The number of road deaths in mainland France fell by 4% during the summer (July-August), with 569 people killed, the French road safety authority announced in a statement on Monday. In August, 291 people died on the roads of mainland France, 2% more than in the same month last year (285), according to estimates by the National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety (ONISR).
In July, the number of road fatalities had fallen by 9%, with 278 deaths compared to 306 the previous year. “The results for this summer (July-August) are generally more favourable than those of last summer (22 fewer deaths, a decrease of 4%),” said Florence Guillaume, Interministerial Delegate for Road Safety.
“But unfortunately there is an increase in the mortality rate of some vulnerable users: 12 more deaths on bicycles and 16 more on two-wheeled motor vehicles,” she lamented, quoted in a press release issued on Monday.
9% increase in the number of serious injuries
In August, the increase in road deaths was particularly marked among cyclists (32 deaths, or 9 more) and among users of motorized two-wheeled vehicles (97 deaths, or 4 more), according to ONISR. On the other hand, the number of pedestrian deaths is decreasing (26 deaths, or 7 fewer). According to the same source, the number of serious injuries (1,546) recorded an increase of 9% compared to August 2023. In July, 1,687 people were seriously injured (+5%).
“Mortality in the last 12 months has increased by +6% compared to the previous 12 months,” also specifies Road Safety in its August barometer.
“In the lead-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the start of the school year in September, let us resolve to continue aiming for gold on the road by behaving responsibly,” urged Florence Guillaume. On overseas roads, 15 people lost their lives in July (-12%) and 25 in August (+39%).
Source: BFM TV
