Winter is approaching, and the various authorities responsible for securing the roads are stepping up to ensure the condition of the roads as best as possible.
Winter is approaching on the high-Alpine roads. Representatives of the Interdepartmental Directorate of Mediterranean Roads (DirMed), the prefecture, the Hautes-Alpes departmental council and Vinci Autoroutes gathered this Friday, November 8 in the premises of SDIS 05 in La Grave, to discuss the winter service system for the 2024-2025 season.
The means put in place to clear snow and secure the entire road network were particularly at the center of the discussions. For national roads, DirMed plans to deploy 120 agents in the Hautes-Alpes.
Last season, 100,000 euros were spent to spread 3,000 tonnes of salt on the department's national roads. The A51, managed by Escota Vinci Autoroutes, will of course also be closely monitored and maintained, with a toll-free number (3605) being made available to motorists for information.
Various obligations for adapted equipment
Through the voice of Aude-Cécile Monnot, interim cabinet director within the Hautes-Alpes prefecture, the State recalls the obligation to be equipped with snow tires until March 3, 2025, or to have chains or socks to put around the tires in case of emergency.
“They are essential for the flow of traffic and to prevent accidents. Beyond preventing accidents, you should know that responsible users will be responsible for the costs for themselves and for other users if the rule does not “was not respected”, underlines Aude-Cécile Monnot.
A defrosted windshield, checking tire pressure, having anti-freeze windshield washer fluid, a fluorescent vest, a safety triangle and being able to mount the equipment… All these provisions are also highly recommended.
“Without sanctions, no effectiveness”
While he welcomes the existence of this rule of compulsory equipment as well as the educational efforts of the State services via the police, the vice-president in charge of roads in the department, Marcel Cannat is categorical.
“Unfortunately we have to go through sanctions, I agree with former minister Joël Giraud. To avoid accidents and road blockages you have to be equipped and you therefore need sanctions, otherwise it won't work. (. ..) On the government side, we have difficulty making this decision but we would like the State to legislate once and for all,” says Marcel Cannat.
To know the condition of the roads, Bison futé provides daily information on the condition of the roadway classified from C1 (normal condition) to C4 (impassable). A site and an application also exist to know traffic conditions in real time.
