MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Protesting “yellow vests” have vandalized 60% of France's speed camera network
The yellow vests movement, or gilets jaunes in French, is named after the high-visibility vests that every driver in the country must keep in their vehicle. 
Interior minister Castaner said the devices had been “neutralized, attacked, or destroyed” by members of the protest movement Members of the “yellow vests” protest movement have vandalized almost 60% of France's entire speed camera network, the interior minister has said. Christophe Castaner said the willful damage was a threat to road safety and put lives in danger.
The protest movement began over fuel tax increases, and saw motorists block roads and motorway toll booths. Some protesters feel speed cameras are solely a revenue-generating measure which takes money from the poor.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield, in Paris, said evidence of the vandalism is visible to anyone driving around France, with radar cameras covered in paint or black tape to stop them working. But the extent of the damage - now believed to affect more than half of all 3,200 speed cameras in the country's network - was unknown until Mr Castaner's statement on Thursday.
He said the devices had been “neutralized, attacked, or destroyed” by members of the protest movement. The yellow vests movement, or gilets jaunes in French, is named after the high-visibility vests that every driver in the country must keep in their vehicle.
Speed limits in France were already controversial after the government lowered the limit on many main roads from 90km/h to 80 (50mph) early last year.
Protesters angry about the increase in fuel taxes complained of the rising costs of a commute for those priced out of living in urban centers - and turned their ire on other costs such as toll roads and speed cameras.
While the number of people attending weekend protests has dropped since the government made some small concessions, the conflict between the popular movement and the government remains a daily topic of debate in France.
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Read all comments“Some protesters feel speed cameras are solely a revenue-generating measure which takes money from the poor.”
Jan 14th, 2019 - 06:51 pm +1But of course they are....the speed camera network has absolutely nothing to do with safety, speeding cars ...or accidents.
But I'm baffled ....do only the “poor” speed ?....must be because someone rich is holding a gun to their heads and telling them to ‘step on the gas’…
Irony of it is that the funds to fix the system will come from the pockets of many of these ‘yellow vest’ vandals, which will be the reason for further protests....not to mention the protests when a family member of one of these 'vandals' is killed by a speeding car…due to the lack of speed cameras....
Some people never learn...
Non sire, ce n’est pas une révolte, c’est une révolution.
Jan 11th, 2019 - 12:38 pm 0No sire, it’s not a revolt; it’s a revolution.
The Duke of Rochefoucauld when Louis XVI asked him, “Is it a revolt?”
Non sire, ce n’est pas une révolte, c’est une révolution.
(No sire, it’s not a revolt; it’s a revolution.)
The Duke of Rochefoucauld when Louis XVI asked him, “Is it a revolt?”
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