Since the start of the year in Calvados, 29 people were killed on the roads and nearly 600 people were injured. This is more than last year for the total number of victims (around a hundred additional injured compared to last year at the same time). Faced with this alarming observation, it was not a simple road check that was carried out this Thursday, November 14 on the N.158 near Falaise. To raise awareness among motorists, the Calvados prefecture and the departmental road safety squadron organized several educational workshops at the Soulangy rest area. An alternative to sanctions.
90% of accidents are caused by a human factor
Among the workshops organized, an activity around blood alcohol content was offered with a route to be taken on foot by putting on special glasses simulating the effects of alcohol. Motorists were also made aware of the safety corridor. Enshrined in the highway code, this rule requires drivers to adapt their behavior when approaching a construction site or a vehicle in intervention by switching to the left lane. In 2022, four officers were killed on the national highway system.
You should know that today, 90% of fatal traffic accidents are caused by a human factor, that is to say an infraction of the highway code: excessive speed, alcohol, drugs, distraction, fatigue, failure to respect safety distances, etc.
Responsive drivers
Drivers are rather receptive to these awareness workshops, notes Pascal Biard, responsible for road safety in Calvados with the prefect. “People appreciate it because we offer them an alternative to sanctions. It's more interesting for them. And more concrete. When they practice our workshops, on emergency braking, or on blood alcohol simulations, they realize the dangers more easily. They also leave with goodies which then allows them to talk about it to those around them, and to work for us in terms of prevention.” In 2023, traffic accidents caused the death of 33 people in Calvados. This figure is identical to 2022. It is down compared to 2019, the reference year before the pandemic.
