Two days after the tragic accident between a scooter and a bicycle that claimed the lives of two people, the law enforcement conducted a large-scale check on the Promenade des Anglais. The objective: to remind Nice’s drivers that on the road, every negligence can be fatal.
Wednesday evening, from 8 PM to 10 PM, the Promenade des Anglais turned into a massive checkpoint. In both directions of traffic, numerous drivers were stopped by the teams of the national police and the municipal police.
In total, nearly thirty officers were mobilized and spread across two strategic points: one check took place at the Sheraton hotel, the other was positioned near terminal 1 of the airport. The priority for the law enforcement that night was to track risky driving to prevent another tragedy: “This type of operation takes place every day on the department’s roads, but tonight, it takes on another dimension,” explains Aurélien Froger, head of the departmental road safety service.
Speed, alcohol, drugs: zero tolerance
During this check, the police targets remained the same: speed, alcohol levels, drugs, driver’s licenses, and defects in vehicle inspections. Some offenses noted were staggering: a car was clocked at 107 km/h instead of the permitted 50. The driver of a compact car immediately lost their driver’s license. His justification: “I had the music blasting; it excites me,” he added with a smile. But the motorcycle remains the most dangerous vehicle on the promenade. Among the two-wheelers stopped, many were well above the legal speed limit. Beyond speeding, other uncommon offenses included a Romanian-registered truck with critically worn tires incapable of stopping in an emergency. Sometimes, these small oversights can lead to the worst.
Reinstating the fear of the police
The sanctions today no longer scare drivers. The message from the police is clear. According to them, it’s necessary to reinstate a form of fear of control. “Dangerous behavior isn’t just at 2 AM. It’s at all hours. And it doesn’t only concern motorists, but also two-wheelers and cyclists,” explains the commissioner.
Since the beginning of the year, the road toll on the Promenade des Anglais is “extremely negative.” This is due to numerous factors: excessive speed, use of phones or earphones, consumption of nitrous oxide while driving… The fatal accident on July 7 was not the first. During the same period in 2024, 28 people lost their lives on the roads of the Alpes-Maritimes compared to 20 since January 1, 2025. This decline must continue, thanks to increased awareness. “Speed kills. From 40 km/h, the impact can be fatal,” recalls Aurélien Froger, who wishes to convey that the road is not a playground.
These operations will continue in the coming days randomly. The police are aware that reporting apps allow users to avoid them. But their goal is not to surprise. They want to leave a lasting impression by having maximum impact and making people think.
