The Prefect of Vaucluse, in coordination with the Prefect of Gard, has organized the implementation of differentiated traffic and a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to strengthen the emergency response system in case of ambient air pollution episodes.
This measure aims to protect the health of the population and to implement restrictions to improve air quality. The prefects reiterate their commitment to focus on increasingly eco-sustainable mobility that can enhance air quality by reducing the environmental impact of exhaust gases from the most polluting vehicles. Car exhaust gases indeed contribute to increased emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, exacerbating the greenhouse effect problem, which prevents heat dispersion and leads to dangerously rising temperatures.
The impact that pollutants have on the environment is extremely harmful to human health; moreover, they severely compromise the overall development of the ecosystem. Air pollution is one of the main issues increasingly affecting the population due to the numerous damages it causes to the environment. It is a constantly evolving problem, to the extent that authorities are obliged to take measures to try to raise public awareness and limit the effects of air pollution. According to the new anti-pollution measures, traffic restrictions have been implemented, particularly in 20 municipalities in Vaucluse, Gard, and Bouches-du-Rhône. If you want to know more [click here to find out the affected municipalities](https://www.immat-facile.fr/2022/05/20/le-vaucluse-interdit-aux-vehicules-porteurs-de-vignettes-critair-4-et-5-de-circuler-lors-episodes-de-pollution/).
The Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are easily identifiable by road signs. To drive in the LEZ environmental zones established by the municipalities, an Air Quality Certificate is required, which is assigned to 6 categories. The start and end of the environmental zones are indicated by signs. To drive in these regulated zones, vehicles must be equipped with special stickers. Only vehicles with Crit’Air stickers of electric or hydrogen class, 1, 2, and 3, as well as heavy goods vehicles with the same characteristics, will be allowed to circulate within the perimeter. However, vehicles and heavy goods vehicles with Crit’Air 4 and 5 stickers will not be allowed to circulate in the designated zones. The traffic restriction will not affect the sections of the A7 and A9 motorways that pass through the area of interest, nor the roads that provide access to city parking lots.
