Law. Obstruction offense: What do you risk if you block traffic on September 10?

“Disregarding traffic rules by blocking traffic on a road, whether for a protest or any other reason, is indeed punishable by law. This is an obstruction offense.

This offense also applies to "go-slow operations or any manifestation of this type," our legal advisor specifies.

What is the offense of obstruction?

“You can imagine a demonstration where drivers stop their vehicles on the roadway. Whether they burn tires or place camping chairs on the roadway, the driver will be liable for the offense of obstruction.

Article L412-1 of the Highway Code specifies what this offence is: “The act, with the aim of obstructing or hindering traffic, of placing or attempting to place, on a road open to public traffic, an object obstructing the passage of vehicles or of using any means whatsoever to obstruct it”.

What's new?

“Since the Yellow Vests, the crackdown on obstruction has become tougher. Since January 2023, a vehicle used to block a road can be immobilized and impounded. But this immobilization and impoundment also applies to a vehicle used to transport equipment used to block traffic. We can imagine, in particular, a car used to transport pallets or tires with the aim of blocking a road,” explains Maître Le Dall.

What are the penalties?

“The offense of obstruction is punishable by two years' imprisonment and a €4,500 fine. This can be supplemented by a three-year driving license suspension. For this type of offense, you can now benefit from the fixed fine system. But be careful, it's not a freebie. The fixed fine is €800, the reduced fine (advance payment) is €640, but if you can't pay on time, the increased fine increases to €1,600,” reminds Maître Le Dall.