Paris alternates traffic, encourages use of public transport to reduce choking smog levels

Police officers check a motorcycle arriving in Paris, France, Monday, March 23, 2015. Paris authorities have put in place 24-hour emergency measures to limit traffic after record levels of pollution in the French capital.(AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

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Police officers check a cars arriving in Paris, France, Monday, March 23, 2015. Paris authorities have put in place 24-hour emergency measures to limit traffic after record levels of pollution in the French capital. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

A police officer directs the traffic for cars next to a pollution monitor in Paris, France, Monday, March 23, 2015. Paris authorities have put in place 24-hour emergency measures to limit traffic after record levels of pollution in the French capital. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

PARIS – Paris authorities have put in place 24-hour emergency measures to limit traffic after record levels of pollution in the French capital.

On Monday, all cars with number plates that end with an even number will be banned from circulating in the Paris region.

A decision on whether to extend the ban will be announced in the course of the day.

Public transportation has also been free over the weekend, and this is continuing Monday in a bid to encourage drivers away from their cars.

But some Parisian residents believe that taxpayers' money would be better spent seeking out innovative solutions and developing cars that pollute less.

Similar measures were implemented just over a year ago on March 17, when smog also reached dangerous levels.