75 empty chairs in Montpellier for the 75 road victims in 2021 in Hérault

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The image is shocking. This is also his goal. The Collective Justice association for road victims set up a 25-meter-long table this Saturday in front of the Hérault prefecture. On a black tablecloth, 75 covers were installed as the number of road deaths of the department in 2021. In front of each plate, the name and age of the victims have been written. Some are 10, 16 or 18 years old.

I kissed my son, an hour later I saw him on the floor under a sheet – Gilles

Among these names, there is that of Charles, 21 years old. His father wants to tell us about his son who was killed while riding a motorcycle. “He wasn’t crazy about speed. For him, motorcycling was synonymous with freedom. He was going home and a motorist who was coming across cut him off”says Gilles.

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tireless fight

Since then, this father has been fighting to challenge and raise awareness among road users. “I try to make people aware of being careful. I am an activist while driving. On the back of my pick-up I wrote “too many deaths on the roads” and I see them in my rear view mirror these drivers who roll fast”explains Gilles.

Death doesn’t care about age, religion, political opinions, it comes and it hits – Gilles

The names and ages of the victims are inscribed on the empty chairs in front of the Hérault prefecture © Radio France
– Romain Berchet

Engage public authorities

One month before the legislative elections, a few candidates showed up at the association’s stand. The opportunity for Cathy Bourgoin, the president, to raise awareness and challenge. “We have a bill that is ready where we want, for example, that manslaughter be transformed into road homicide. For the families of victims, this is an important terminology”, she insists.

For five years we have suffered total contempt – Cathy Bourgoin

Among the victims, there are many teenagers like Claire who was 16 years old
Among the victims, there are many teenagers like Claire who was 16 years old © Radio France
– Romain Berchet

“No will”, “a cowardice”, the president of the association Collectif Justice for road victims denounces the absence of a national day dedicated to road victims in France. “They decided to drown it on February 22, European Day of All Victims. We sent a petition with 8,000 signatures last year. We have not had an answer. We just want to be heard, it’s not Wizard”gets annoyed Cathy Bourgoin.


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