Road accident deaths in France shot up by almost 4% final year, hitting a total of close to 3,400. And the French government is determined to prevent them going up again in 2015.
To that end, it has introduced a raft of measures created to cease folks placing lives in danger by drink driving and making use of their mobile phones at the wheel – anything you’ll want to be conscious of if you are driving on French roads this year.
As properly as lowering the legal alcohol limit for young drivers, the new regime bans the use of hands-cost-free kits utilized by drivers to make calls at the wheel and lowers the age at which teenagers can start driving below supervision.
France – a dangerous place to drive
The number of men and women who died on French roads in 2014 rose 3.7% year-on-year to a depressingly high 3,388.
Evaluate that to the 1,713 people killed on UK roads in 2013 (the newest year for which statistics are offered). France has a slightly larger population (66 million) than the UK (64 million) but it’s a larger landmass with more roads, so you’d feel the number of fatalities would be on a par.
But perhaps the most telling statistic is that UK fatalities in 2013 in fact fell by 2.3%, and the lengthy term trend in the UK is downwards. Apart from 2011, deaths have fallen in quantity every year because 2004.
So why this evident French malaise.
Drinking dilemma
Maybe it plays to national stereotypes, but it turns out that alcohol-related accidents came out as the number one killer in France.
And as a person who has spent years living in France, that doesn’t come as a excellent surprise to me. French individuals have a rather various attitude to us Brits when it comes to drink-driving.
Whilst obtaining behind the wheel when you are tipsy right here is quick becoming a deep social taboo, it’s broadly accepted in France – or at least it is in the rural areas exactly where I have spent most of my time.
That is why I welcome efforts to crack down on drink driving. And I reckon the most effective way to avoid alcohol-associated road deaths, at least in rural locations, would be to invest in greater public transport or locate a way of lowering the often astronomical cost of a taxi ride.
How the government is tackling the problem
In February, Bernard Cazeneuve, the French Interior Minister, announced specifics of no fewer than 26 measures developed to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities by 2020:
- Zero tolerance on alcohol for young drivers
The legal alcohol limit is being slashed from .5mg/ml to .2mg/ml for young drivers, which means even 1 half pint – the ubiquitous French “demi” – will push them over.
- Breathalysers in late-evening off licences
Shops promoting alcohol among 2am and 7am have to provide customers breathalysers or face penalties and potential closure.
- Earphones and headsets no longer permitted
The use of all kinds of earphones, headsets and hands-totally free kits “that limit the attention of drivers” is getting banned for those in the driving seat.
- Much more “double-face” speed cameras
Although the quantity of speed cameras in France – 4,150 – is not set to rise, there will be a lot more “double-faced” speed cameras that can snare drivers travelling in both directions.
- Tinted windows to be banned
Only tinted windscreens are forbidden at the moment, but Cazeneuve intends to extend this ban to cover all automobile windows in the coming years.
- Far more space around pedestrian crossings
Only mopeds and motorbikes will be allowed to park inside 5 metres of pedestrian crossings.
- Younger drivers on the roads
French teenagers as young as 15 will be capable to drive beneath supervision beneath the new guidelines.
To France?
If you’re driving to France this year, make positive you verify what’s needed and expected of you just before you set off.
Pay distinct consideration to setting your headlights correctly and carrying the correct equipment in case of an accident. You need to also carry an authorized breathalyzer.
Complete information can be identified in this 2-element post.
Driving in France? Regardez bien!
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