British expats and tourists could be slapped with heavy fines while travelling in Europe this year after the introduction of new high-tech camera tools.
Motorists could be caught out in France if they break the rules and use a popular car share lane when travelling alone.
The A1 motorway in France, a long road connecting Paris to Lille, has a special sharing lane to encourage commuters to all use one car.
The scheme runs between 6:30am and 9am and helps to drastically cut travel times for those looking to carpool.
Those driving zero-emissions vehicles can also take advantage of the extra lane, as can taxis and emergency service vehicles.
However, new camera technology will crackdown on those who use the roads for their own personal gain.
New tools will make sure offenders are issued severe penalties in what could be a massive blow for those unaware of the scheme.
It is understood cameras will be fitted with thermal imaging software to determine how many people are inside each car.
Frederic Dubus, commander of the CRS Autoroute Nord-Pas-de-Calais to France Bleu revealed a two-month grace period on charges had now expired.
He explained: “But to know whether this experiment is working, with a real effect on traffic, and to adapt it if necessary, the rules have to be enforced.”
Mr Dubus added: “We’ll be able to get the number plate, and with heat detection we’ll be able to check how many people are in the vehicle.
“So the guy who thinks he’s clever by putting a doll next to him in the passenger seat won’t get through, because the camera will detect that he’s alone.”
In just one week, police officers in France had picked up 50 motorists breaking the rule every day.
Those caught out will be slapped with a €135 (£116) fine in a costly blow for breaking the simple law.
However, charges can be reduced to just €90 (£77) if the bill is paid within two weeks.
Last year, a consultation was launched looking into the introduction of car-sharing lanes across several key routes in France.
It could see lanes installed across other key routes such as the A4, A13, A14, A86 and the Paris périphérique.
Some of these roads will be used as special Olympic lanes reserved for athletes, media and accredited vehicles ahead of the 2024 Paris Games.
However, proposals suggest these lanes would not be converted back after the summer sporting event with routes then dedicated to those willing to carshare.
