If you drive between the municipalities of Montmaro (Allier) and Diguan (Saône-et-Loire) tomorrow, you will have the chance to inaugurate a brand new device. No more toll gates, highway A79 now equipped so-called “free flow” portals.. To avoid unpleasant surprises, e.g fines for default, here’s what you need to know about this new concept. Because yes, if it’s a barrier-free accessit’s still a fee…

Several payment methods

To pay duty, different options available to motorists.

To begin with, let’s talk about the most famous of all systems: the electronic payment badge. In this case, the write-off is carried out automatically. In other words, with a Liber-T icon or a RFID tagpayment for immediate.

Another solution is this register in advance on the freeway website. There are several options available to you here. Or record your number plate and bank details adjusting each pass economically.

Finally, the last solution is this go to each terminal installed at rest areas located on the corresponding section of the highway. In this way, the payment can be made Bank card Where in cash.

Pierre Modeputy manager of customer service Paris-Rhine-Rhone motorways (APRR), defines: ” The customer has 72 hours to pay for their trip. » We remind you that failure to pay duty puts you at risk a fine of 90 eurosincreased to 375 euros without payment within sixty days.

Fee for barrier-free travel: how does “free flow” work?

Specifically, the goal they are aiming for barrier-free or “free” meetings is with limit the risk of congestion around the toll gate. So the idea is more or less similar to current electronic tolling, is to drive through without stopping or even slowing down.

In practice, motorists pass under the gate, equipped with sensors and three cameras for the direction of travel. A kind of device that resembles those deployed to manage celebrities eco tax heavyweights

APPR emphasizes that: The dealer is interested in the vehicle itself, as well as its license plate. » Understand that these cameras will not be used as cloaking radars that could verbify in case excessive speed.

Really a new system?

If such barrier-freeness may seem unprecedented on paper, the reality is completely different. Indeed, since 2019 SANEF (Company of Motorways of Northern and Eastern France) created this free toll system in Boulay Toll (Moselle)on the track A4. Despite some post-launch issues, ” the system has demonstrated its reliability and clients have familiarized themselves with this new payment system”provides Arno KemarCEO of SANEF.

To the extent that other French motorways must follow suit. This is especially true A13 freeway which should switch to a free flow in the following years, between mid-2024 and mid-2025. L’A40 highway in Haute-Savoie and future A69 between Toulouse and Castro is also part of the project. Barrier-free travel, which eventually should become the norm for all future highways under construction.