Smog-strangled Paris forces half of all cars off the road

A dangerous air-pollution spike that has left Paris and much of northern France covered in a thick cloud of toxic smog prompted French authorities to cut the city's traffic in half, starting next week.

The emergency measure will allow cars with license plates ending in odd numbers to drive on odd-numbered days and vice versa, according to French newspaper Le Monde . The restrictions do not apply to taxis, hybrid or electric cars, and vehicles carrying more than three people.

See also: London landmarks disappear as unhealthy air pollution spikes in UK

Earlier this week, Paris cut down speed limits to about 12 miles per hour, according to The Guardian, and made all public transportation free in a bid to discourage Parisians from driving. Read more...

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