Specials DIVERSITY EMPLOYERS MAGAZINE Spring 2011 - Anniversary Commemorative Issue

France: Female Driver Fined For Wearing Islamic Face Veil

PARIS (AP) - A lawyer says 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.

Lawyer Jean-Michel Pollono says traffic police in the western city of Nantes fined his client euro22 ($29) in early April. The fine was based on a rule that says drivers should have "freedom of movement and a sufficient field of vision."

Pollono said Friday on France-Info radio that he is protesting the decision, saying a veil is "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.

AP-ES-04-23-10 0526EDT