This is an opportunity for the gendarmes of Indre-et-Loire to teach and present their various tools: radars, binoculars, cars and motorcycles… But also to warn about the misdeeds ofalcohol and drugs, which are among the leading causes of road accidents. Much like the ASSR, participants are asked to put on a pair of distorting glasses, supposed to simulate the effects of cannabis consumption or about one gram of alcohol per liter of blood. Their challenge: to follow a route drawn on the ground and avoid obstacles, while feeling completely drunk. “It’s very destabilizing” says Elodie after knocking down half of the traffic signs. “We don’t have the same outlook at all, it’s pitching… it really doesn’t make you want to consume before hitting the road”.
Educate the drivers of tomorrow
It is naturally the children who lend themselves the most to the game: “With the first glasses you can see the track twice” is surprised Louise, who has just stumbled against a stud. “Whereas with the second, it’s like bees and suddenly I saw nothing”.
With playful workshops mainly aimed at children, one might think that the gendarmerie is on the wrong target. But as Major Tanguy, of the Tours gendarmerie, points out, today’s child is tomorrow’s driver “If we manage to make him aware today, it can last over time. Maybe later, when we suggest he drink before driving, he will remember this experience!”
– Mathilde Cariou
Beware of hypovigilance
The other objective of this prevention area is to encourage motorists to take a break during their journey: “Hypovigilance is the leading cause of accidents on the motorway” resumes Major Tanguy. “This moment when we think of something else, when the eyelids are a little heavy… We can avoid it by taking a break. And by setting up workshops, we will encourage drivers to stay 15-20 minutes, rather than two.”
Workshops like this will be organized throughout the summer to make motorists aware of safe journeys, “an essential device, especially in this period of high mortality on the roads”.