In a TikTok video that caused a lot of reaction, content creator s4iintt (Saint) sounds the alarm. He explains that he was fined for a reason that was surprising to say the least: having paid at the A10 toll in Essonne on January 16 using Apple Pay on his phone.
A crazy story
The influencer explains that a few minutes after using his smartphone, he saw the police arrive and motioned for him to move to the side. He even claims that they put the flashing lights on… He was then given a fine of 90 euros as well as a withdrawal of three points from his driving license.
This video has been talked about a lot since then and it already has more than 4.5 million views. Internet users are in fact wondering whether the sanction is justified from a legal point of view. The answer is yes according to lawyer Rémy Josseaume consulted by Le Figaro.
It specifies that under article R412-6-1 of the Highway Code, the use of the telephone while driving is punishable. Now, and even at the toll, “I am driving while neither stationary nor parked”he specifies. He nevertheless adds: “We can also think ahead, and wonder which crooked enforcement officer could have sanctioned this scenario”.
A possible dispute?
If he had had to plead this matter before a court, the lawyer would in any case have pleaded “the fact that Vinci Autoroute makes an illegal means of payment possible”. On its site, the dealership also invites its customers to favor contactless payment methods and in particular “their card, smartphone or other connected object in front of the reader provided for this purpose”.
For your part, were you aware of this surprising risk when using mobile payment tools at tolls? Tell us in the comments.
What to remember:
- Content creator says he was fined after using Apple Pay at a toll booth
- This sanction is justified with regard to French law which has not evolved in this area.
- The decision to sanction nevertheless remains at the discretion of the police.
- Motorway concessionaires are encouraging their customers to use contactless payment methods
