A known way of curbing tailpipe emissions in large, choking cities is to have alternative driving days. Some communist governments used the method as a means of social control, but now, as of this morning, in increasingly polluted Paris, only odd-numbered cars will be allowed to drive through the French capital. On Tuesday, driving will be permitted for even-numbered ones, and so on, for the first time in the city since 1997.

In a bid to encourage the use of public transport, the authorities have made it free on weekend and today seven hundred police officers have been rolled out and will be keeping a watchful eye on the traffic in order to enforce the curfew. Drivers found to be driving with the wrong plates will be fined €22.

However, Parisians argue that the move comes too late, as the brunt of the pollution spike has passed, and it was receding anyway; they say that if something ought to have been done, it should have been done by now. Many will apparently be choosing to ignore the restriction, feeling it is somewhat of a violation of their freedom.

Exemption from the ban applies to EVs, hybrids, buses, emergency service vehicles and taxis. Drivers will also be spared a fine if, regardless of what plates they sport, they are carrying at least three people.

By Andrei Nedelea

Video & screenshot via AFP

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