The number of people killed on motorways in 2021 experienced its lowest level in 20 years, and the use of drugs, alcohol or medication became the main cause of fatal accidents according to the annual report of the Association of French motorway companies ( Asfa) published on Wednesday.
In 2021, 131 people have died on the highway network, that is, 4 more than during the year 2020 marked by confinement but 23 less than in 2019, the last year of reference.
Reported to traffic, 2021 is the least deadly year for twenty years, “with 1.2 accidents for every billion kilometers traveled,” indicates this report.
A year 2022 that starts badly
The consumption of alcohol, drugs and medications while driving appears between 2017 and 2021 as the main factor in fatal accidents (23%) ahead of drowsiness and fatigue (20%), speed (18%) and distractions, like the telephone, (13%). %).
The intervention teams suffered 126 accidents in 2021 and 12 officers were injured.
Four officers have been killed since the beginning of the year.
This year has started badly, with 75 deaths on the highways on June 1, an increase of 46% in one year, Christophe Boutin, general delegate of ASFA, explains to AFP.
“We see the progression of the drug, alcohol and medication factor, therefore dangerous intentional behavior that is explained by relaxation and is very worrying,” warns Mr. Boutin.
These figures from Asfa, which brings together the private concessionaires that manage 9,180 of the 12,000 kilometers of French highways, coincide with those of the entire metropolitan road network, which also registered its minimum in 2021 with 2,944 deaths.
Source: BFM TV
