The number of deaths on the roads of Ille-et-Vilaine has increased significantly since the start of the year. We take stock with Colonel Nicolas Bénévent, boss of the gendarmes of the Breton department.
Several deaths have been reported in recent weeks on the road in Brittany, particularly in Ille-et-Vilaine and Côtes d’Armor.
Rising figures since the start of 2024 confirm the colonel Nicolas Bénévent the boss of the gendarmes of Ille-et-Vilaine. “There have been nine more deaths already this year compared to the same period last year, which is important, i.e. around 20 in total. On the other hand, we have fewer injuries, fewer bodily accidents if we compare ourselves to last year.
Concerning the causes of these fatal accidents, there are many, explains Colonel Nicolas Bénévent. “The main causes of these accidents this year are refusal of priority, careless errors and addictive behavior, that is to say the consumption of alcohol and narcotics. Three main causes apart from approximately equivalent.”
As for the age of the people involved in these fatal road accidents, be careful of preconceived ideas, explains the boss of the Ille-et-Vilaine gendarmes. “The people affected are in an age range of 25 to 65 years old. So it is not necessarily the young or the elderly who are the most affected this year.”
To prevent these road accidents as much as possible, the Ille-et-Vilaine gendarmes are increasing their actions on the ground. “We must be massively present on the roads. This is what we are doing at the moment, in order to prevent what we call risky behavior. You were talking about non-compliance with safety distances. We can at this subject making classic devices but also using devices that are a little more innovative or a little more exceptional. I am thinking in particular of the use of unmarked motorcycles to identify risky behavior, but also of the use of the section’s helicopter. Rennes gendarmerie air force We did it this summer, particularly during cross-hunting, which allows us to detect risky behavior as far away as possible.
In addition to repression, the gendarmes also carry out preventive actions, explains Colonel Nicolas Bénévent. “We work with all of our usual partners, such as road safety, and we have carried out a number of prevention actions in recent weeks. I am thinking in particular of hikes for motorcyclists, since motorcyclists are not did not speak, but constitute a really very vulnerable category since they represent nearly 33% of accidents while they only represent 3% of road users. So the departmental road safety squadron had the opportunity to do this. year to do, for example, what we call a motorcycle ride during which there are handling tests which are given by motorcyclists from the gendarmerie. We also went to Betton this year to do an open day of the gendarmerie. gendarmerie during which we provided various workshops aimed at young people in particular. There is a real urgency to share responsibility for this public space that is the road.
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