Be careful: paying for travel using Apple Pay can result in a hefty fine.
A road user posted on TikTok about his fine for “using a phone while driving.” The latter simply used Apple Pay to pay tolls. Le Figaro sums up the rules.
“Never pay for travel with Apple Pay”the TikTok influencer warned on January 16th. In a video that has already racked up 4.5 million views, the young videographer condemns “revocation of three license points and a fine of 90 euros”. While he was paying highway tolls with his phone, “immediately”the police have “turn on the flasher”and notified him of a fine for using a phone while driving, he says, in particular.
This story could drive more than one person crazy, but on one level “purely normative”she “completely justified”– assesses traffic law lawyer Remy Jossom. On the highway, even at the toll booth, “I drive without standing or parking.”– he explains. Except for handling the phone in circulation, “except driving assistance” forbidden. “Use a telephone payment device” Therefore, this may well constitute a fine under the Highway Code, the lawyer decides, taking into account Article R412-6-1 of the Highway Code.
We can also think about the future and wonder what kind of rogue law enforcement official could have sanctioned this scenario.
Remy Jossom, traffic lawyer
This strict ban is explained by the fact that the police “voiced by this young man”– the road safety delegation confirms to Figaro. “To prevent this from happening, a statutory exception needs to be published stating that the use of a telephone as a means of payment does not fall within the scope of this offence.”agrees Remy Jossom. “We can also think ahead and wonder what kind of rogue law enforcement official could have sanctioned this scenario.”he adds.
However, if the lawyer had a young, influential man as a client, he would have pleaded guilty. “the fact that Vinci highway makes possible an illegal method of payment”. Because on its website the highway concessionaire encourages its users “give preference to contactless payment”introducing “their card, smartphone or other connected item in front of a reader designed for that purpose”. “On this basis, it can be argued that the fined young man did not intend to commit this offense.”– the lawyer concludes.
