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State of French roads causing alarm
Spectacular images of roads that have collapsed or been blocked by mudslides this winter have prompted renewed concern about the state of France’s roads
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A13 French motorway near Paris closed until at least May 1
Further tests must be carried out before repairs can begin. Traffic jams reached 400km long around Paris on Monday
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Update: France’s A13 motorway closed for days, huge traffic jams
Crack in road has already damaged drainage apparatus of motorway
Speed isn’t everything
Driving from Auch to Condom, at 80kph, I glanced in my rear view mirror to see the massive radiator grille of a heavy goods vehicle filling the mirror. The HGV was obviously in a hurry; I increased speed, to no effect. The HGV kept roaring up closer and closer. Finally, I pulled over and let it thunder past.
The new limit is well-intentioned but is only part of the solution to the road death-toll. A massive re-education programme is needed, addressing dangerous overtaking, tailgating, motorcycle awareness and not using a mobile phone while driving.
I see media reports that an accident was caused by fog or ice. This is ridiculous. Accidents are frequently caused by a failure to adjust speed to take road conditions into account.
Every motorist should spare a thought for emergency services who are obliged to assist at horrific accident scenes.
A driving licence is a privilege, not a right – we should all strive to achieve best possible standards when we use the roads. The aims is to get from A to B safely, without endangering others.
Why is it that people are courteous and patient in supermarket queues yet there is so much aggression on our roads?
Peter Bradley, Gers
