Water management and road safety

Anyone who has the right to channel water into roadside ditches is responsible for maintaining them. They must keep them in good condition to prevent damage to the road. If they fail to do so, the road authority may intervene and charge the costs to them.

Those who cross a road with watercourses or pipelines must build and maintain the necessary structures, such as bridges or conduits. These must comply with technical requirements set by the road authority and be carried out under its supervision. Additional works upstream and downstream may also be required to prevent damage to the road.

Irrigation of land adjacent to the road must be managed carefully: water must not flow onto the roadway or cross it. This is to avoid damage to the road surface and dangers for traffic, such as reduced grip.

If responsible parties fail to comply, the road authority may order them to carry out the required works. If they do not comply, the authority may carry out the works itself and charge the costs to them. In some cases, the prefect may also intervene.

Anyone violating these rules is subject to an administrative fine. For the theory exam, it is essential to remember that proper water management near roads is the responsibility of those involved, and any water on the roadway is a safety hazard.