Paris imposes travel restriction for third day to combat air pollution

PARIS, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Officials in Paris have banned cars with odd-numbered registration plates from driving in the region on Thursday in the city's third day of measures to reduce air pollution.

In attempts to combat the city's worst winter pollution in a decade, Paris officials began tackling the issue on Tuesday by making public transportation free and by allowing only even-numbered registration plate vehicles to drive in the city and its suburbs. On Wednesday, only odd-numbered plates were allowed on the road.

Paris has not imposed travel restriction measures for three days in a row in 20 years. Drivers face fines of up to $80 if they ignore the measure.

Airparif, Paris' air pollution monitoring authority, said a reduction in car emissions was limited to about 10 percent because not enough drivers respected the ban.

Parisians are allowed free use of the city's bike-share program, electric car program, and metro and bus services in the meantime.

Critics have called for the measures to be removed because of problems facing the Paris transportation system -- particularly electrical issues that have caused serious delays.

"There have been big problems," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. "It's the region's responsibility to sort it out. I urge the president of the region to dedicate himself to this task instead of always debating other issues".

The Paris region is being affected by a high concentration of toxic particles partly due to low winds and high pressure that are keeping carbon emissions close to the ground.