Driver wearing Islamic face veil fined in France

A woman driving her car while wearing an Islamic face veil has been fined by French police for not having a clear field of vision, her lawyer said.

Published: 5:09PM BST 23 Apr 2010

Jean-Michel Pollono said traffic police in the western city of Nantes fined his client €22 (£19) in early April. The fine was based on a rule that says drivers should have "freedom of movement and a sufficient field of vision."

Mr Pollono said on Friday on France-Info radio that he was protesting the decision, which he claimed said a veil was "the same as a motorcycle helmet" in terms of hindrance to vision.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has ordered a law drafted that would ban veils that cover the face and body anywhere in public. Such veils are very rare in France.

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7624054/Driver-wearing-Islamic-face-veil-fined-in-France.html