2023-08-02 07:45:00
Fatal motorway accidents increased by 43% in 2022, with 188 killed, mainly young drivers (under 35) heavily drunk or under the influence of narcotics, according to industry data published on Wednesday.
In the midst of the summer vacation crossover, the Association of French Motorway Companies (Asfa), which publishes this annual report, is alarmed by a substantial increase in the number of fatalities on the motorway network: in 2022, there were 188 people killed, compared to 131 in 2021.
1,654 personal injury accidents – including 167 fatalities – occurred in 2022 on the French motorway network, i.e. 134 more than in 2021 (1,520 including 119 fatalities).
“The alcohol, drugs, medication factor is rising sharply, (…) some of the users are openly taking more risks. It causes more victims, these are unacceptable behaviors”, deplores the general delegate of the ‘Asfa, Christophe Boutin.
This factor is present in 26.3% of fatal accidents and almost one out of two drivers involved in these is under 35 years old. The blood alcohol level of the drivers involved is on average 1.4 g/l of blood (the authorized level while driving is 0.5 g/l of blood, i.e. 2 glasses).
In addition to alcohol consumption, the report underlines that accidents involving pedestrians (people getting out of a damaged or broken down vehicle and being mowed down) have doubled, to reach 40 killed (22.2% of accidents in 2022 against 11.8% in 2021).
Excessive speed remains a constant factor (around 18%), while drowsiness and fatigue have regressed (15.6% in 2022 compared to 19.3% in 2021).
Inattention – looking at screens in your car or truck – is on the rise. In 2022, it was involved in 28 fatal accidents (15 in 2021).
“It still affects the youngest and with the growing sophistication of equipment, we will have more and more people who consult their telephones instead of looking at the road”, worries the general delegate of Asfa.
Last year, 169 accidents involved highway personnel or equipment, or one every two days. Four officers were killed, two of them by a careless driver.
However, the motorway remains the most secure route in France, recalls Asfa, which brings together the private concessionaires managing the 9,180 kilometers of toll motorways.
In France, approximately 100 billion kilometers are traveled on the motorway networks each year, and more than 90% of French people use them at least once a year.
Asfa’s annual safety reviews are carried out with the assistance of Cerema (Centre for studies and expertise on risks, the environment, mobility and development), a public institution.
02/08/2023 07:44:39 – Paris (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
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