The authorities of Haute-Savoie are actively looking for the organizers of these unauthorized gatherings which required a substantial retention system.
At least 250 vehicles registered in Switzerland and France illegally converged on two sites in the municipalities of Annecy and Epagny Metz-Tessy. (illustrative photo)
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The bitumen heated up on April 29 between Switzerland and Haute-Savoie before the illicit convoys met in the towns of Annecy and Epagny Metz-Tessy. In the evening, at least 250 vehicles registered in Switzerland and France converged on two sites. Some 500 people participated in wild car rodeos. Alerted by these gatherings around 10:30 p.m., the national gendarmerie and the French police had to deploy an important device, as explained by the departmental prefecture which denounces this affair. The security forces prevented any degradation, violent behavior and accident.
The prefecture condemns
“These rodeos were conducted in defiance of all rules of prudence and the tranquility of the neighborhood. We can only strongly condemn this type of gathering that is dangerous for road and public safety as well as without any respect for local residents, explains the authorities, The internal security forces will remain particularly vigilant and mobilized to anticipate and dissuade new gatherings, repress them and punish them in the event of repetition.
Tense checks and withdrawals
“The patrols that intervened on the spot had to work in a sometimes very tense context, the primary goal being to avoid any escalation of violence,” says one of the interveners on the spot. In the end, 60 participants were fined up to 750 euros. Three vehicles were seized. Their drivers had their licenses withdrawn on the spot and will be prosecuted by criminal justice for motorized rodeo. Three others tested positive for alcohol and narcotics. Three others will have to answer for qualified speeding.
Jail closed
In France, since 2018, with the proliferation of this kind of activity, the law has evolved. Urban rodeo is now an offense punishable by one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros. For the organizers, it is double: 2 years of custodial sentence and 30,000 euros of financial penalty. Finally, if we combine with drug or alcohol consumption, the perpetrators incur three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros.