It appears that the ecologically conscious Minister has set a particularly bad example, after Wargon was caught in flagrante delicto on Thursday, February 21. The authorized speed had already been lowered to 110 km/h due to “a spike in pollution”, reported Ouest France.
The Secretary of State was returning from Cambrai, where she had been touring a GrdF center, which is part of the French gas distribution network. The car of the former Director of Communications of food giant Danone, was flashed at 150 km/h, or 40 km/h above the authorized limit.
The speed limit “was indicated roughly on all signs and repeated in a loop on the radio station, 107.7,” said one of the police officers present on this stretch of road. “Only law enforcement and rescue vehicles are not affected by this measure,” he added.
When contacted by Le Parisien, a counselor tried to explain that “the urgency of the agenda” was at the root of the speeding , while acknowledging that “it does not excuse” this offense.
“We did not notice having been flashed but it corresponds to the speed at which we drove,” admitted the cabinet of the Secretary of State, before pleading an “error” .
In any case, Emmanuelle Wargon can not argue that she did not know about it since these speed limits are set by prefects, according to specific criteria. The Secretary of State should, therefore, be even more aware of these speeding limitations. She has promised to pay the fine of 135 euros.
Already in 2015, Edouard Philippe, then Republican deputy, had already been flashed at 150 km/h instead of 110, recalled Le Parisien. His vehicle was confiscated and he was suspended for two months at the time. He also paid a hefty fine and incurred a loss of points.