According to the AXA prevention barometer, 76% of French people are not in favor of lowering the authorized speed to 80 km / h on the secondary network on July 1, 2018. For lack of logical arguments, most evoke an additional “racket” of the state by back door means. It is both simplistic and tragic. French evil in all its expression.
Two figures which should close the debate: it is estimated that the radars, which will supposedly have a blast on secondary roads, will bring in – at best – 2 billion Euros; we also know, with certainty, that road accidents cost the community 50 billion per year!
Reducing speed dramatically reduces mortality. In the same way as the fight against alcohol, narcotics or drugs such as antidepressants and sleeping pills … If we do not find many activists to “drive drunk” among the defenders of freedom at the wheel, still according to this barometer 14e AXA prevention, despite a slight improvement, the figures on the practice of speeding remain far too high to be happy. 78% of the French are speeding (vs 83% in 2017).
On secondary roads, only 13% feel safe.
The French remain faithful to their reputation “it’s not my fault, but that of others …”: they denounce in the first place the behavior of other users (85%), the lack of maintenance of infrastructure (56%) and poor warning signs (23%).
However, 54% travel at 100-110 km / h (vs 60% in 2017) and 15% at 120-130 km / h (vs 18% in 2017) on these roads still limited to 90 km / h today. And when asked about lowering the authorized speed to 80 km / h, more than half of drivers perceive this measure as a new disguised tax and 36% find it unnecessary.
Still too many disabled people for life …
It should be remembered that the roads of the secondary network are the deadliest, they represent around 400,000 kilometers of road and account for 55% of fatal accidents (1,911 deaths in 2016). Source National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR). The argument advanced against “this new indirect tax” does not hold water.
Nothing can replace the saving of a lifetime, but all the measures taken with a certain courage by the various governments do not only win a race against death. Since 1945, the figures have been terrifying: at least 500,000 dead, the equivalent of the human losses suffered in France during the Second World War.
To go from 16,645 deaths in 1972 to 3,456 in 2017 is a tremendous achievement. But there are still those whose statistics rarely speak: the injured. It is estimated that there are 8 times more injured than dead. Which means thousands of physically and mentally handicapped people. We cannot repeat it enough, 50 billion in cost for the community and so much suffering impossible to quantify for the injured and their entourage …
So we must stop this stupid rearguard fight, this selfish hypocrisy and be ready to fight the future scourge: cell phone use while driving. Hoping that the French will not support the anger of the telephone operators at their loss of income!
Speed: advice from AXA prevention
1. Going fast won’t get you there first. Driving at 150 km / h on the motorway instead of 130 km / h on a 100 km trip only saves 6 minutes.
2. Adapt your speed to the traffic conditions and do not exceed the authorized speed limits. If the driving situation in front of you becomes complicated (poor visibility, weather conditions, heavy traffic, etc.), you will be ready to act.
3. Use cruise control. If your vehicle is equipped with it, this tool will help you regulate your pace.
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