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Fighting Pollution, Paris Imposes Partial Driving Ban Fighting Pollution, Paris Imposes Partial Driving Ban
(about 2 hours later)
PARIS — With pollution in and around Paris still unusually high, the government imposed a partial driving ban in the capital on Monday for the first time in nearly 20 years, and public transportation was free for a fourth consecutive day. PARIS — With air pollution in and around Paris still unusually high, the government imposed a partial driving ban here on Monday for the first time in nearly 20 years, and public transportation was free for a fourth consecutive day.
Seven hundred police officers were deployed throughout the city, France’s capital, the authorities said, to stop and fine the drivers of vehicles with even-numbered license plates. Electric and hybrid vehicles were exempted, as were cars with three or more passengers, the cars of public transport employees and those with foreign plates. Cars with even-numbered license plates were allowed to park free.Seven hundred police officers were deployed throughout the city, France’s capital, the authorities said, to stop and fine the drivers of vehicles with even-numbered license plates. Electric and hybrid vehicles were exempted, as were cars with three or more passengers, the cars of public transport employees and those with foreign plates. Cars with even-numbered license plates were allowed to park free.
Drivers with odd-numbered plates were doubly lucky on Monday: Not only were they authorized to drive but also traffic jams in and around the city were reduced by as much as 60 percent, the police and government officials said.Drivers with odd-numbered plates were doubly lucky on Monday: Not only were they authorized to drive but also traffic jams in and around the city were reduced by as much as 60 percent, the police and government officials said.
If the measure is extended Tuesday, vehicles with odd-numbered plates will be banned.
Speed limits around Paris have already been reduced by 20 kilometers, or about 12 miles, per hour, and heavy trucks are being diverted from the region. Regional trains, the Paris subway and bus system, the Vélib’ bike-sharing program and Autolib’ car-sharing service have been free.Speed limits around Paris have already been reduced by 20 kilometers, or about 12 miles, per hour, and heavy trucks are being diverted from the region. Regional trains, the Paris subway and bus system, the Vélib’ bike-sharing program and Autolib’ car-sharing service have been free.
Pollution levels, especially of the particulate matter that is partly attributable to vehicle emissions, appear to be dropping after a high late last week. With unseasonably warm days, cool nights and little wind, pollutants have settled in high concentrations over Paris and about 30 other French cities, especially in northern France. Pollution levels, especially of the particulate matter that is partly attributable to vehicle emissions, appear to be dropping after a high late last week. The French ecology minister, Philippe Martin, announced Monday afternoon that the ban would end at midnight, at which point public transportation would no longer be free. The regional government has lost 4 million euros, or $5.6 million, in transportation revenue for each day of free rides, according to Jean-Paul Huchon, president of the regional council.
Particulate matter known as PM 10, or particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter, which can cause respiratory problems and general discomfort when inhaled, reached a level of about 140 micrograms per cubic meter last week, according to French and European measurements, well above the official alert level of 80. Hospital visits have risen noticeably in and around this city in recent days, especially for young children, the French health minister, Marisol Touraine, told RTL radio on Monday morning. By then, particulate matter had fallen below the alert level, according to Airparif, which monitors air quality in Paris. Pollution levels were expected to fall to near-average levels on Tuesday, Mr. Martin said. With unseasonably warm days, cool nights and little wind, pollutants had settled in high concentrations over Paris and about 30 other French cities, especially in northern France.
The PM 10 level on an average day in Paris has been about 25 in recent years. By comparison, PM 10 readings in Beijing generally hover around 120, with peaks of more than 750, according to measurements by the American Embassy there. Particulate matter known as PM 10, or particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter, which can cause respiratory problems and general discomfort when inhaled, reached a concentration of about 140 micrograms per cubic meter of air last week, according to French and European measurements, well above the official alert level of 80. Hospital visits have risen noticeably in and around this city in recent days, especially for young children, the French health minister, Marisol Touraine, told RTL radio on Monday morning. By then, particulate matter had fallen below the alert level, according to Airparif, which monitors air quality in Paris.
Paris officials last imposed a partial driving ban for one day in 1997. Whether the measure had any noticeable effect on pollution levels remains a matter of dispute. But as of 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 3,000 drivers of even-numbered cars had already been stopped for defying the ban, the police said. The PM 10 concentration on an average day in Paris has been about 30 micrograms per cubic meter in recent years. By comparison, PM 10 readings in Beijing generally hover around 120, with peaks of more than 750, according to measurements by the American Embassy there.
Paris last imposed a partial driving ban for one day in 1997. Whether the measure had any noticeable effect on pollution levels remains a matter of dispute. But as of 10:30 a.m. Monday, 3,000 drivers of even-numbered cars had already been stopped for defying the ban, the police said.