Over 26 new measures have been introduced, covering drink driving, use of mobile phones while driving and parking near pedestrian crossings.

The changes follow an increase of 3.7% in road deaths in 2014 – marking the first increase in 12 years – announced by French Minister of the interior Bernard Cazeneuve. 

The changes include plans to cut the speed limit on some single-lane roads from the current 90km/h to 80km/h, though that measure had already been put forward last year.

The government also said headphones connected to mobile phones would no longer be legal – however wireless headsets would still be permitted. 

Meanwhile the minister also announced a reduced drink drive limit for new drivers, particularly aimed at 18 to 24 year olds.

And parking within five metres of a pedestrian crossing is now illegal and has been implemented to “improve visibility between pedestrians and drivers”, said Bernard Cazeneuve.

Meanwhile the accompanied driving age is to be lowered from the age of 16 to 15 while the driving test can now be taken at 17 instead of 18.