France: Van owner summoned to court for mimicking Gendarmerie vehicle

A private Mercedes Benz V-Class in La Croix Valmer, Var, has been summoned to court after its appearance closely mimicked an official Gendarmerie vehicle. The van featured a dark blue body with horizontal white stripes, yellow and red retro-reflective strips, and the text ‘URGENCE ASSISTANCE ROUTIÈRE’. It was also equipped with white and red flashing lights on the grille.

Following a check by the Gendarmerie, the vehicle was administratively immobilized. Investigators from the Gassin Saint Tropez motorized brigade interviewed the legal representative of the company that owns the vehicle. The Regional Directorate for Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL) has also been notified. The case is being handled under the supervision of the public prosecutor in Draguignan, with a court appearance scheduled for September.