In 2025, the ephemeral art project “ALIVE,” initiated by the artist JR and the Antoine Alléno Association, will come to life on the Pont de l’Alma in Paris. Through a monumental collage of 3,000 portraits of relatives of victims of road violence, the work will offer a space for memory and contemplation. A Tour de France is currently underway to collect photographs from grieving families. A photo session was held in Nice on September 13, attended by Yannick Alléno.
On May 8, 2022, Antoine Alléno, aged 24, lost his life due to a tragic act of road violence. Devastated, his family decided to transform this pain into a force for action by creating, a few months later, the Antoine Alléno Association. Since September 2022, the association has been combating road violence. It helps victims under 25 and their families. On Friday, September 13, 2024, in Nice, the association made a stop as part of the “Alive” tribute that will take place on the Pont de l’Alma in Paris. Additionally, an important milestone will be reached on that day. The city of Nice has signed a partnership agreement to assist victims’ families. Yannick Alléno talks about his commitment and the mission of the association in an interview.
Can you tell us the origins of the creation of the Antoine Alléno Association and the reasons that drive you to get involved?
The origin is, of course, tragic. It’s the day I lost my son, May 8, 2022, due to a road homicide. He was hit by a stolen car one evening when he was quietly returning home after work on a Sunday night. Of course, it’s an incredible tragedy and then when I saw everything this tragedy caused in my family, I said to myself, “I must use my notoriety to make people aware that when such a tragedy occurs, it is absolutely necessary to come to the aid of the families of victims,” what we call co-victims. I experienced a scene of an attack when Antoine left. At the bottom of the house, I saw a pile of metal. Cars were involved in the accident. My son was lying on the ground in his blood. There were ambulances everywhere. The scene looked like that of an attack. When this happens, as in an attack, a solidarity chain is set up. A crisis unit is formed. It communicates with law enforcement and victims. In these specific cases, nothing is done. It’s an act that is not addressed. And so you find yourself afterwards with all the psychological problems and administrative violence that it represents. I said to myself, “Listen, if at least everything life has given me can serve others,” then with the family, we decided to remember Antoine, that’s important, but especially that Antoine, and everything he represented. He kind of became everyone’s child when he left, everyone realized it could happen to them. So, we decided to help others.
What are the main objectives of the Antoine Alléno Association?
The objectives are multiple. The primary objective is to help victims. People realized they were not alone. Media coverage reduces the death of a child to three lines in regional press. It is important to talk about it every day to raise awareness among everyone. Everyone must realize it could happen. Tomorrow, it could be your child, victim of a reckless driver. The association’s goal is to work on qualifying the act by creating an autonomous offense. Road homicide is a request from associations. We are not the first to demand it. However, I, Yannick Alléno, president of the association, accelerated things. My status as a globally recognized chef played a key role. Then, there is much to do. We must find ways to reduce road deaths. There is a 48% increase on the Côte d’Azur, so it’s not going to stop anytime soon. And I believe that together, by talking about it collectively, we can find solutions. Last year, there were 700 deaths under the age of 24.
How can people affected by road violence join or benefit from the association’s support?
We have created a significant structure with social assistance. Everyone is there to regulate people professionally. Thanks to the association, we can provide money for psychological support. But that’s not all. There are also advisors and lawyers available to provide good advice. Indeed, one must think of the trial after the act. A team of qualified volunteers is there to help. Éléonore Giscard d’Estaing, a lawyer specialized in bodily harm victims, and Nicole Guedj, a lawyer committed to this cause, are examples of these professionals. So, we have surrounded the co-victims with an entire network of extremely qualified people approved by the association. Because it must be said, there are quite a few charlatans trying to take advantage of the situation to take people’s money. And that, to me, is intolerable.
What are the future actions you plan to raise awareness of road violence?
We have already undertaken various actions. Today, we are working with the artist JR on a monumental work for the Pont de l’Alma in Paris. This project will involve more than 3,000 portraits. This venue will serve for contemplation but also to raise awareness about the 700 annual disappearances. It highlights societal damages. It is costly to the community. People can no longer work after losing a loved one. Surviving siblings receive little help. Children sometimes risk dropping out of school. It alarms me; immediate action is necessary, especially with this artwork. It is designed for this purpose, and I am happy to see the mobilization in Nice; it is significant. People can sign up for the project at impact@lassociationantoinealléno.fr; there is no age or time limit. I think it is important that we come together in this moment. So, we hope to stick to this target by next May.
According to you, what are the most urgent measures to take to reduce the number of road accidents?
I believe that drastically reducing speed in cities will have an effect, as accident rates in Lyon have dropped by more than 30%. And I think if we ask the mayor of Paris, it will be the same. So, I believe in extremely sensitive areas, the vehicle speed must absolutely be reduced! When approaching a school, vehicles should be required to drive at 25 kilometers per hour. So, the implementation of speed cameras or other measures—I don’t know the entire arsenal we know—is necessary to drastically reduce speed in extremely sensitive areas, and there is a lot to do. We must be creative, find unexpected, non-restrictive paths for the user because cars are a means of transport. Education is essential. Tell kids from the suburbs that doing wheelies isn’t fun. It can kill. And I think these measures are also up to all public figures, footballers, Formula 1 drivers who represent something to these young people, to stop messing around because you are going to cause irreversible damage! Your life will be affected, and so will the victims! Everyone suffers in these cases.
Does the association collaborate with other organizations or with authorities to improve road safety and prevention?
Of course, all ministries are present. We saw the incredible work of Eric Dupond-Moretti to get the road homicide law passed. For my part, I met with Madame Macron, who lost her sister in an accident. Few people know this, but she is very involved with us. Naturally, we are very close to the gendarmerie, the police, the firefighters, because they are the first responders. They also need help to do their job properly.
What are your hopes concerning the prevention of road violence?
I believe we must have a zero-target goal. We must not settle for half-measures; a zero-target goal is necessary. It exists; there are countries like England, for example, which consume more alcohol than us and have half as many road deaths. There is a European comparison to look at and see how some countries fare better than others. The Netherlands, notably; so let’s look into that closely and find solutions that will allow us to improve the situation. If I have one hope to express today, it’s zero deaths on the roads.
The city of Nice’s commitment with the Antoine Alléno Association responds to the concerning increase in road violence. It combats dangerous behaviors and supports victim families. This initiative symbolizes essential mobilization to prevent new tragedies and to raise public awareness about the importance of responsible driving. Christian Estrosi affirms that: “the term ‘involuntary manslaughter’ is revolting. It masks the real root of the problem: irresponsibility and impunity.” He also requested for Eric Pauget’s bill to be “put back on the National Assembly’s agenda.” The mayor made “seven requests for the installation of speed cameras in the city’s most frequented areas.” These requests have been sent to the prefecture since 2022 without a response so far. He announced that the city of Nice will finance and install the speed cameras itself. The Prefecture will have to connect them to the Ministry of the Interior’s network later. Yannick Alléno praised this first convention between the association and a municipality. He hopes that other mayors will be inspired to do the same.
