top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Petition against speed limit cut

Motorists’ group says alcohol and fatigue are the cause of more accidents than speed

A MOTORING group has launched a petition against plans to cut speed limits on secondary roads to 80kph.

The group 40 millions d'automobilistes, which has 320,000 members, said the main causes of accidents are alcohol and fatigue, not speed.

It has written to the Ministry of the Interior and launched a petition online, just hours after a pre-report by the transport safety group CNSR recommended cutting speed limits from 90kph to 80kph on secondary, usually departmental, roads.

The CNSR claims the cut could save 450 lives a year, a claim disputed by 40 millions d’automobilistes which says it ignores advances in technology such as airbags, ABS and better vehicle designs.

“If we followed this ridiculous theory, then we would see the most accidents in the places where the speed limit is highest. Evidently this is not the case, far from it,” said the letter.

The president of the Ligue contre la violence routière, Chantal Perrichon, said that the measure did not go far enough and that the “bravest” option would be to cut the speed limit by 10kph across the whole network to save thousands of lives.

Photo:

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France