“Virilist culture”, “impunity”… Anne Hidalgo and her deputies charge the State

See my news
Follow Paris News

“Like everyone, I was deeply shocked by the murder of Paul Varry […] This murder is not just the bloodshed of a lone driver. It is also the result of political choices which never cease until preserve driver impunity. » Following the minute of silence observed in tribute to the cyclist killed in Paris by an SUV on October 15, David Belliard ignited the powder again during the Paris Council, Wednesday November 20, 2024 afternoon, by pointing out the state responsibility and law enforcement on this hot topic.

Culture viriliste

During a sharp speech, the deputy to the City of Paris spoke of a “culture of brutal and murderous toxic virility”, specifying in passing the substance of his thoughts: “I am talking about 'drivers' wisely , becausethey are mostly men. » A statement that seems to be corroborated by the recent MMA mutual insurance group study, which demonstrated that 80% of dangerous behaviors in cars took place when a man is at the wheel.

The tragedy is, according to him, also an argument in favor of the policy pursued by the City, sometimes considered anti-automobile. “ What kills are the cars. And in particular large vehicles, like SUVs, which we ultimately need to get out of our city, he continued. What protects, on the other hand, is to further reduce the space of the car. » Before broadening the debate: “But to go further, we need to change culture,” he says.

(Presumed) impunity permitted by law enforcement

The main culprits according to him? State services. David Belliard continues: “There are no speed controls in Paris by the police headquarters. THE number of radars is insufficient, not to say ridiculous. Traffic offenses are reported too little, if at all, by the national police. Too often, moreover, I am told stories of people whose complaints of road violence were not taken into account in the Parisian police stations.”

And to conclude, by addressing Laurent Nuñez directly:

We need an electric shock. Put an end to this impunity of car sweating, to this violence which has been tolerated for too long. Mr. Prefect, you must play a more important role to ensure the safety of everyone.

A little earlier, Jean-Philippe Daviaud, Paris advisor in charge of trade in the 18th, although less virulent, was already going in this direction: “In response to a question to the government from Senator Rémi Féraud, Nicolas Daragon, minister delegate in charge of everyday safety, declared that the issue of sharing the road and protecting users, particularly the most vulnerable, was a priority for the government. Mr. Police Prefect, can you indicate what concrete forms this commitment will take in Paris? »

Laurent Nuñez pleads for appeasement

On the ropes, Laurent Nuñez, at first, weakly defended the results of the police headquarters. “We are going, through the mission that has been launched [par le ministre délégué chargé des Transports]participate in all the consultation that will take place to better take into account the uses and sharing of public space. (But also) continue our control operations. The repressive aspect remains something extremely important. And continue to support the City, as we do in the development of cycle paths…”

Visibly upset, he then questioned the form of the interventions of the deputies to the City of Paris. “On the other hand, what I hope, all the same, is that this dialogue that we are going to have, this consultation, must that it takes place in a peaceful setting. And, in Mr. Belliard's reactions to my words, I do not find the reassurance that I… that we need. It looks like you're waving a red rag in front of the police chief. Do you believe that the voluntary act [du conducteur] or the consequence of the impunity of the police and the police chief against motorists? We can't say that (he repeats himself). Everyone must be appeased, with a view to appeasement in public spaces. We cannot say that this act is the consequence of impunity which would have been permitted by my staff in traffic control. »

Pretending to play appeasement, the mayor (PS) of Paris has finished inflaming the debates. “Obviously the police are there to also ensure that road safety is a reality in Paris… [Mais] it is clear that it is not today.” Under the vociferations of the opposition, the councilor concluded: “I completely agree with David Belliard, there is avirilist and masculinist culture of a certain number of motorists, who feel overpowered – they are often men – aboard their SUV…”

While some were calling out to her: “Don't let us be men”, the mayor retorted straight away: “Don't let there be women in charge.” »

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.