Truckers in France protest high fuel prices

The banner at right says "French truckers in danger of death in the face of competition, equality of opportunity."

The Associated Press

7/1/2008

PARIS — Truck drivers protesting soaring fuel prices have slowed highway traffic outside Paris and other French cities.

Labor union officials said 40 protests nationwide are designed to win reductions in fuel taxes and other government measures to offset rising world fuel prices.

France's traffic information center said truckers who were driving at a snail's pace brought highway traffic to a near-standstill on highways around the French capital.

Protesters also blockaded highways in the southeastern Rhone-Alpes region and in other parts of eastern France.

The protests Monday were a continuation of weeks of protests over high fuel prices.

France takes over the presidency of the 27-nation European Union today as the EU faces slowing growth, rising inflation and soaring fuel prices.