Joana Plan: road safety, screening and support for professionals

Last updated: April 30, 2025 — Official sources: Ministry of the Interior · Press kit (PDF)

Context, figures and objectives

The Joana Plan , presented on April 30, 2025, by Ministers Philippe Tabarot (Transport) and François-Noël Buffet (Interior), follows the tragedy in Châteaudun (January 30, 2025) that claimed the life of a high school student: the school bus driver tested positive for cannabis. The objective: zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol on school buses, through a comprehensive strategy of screening, prevention, training, equipment, and sanctions .

• Every day, nearly 2 million students use school transport; more than 30,000 drivers are involved.
• Post-tragedy checks : in February 2025 , ~30,000 checks → 63 alcohol-related (0.22%) and 119 positive for drugs (0.43%) ; in March 2025 , >6,000 checks → 14 alcohol-related (0.21%) and 26 positive (0.44%).
• Major risk : failure to wear seat belts among young people and driving under the influence of drugs; road fatalities related to driving under the influence remain high.

The 16 official measures (5 areas)

Axis 1 — Awareness, prevention and screening

1. 1 random screening per year and per school/public transport driver.
2. Mandatory screening during medical visits (renewal of heavy goods vehicle licence: every 5 years).
3. A module on “addictive behaviors” is integrated into the initial and continuing training of drivers.
4. Workplace prevention plans : screening upon hiring and enhanced information.

Axis 2 — Vehicle Safety

5. Stupotest immobilizer : mandatory deployment in all new school vehicles within 4 years .

Axis 3 — Involving and empowering users

6. Reporting number visible on board to alert on risky behavior.
7. National campaign : wearing seat belts and safety signage on the back of seats.

Axis 4 — Sanctions (criminal & administrative)

8. Creation of the offence of road homicide : 7 years in prison and a €100,000 fine (driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs).
9. Creation of the offence of road injury : 3 years and €45,000 .
10. Increased penalties : up to 3 years and €9,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
11. Systematic administrative suspension of the license after detection of drug use.
12. Suspension of up to 2 years for professional drivers (passenger transport).
13. Loss of 9 points in case of combined alcohol + drugs.

Axis 5 — Control Capabilities & New Detection Systems

14. Study of a “stupometer” : an electronic measuring device that can be used in opposition to a breathalyzer.
15. Ketamine is added to the molecules detected by regulatory saliva tests.
16. Study of nitrous oxide detection.

Impacts for employers & drivers

• Carriers & subcontractors : annual screening plan, internal procedures, training, traceability (audits).
• Local authorities & transport authorities : strengthened clauses in public contracts, compliance checks, monitoring of indicators.
• Drivers : ongoing training, random/unannounced screenings, strict adherence to seatbelt use for passengers.
• Manufacturers : integration of the anti-start stupotest and safety devices (vigilance detection, rapid evacuation) according to the European timetable.

Legal references & compliance

• Order of 13 December 2016 : sets out the official procedures for saliva screenings (Highway Code).
• Council of State No. 394178 (05/12/2016) : validates the use of saliva tests in companies within the disciplinary framework, under conditions (proportionality, information, reliability, confirmation in lab).
• Plan Joana (30/04/2025) : adds ketamine to the substances sought and frames the above measures.

AMA Prevention support (turnkey solution)

A recognized player in prevention, screening and safety , AMA Prévention supports transport companies, local authorities, transport organizing authorities and establishments for full compliance:

• Drugdiag® screening kits (saliva/urine) — CE certified , ISO 13485 , manufactured in France in accordance with the Joana Plan.
• Legal compliance : application of Council of State decision no. 394178 and decree of 13/12/2016 in your internal procedures.
• Training (drivers, supervisors, safety officers): prevention of addictive behaviors, management of controls, responsible driving.
• Procedures & traceability : internal policy, control schedule, indicator matrices, annual audit, reports.
• Quality references : Used by the French Armed Forces (UAF) , partnership with Toda Pharma (French No. 1 in rapid diagnostic testing), Alsace Label .

Discover our offers: Professional & association services — Request a quote

FAQ — Joana Plan & Support

1) Is random screening mandatory?

Yes. At least one random test per year per driver, plus screening during medical examinations for renewal of heavy goods vehicle licences (every 5 years).

2) What substances need to be detected?

The Joana Plan provides for the addition of ketamine to regulatory saliva tests; our Drugdiag® solutions cover these substances.

3) What are the new sanctions?

Creation of road homicide (up to 7 years/€100,000) and road injuries (up to 3 years/€45,000), increased penalties (up to 3 years/€9,000), systematic suspension of driving licence, and up to 2 years for professionals; 9 points in case of alcohol + drugs.

4) What does the “vehicles” axis impose?

The installation of an anti-start stupor test in all new school transport vehicles within 4 years , in addition to other safety devices (vigilance detection, rapid evacuation) according to the European timetable.

5) Do you offer customized support?

Yes: initial audit, personalized prevention plan, deployment of controls, training and annual audit with reporting.

Official sources

• Ministry of the Interior — Press Kit , 30/04/2025: Official page · PDF
• Regions of France — FNTV Charter / Regions , 30/04/2025: press release
• Transbus — Sixteen measures to improve the safety of school transport , 30/04/2025: article
• ONISR — 2023 Road Safety Report , 31/05/2024: page · PDF
• Legifrance — Decree of 13 December 2016 (procedures for saliva screening): consolidated text
• Council of State — Decision No. 394178 (05/12/2016) : full text