If there is a decrease in the annual road safety report, the authorities do not intend to let their guard down. That’s why the family of fixed radar cameras will grow over this year. The Alpes-Maritimes had thirteen as of December 31, 2008. Three additional fixed radars will be installed, specifically designed to flash the back of vehicles and thus penalize motorcycles, which only have one license plate. The exact locations are not yet known, but the Promenade des Anglais is the first target, with two more radars.
As of today, these devices do not seem to have calmed drivers down. Speed limits continue to pose a problem. “We recorded 773 infractions in just 3 hours in a construction zone on the highway connecting Nice to Menton,” comments Pierre-Marie Bourniquel, Director of Public Safety. To combat the running of red lights and the neglect of some “stop” signs, an automated control system will flash offenders and is set to be installed in 2009.
Since last January, a training course has been mandatory at the time of purchasing a two-wheeler. The authorities and dealers have taken advantage of this new regulation to extend the discussion to include safety equipment, particularly the wearing of helmets.
“The checks are preventive and play a decisive role,” explains André Pétillot, commander of the Gendarmerie group. That is why, after the gendarmes, the national police will also resort to helicopter controls.
A Positive Outcome
“I am all the more happy and surprised by the outcome,” announced Francis Lamy, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes. The figures speak for themselves and reveal a decrease of 25.3% in deaths and 16.8% fewer injuries compared to 2008 in the region. More than half of the fatalities are concentrated in four months, from July to October.
Emphasis is placed on the number of fatal accidents involving two-wheelers. Of the 65 deaths in 2008, 35 were on motorcycles. Surprisingly, it is not the young who are most affected but the 30-40 age group, according to Pierre-Marie Bourniquel. “The two-wheelers themselves are responsible for the accidents in which they are involved,” he comments.
Lastly, pedestrians remain the most affected by accidents. The year 2008 ended with an unusually high number of fatalities, with an average age of 67 years.
