Fewer deaths on French motorways

29 Jul, 2013

Deaths on French motorways in 2012 fell by more than 25 per cent according to a report by the Association des Sociétés Françaises d’Autoroutes (ASFA), accounting for 143 of the 3,645 road deaths nationwide.

Falling asleep at the wheel was one of the major causes of death, especially among drivers under 35. Overall lack of concentration accounted for 40 per cent of all fatal accidents. Most of the deaths occurred in July and on long distance journeys.

The report also reveals that accidents while driving at high speeds have fallen by more than 50 per cent and most of these happened at night.

The minister for the interior has recently announced that there are plans to cut speeds from 130kph to 120kph on motorways and on other roads from 90kph to 80kph as the best way to cut road deaths further.