Drivers in Paris have found themselves pulled over to see whether they comply with a new traffic restriction scheme using colour-coded stickers in an attempt to improve air quality.<br /><br /> The system requires all cars to have a sticker indicating their age and pollution level.<br /><br /> They can be ordered online. The idea is: the less polluting, the more freedom to travel. <br /><br /> On the first day the police have taken a lenient line.<br /><br /> “I didn’t know about this new scheme. So I’ve just discovered it, I know I need to buy a sticker, but in any case I’m allowed to drive today with my car so I’m fine today, but I didn’t know about this,” said one woman who was stopped.<br /><br /> Monday saw vehicles with a “Level 5” sticker banned from Paris roads: those with diesel engines from 1997 to 2000.<br /><br /> It’s hoped the system will be more effective than previous methods.<br /><br /> “Alternate circulation targets even and odd number plates without targeting their polluting capacity. So when we target most polluting vehicles, we have more chances to have a positive impact on pollution,” said Charlotte Songeur, an engineer at “Airparif”.<br /><br /> On the same day the French capital unveiled the first self-driving shuttlebus to take passengers on a regular line between two stations.<br /><br /> All this comes as several areas of France have been affected by high levels of harmful particles emitted from cars which have been blamed for health irritations, especially among Parisians.<br />
