Road Safety draws an initial assessment of road accidents in 2021. According to ONISR estimates, 2,947 people were killed in mainland France. This is 297 less than in 2019, but road traffic has still not returned to its pre-crisis level.
The ONISR (National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory) has just published an initial statistical report on road accidents in France. The year 2021 recorded a 9% decrease in the number of deaths compared to 2019 (reference year) with 2,947 deaths. The results are less positive in Overseas France where 274 people were killed, i.e. 8% compared to 2019. In total, the number of road deaths fell from 3,364 killed in 2019 to 3,221 in 2021 (– 4, 25%). If we refer to 2020, the year marked by the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people who lost their lives on the roads of mainland France rose by 16%.
TO READ. Road safety. A record 2020 balance sheet in a particular context
Road traffic still not back to normal
In mainland France, the decline is explained by road traffic which has still not returned to normal. The year 2021 was again marked by a curfew, the use of telework or even the closing of discotheques which limited “ festive night trips “, explains Road Safety. Moreover the number of 25-34 year olds killed on the roads fell by 28.5% to 401 killed, i.e. 115 less than in 2019. In detail, ONISR explains that the number of motorist deaths is down 13% (211 fewer killed), that of motorized two-wheeler drivers is down 10.5% and pedestrian deaths have dropped. by 14% (67 fewer killed).
TO READ. Road fatality. Down in early 2021, due to the curfew
Mortality of cyclists and toddlers on the rise
On the other hand, the number of deaths increased sharply among truckers (+ 33%) and even among cyclists (+ 21%). For the first time in 20 years, the mortality of cyclists exceeds the threshold of 200 killed. More accidents took place outside urban areas (+35%) than in town (+8%). This is explained by the strong enthusiasm for this mode of travel since the pandemic. According to the association Vélos&Territoires, the practice has increased by 14% in rural areas, 20% in peri-urban areas and 31% in urban areas. Motorized personal transport devices (such as scooters, unicycles, etc.) are also arousing great interest, which is also reflected in an increase in the number of fatalities: + 120% with 22 people dying in mainland France.
The return to 90 km / h did not favor the number of deaths
In its review, ONISR highlights the fact that road mortality is more pronounced outside urban areas where 1,732 people lost their lives. On the other hand, it is impossible to incriminate the departments where the maximum speed has been raised to 90 km / h. Proof :
- 655 people were killed in 38 departments having increased the speed on all or part of the network
- 1,077 people lost their lives in 57 departments where the speed remained at 80 km / h (- 16.4%)
Fewer injuries on the roads in 2021?
Globally, the fall in mortality is accompanied by a fall in bodily accidents (– 4% to 53,620 accidents) and the number of injuries (– 5% to 67,141 people injured) in metropolitan France. This is not the case in Overseas France where the police recorded 5% more injury accidents (+ 5% compared to 2019) and 3% more injuries (3,767 people).
