You might come across them on the holiday motorway, or rather, you won’t see their barriers anymore. Since 19 June, the A14 has become a free-flowing toll motorway. This means that drivers will no longer have to stop at a barrier to pay the toll. A new type of toll that tends to become the standard for all new motorways.
• How does a free-flow toll highway work?
A free-flow toll road is a highway where motorists no longer have to stop at a barrier to pay the toll. The number plates of all vehicles travelling on the highway are recorded by cameras at the gates, which are then cross-referenced to determine the amount that, depending on the route, motorists must pay electronically (see below).
Signs inform drivers that they are on a free-flowing toll motorway. Following the introduction of this system on the A13 and A14 motorways, a centre was set up in Normandy to assist customers.
• What are the advantages of free tolls?
The first objective of this innovation is to save time. “On Paris-Caen, the saving will be 30 minutes,” explains Vincent Fanguet, director of operations and experience at the Sanef group. “The benefit is also environmental: a smoother flow avoids stopping and accelerating again, allowing us to emit less CO2.” “The annual saving is estimated at 9.5 million euros in fuel for traffic on the A13 and A14 motorways,” reads the Ministry of Ecology’s website.
Another advantage proposed by the ministry and road managers: safety, with fewer unexpected starts and less stress, especially during periods of heavy traffic.
The implementation of this type of expensive infrastructure – making the A13 and A14 free-flowing represents an investment of 120 million euros – is supported by the State. “The absence of a toll barrier makes it possible to limit the consumption of natural space and free up the rights of way of the old toll stations,” can be read on the website of the Ministry of Ecology.
• How many motorways are affected in France?
The A14 operator, Sanef, deactivated all its barriers on 19 June between La Défense and Orgeval en Yvelines. By the end of the year, on the Paris-Normandy axis, the 210 kilometres of the A14 and A13 will have been switched to this new mode of traffic. Sanef already operates this system at exit 36, Moselle, on the busy A4 motorway.
On the APRR network, it is the A79 between Dijon in Saône-et-Loire and Montmarault in Allier which, since 4 November 2022, has been operating in free circulation.
• How to pay your toll?
Even in free circulation, motorists must pay a toll. For owners of an electronic toll device, nothing changes.
Others have 72 hours to pay on the motorway company’s website by entering their number plate, or at a Nirio tobacco shop anywhere in France (there are now nearly 4,000).
Drivers who regularly use motorways can also create an account on the networks of motorway companies to be charged automatically.
• What is the penalty in case of forgetfulness?
Motorists have 72 hours to pay the toll. After this deadline, they will be sent a letter with an increase of 10 euros for payment within 10 days and 90 euros after this new deadline. “In the event of non-payment within two months, a fixed fine increased by 375 euros will be imposed,” specifies the website of the Ministry of Ecology. Sanef specifies that a grace period applies during these first weeks: the first letter sent will be sent without an increase.
Source: BFM TV
