United Four Wheel Drive Associations
An International Organization

Category: Press Releases
Date: Oct 11 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4x4 VEHICLES TARGETED BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT

The French 4x4 Federation has reported the French government is considering adopting a rule that would prohibit 4x4 vehicles from cities in France as well as limitations restricting 4x4 travel to routes or paths that can accommodate a standard two wheel drive vehicle.

As a gesture of opposition, a majority of French and some German 4x4 related web sites will close on October 24-25. A recap (in French) of the on going actions is available here: http://www.forum4x4.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36724

Four wheel drive vehicles have become a symbol to target. While French officials would like to ban 4x4s from cities, they are faced with the question of how to identify a 4x4. The proposed policy is to make any travel unlawful unless the route can be traveled by a two wheel drive vehicle. The effort is clearly to create a situation where 4x4 vehicles will only be allowed on paved routes or specific private areas outside of cities. The expectation is 4x4 vehicle owners would consequently give up, given the nonsense of owning vehicles with severe operating restrictions.

Loss of ability to travel routes beyond the capability of a two wheel drive vehicle is likely to affect tourism and commerce built up around the use of 4x4 vehicles, with significant economic impacts. From an economical standpoint, 4x4 products represent a large number of jobs in tourism. The French authorities believe that restricting 4x4's will not affect their auto manufacturers, as the three major French auto makers do not produce 4x4 vehicles. The French 4x4 market is supported by British, German, United States, and Japan manufactures.

There are increasing levels of restriction on 4x4 use in many countries with the likely introduction of a permit system in both South Africa and New Zealand in the near future. The South African scheme will probably involve public land and some private lands but in New Zealand, it will only cover public land. Roads in New Zealand have a right of passage that is set in law so it is difficult to ban vehicle types, although not impossible.

The regulation of 4x4s on roads or in cities is difficult as many "cars" are 4x4 today.


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United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) is the leading representative for four wheel drive enthusiasts. UFWDA is a group of individuals, clubs, state, regional, provincial and national associations and businesses in the United States and around the world; our members span the globe from the U.S. and Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, Japan, South Africa, and Iceland. If you would like more information on how you can be a part of this effort contact United Four Wheel Drive Associations today at 14525 SW Millikan Way #22622, Beaverton, OR 97005-2343, 1-800-448-3932 or visit www.ufwda.org.

Contact: John Stewart
Director of Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations
619-390-8747 or E-mail: landuse@ufwda.org