Figures for 2016 show a stagnation in the number of motorists killed on the roads. Pedestrians and cyclists were more affected, however.
Road fatalities are stagnating in France. After two years of an increase in the number of road deaths, the final figures from the National Interministerial Office for Road Safety (ONISR) presented on Monday during a press conference, finally suggest a relative lull.
In 2016, 3,477 people lost their lives on the roads of mainland France. Despite everything, this represents 16 more deaths than in 2015… But certain indicators point to a favorable development. Thus, the number of motorists killed on the roads is decreasing and reached 1,760 deaths, that is to say 36 less than in 2015 (-2%).
Young people die less on the road
Mortality decreases in particular among 18-24 year olds with 22 lives saved (-4%) and among 15-17 year olds with 29 lives saved (-23%). On the other hand, it increases among seniors (65 years and over). Among this age group, 55 additional deaths are to be deplored in 2016 compared to the previous year.
Two-wheelers were less affected. In 2016, 34 moped riders and one motorcyclist died less than in 2015. On the other hand, road fatalities increased among cyclists to reach 162 deaths, an increase of 9%. The same goes for pedestrian mortality: 559 deaths are to be deplored among pedestrians, an increase of 19% compared to 2015.
Personal injury accidents on the rise
Another negative indicator: the number of bodily accidents. This year, 72,645 people were injured in traffic accidents, an increase of 2.6%. More than three quarters of the people killed or seriously injured on the roads are men, adds the Office.
The first cause of death remains “excessive or unsuitable” speed. It would be involved in one in three fatal accidents. It is followed by alcohol (29% of fatal accidents), then the consumption of narcotics (22%).
Another clarification: 20% of motorists killed in 2016 were not wearing seat belts; 10% of mopeds and 4% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet, or had not (or badly) attached.
Mobile phones
This year, the National Interministerial Road Safety Office insisted on two issues that it considers essential to reduce road fatalities: “addiction to mobile phones and the trivialization of driver assistance systems making it possible to report traffic accidents. controls ”.
“July and August are traditionally the deadliest months,” concluded Emmanuel Barbe, interministerial delegate for road safety. I call on us to collectively lie these statistics. It’s quite simple: everyone just has to follow the rules ”.
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