FRANCE INFO, LE FIGARO (France)

Worldcrunch

MARSEILLE - On the small island of Porquerolles on the French Riviera, the police have turned a blind eye to helmetless motorcyclists, reports Le Figaro.

The person to blame is … the local prefect. Paul Mourier, the State's representative in the Var department in Southern France, was repeatedly spotted breaking the law on his scooter while on holiday on the island.

Angry locals -- who receive fines up to 135 euros for riding without wearing motorcycle helmets -- have rushed to the nearest police station to complain, as they judged the situation extremely unfair.

“It is a real issue,” local police secretary Jean-Bernard Soriano told France Info.

“It is difficult for us police forces to give the average joe a fine and then turn a blind eye toa local official who does not respect the law,” he added.

As a response, the local police have decided to be more lenient with local outlaws.

“It is better not to enforce the law than create an equality gap between people and their representatives,” he said.

It is all the more unfair for the locals that Paul Mourier had made road safety issues his priority earlier this year, explains Le Figaro.