passed more than $150 billion a year.

The proposed ban on old cars has already attracted fierce criticism from motoring groups.
Chief concern is the new law disproportionately targets lower-income drivers. Other complaints are that the ban will not result in a significant environmental impact.