France bans earphones

The French government certainly doesn't mind pushing the boundaries in relation to its road laws. A few years ago it tried to force motorcyclists on bikes over 125cc to don reflective clothing, which was eventually repealed, it then proposed a speed limit of 80km/h on the national road network, and now a new law has been enacted banning earphones for both drivers and riders.

And the timing for motorcyclists, who flock en masse to France during summer, couldn't be worse, with the new legislation prohibiting riders from wearing any headset that can emit sound, whether it is used to listen to music or make or receive phone calls.

If you break the law, you will be facing a 135 euro ($A195) fine.
If you have hands-free speakers that are fitted onto your helmet but don't go in your ear, then you'll still be allowed to use those. Likewise, hearing aids are permitted.

A recent study by the Transport Research Laboratory exposed that in 2014, there were more than 470,000 motorists observed holding a phone either in their hand or to their ear.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM), said: "The results are very disappointing but not at all surprising. Campaigners routinely talk about the inherent dangers of the distraction caused by mobile phone usage, but drivers never believe they will be caught."