-
Explosion at chemical plant near Lyon: where are other ‘at risk’ sites in France?
An estimated 2.5 million people live within a kilometre of a French Seveso site
-
Farmer blockades to continue on motorways over Christmas in south-west France
Protests are being maintained on the A64, A83 and A63 and on departmental roads
-
Interview: UK-France relations will only get stronger this year says new British Ambassador
The Connexion speaks to Sir Thomas Drew, who took up the role on September 1
Road deaths up again in 2015
Interior minister says it is still possible to bring the figure down to 2,000 by 2020
THE NUMBER of people killed in French road accidents rose for the second consecutive year in 2015, up 2.4% on the previous year to 3,464.
Road deaths had been steadily declining over 12 years but began to pick up again in 2014. There were 83 extra deaths in 2015, and the number of deaths attributed to excessive speed is up by 50 on the previous year.
Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve added that more people used their cars instead of public transport following the Paris terror attacks in November, and low petrol prices also led to an increase in overall car use.
Average speeds on French roads have increased in recent years, Cazeneuve said, pointing to a BVA study last April in which 75% of respondents said they did not always respect speed limits.
In an interview with Le Parisien, he said he still believed it was possible to bring the number of road deaths in France below the 2,000 mark by 2020.
"That's still our goal and it's realistic," he said. "We need strong and ambitious measures. Three things are central: tough checks, awareness from an early age and a relentless fight against drink- and drug-driving."
