French National Assembly Approves New Law Defining Road Homicide
Legislation aims to redefine legal consequences for fatal road incidents involving substances.
On June 6, 2025, the French National Assembly passed legislation establishing the legal definition of 'road homicide' after a majority vote, following an intense campaign from the family of Noé Guez, a 16-year-old who tragically lost his life in June 2022 in Antibes.
Noé was struck by a driver under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, prompting his family to advocate for legal reform.
The new law, which remains pending a final vote in the Senate, signifies a shift in how the justice system categorizes fatal road accidents caused by impaired driving.
The newly defined road homicide differentiates these incidents from involuntary manslaughter, obliging those responsible for such acts to face more severe consequences.
The parents of Noé, Marceline and Yvon Guez, expressed their belief that this reclassification is not merely a change in terminology but a vital acknowledgment of the gravity of the crimes committed under the influence.
Éric Pauget, a member of the National Assembly representing the Alpes-Maritimes region, spearheaded the legislative proposal.
He noted that the bill reflects the expectations of victims' rights organizations while providing clarity for judicial proceedings.
Currently, the average sentences for similar offenses have ranged between 24 and 36 months, while the new classification under road homicide could lead to penalties of up to ten years of imprisonment and fines reaching 150,000 euros, particularly in cases involving aggravating factors.
The law also expands the list of aggravating factors to include additional dangerous behaviors, such as the use of psychoactive substances, participation in urban rodeos, and non-compliance with police orders.
It aims to counteract the normalization of dangerous driving behaviors, intending to enforce stricter penalties in alignment with the severity of the offenses committed.
The Guez family emphasized the importance of accurately naming these offenses to ensure accountability for those who drive after consuming drugs or alcohol.
They articulated the hope that this legislation would usher in a new perspective within the judicial system regarding the accountability of offenders.
Following the assembly vote, which saw 194 in favor and 6 against from a total of 203 participants, advocates believe that the law could serve as a powerful deterrent against reckless driving, potentially saving lives in the future.
Noé was struck by a driver under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, prompting his family to advocate for legal reform.
The new law, which remains pending a final vote in the Senate, signifies a shift in how the justice system categorizes fatal road accidents caused by impaired driving.
The newly defined road homicide differentiates these incidents from involuntary manslaughter, obliging those responsible for such acts to face more severe consequences.
The parents of Noé, Marceline and Yvon Guez, expressed their belief that this reclassification is not merely a change in terminology but a vital acknowledgment of the gravity of the crimes committed under the influence.
Éric Pauget, a member of the National Assembly representing the Alpes-Maritimes region, spearheaded the legislative proposal.
He noted that the bill reflects the expectations of victims' rights organizations while providing clarity for judicial proceedings.
Currently, the average sentences for similar offenses have ranged between 24 and 36 months, while the new classification under road homicide could lead to penalties of up to ten years of imprisonment and fines reaching 150,000 euros, particularly in cases involving aggravating factors.
The law also expands the list of aggravating factors to include additional dangerous behaviors, such as the use of psychoactive substances, participation in urban rodeos, and non-compliance with police orders.
It aims to counteract the normalization of dangerous driving behaviors, intending to enforce stricter penalties in alignment with the severity of the offenses committed.
The Guez family emphasized the importance of accurately naming these offenses to ensure accountability for those who drive after consuming drugs or alcohol.
They articulated the hope that this legislation would usher in a new perspective within the judicial system regarding the accountability of offenders.
Following the assembly vote, which saw 194 in favor and 6 against from a total of 203 participants, advocates believe that the law could serve as a powerful deterrent against reckless driving, potentially saving lives in the future.