New crowded weekend on the roads of France: Bison smart is planning red in both directions this Saturday, August 13, 2022. Among the cars this weekend, you will also come across APRR patrollers. In Pouilly-en-Auxois, the district APRR covers an area on the A6 which runs from Col de Bessey-en-Chaume, towards Beaune, and just above Bierre-lès-Semur, towards Paris. The mission of these guys in neon orange? Be the first link between motorists and the rest of the world. France Bleu Bourgogne followed one of the five APRR employees from Pouilly-en-Auxois during a patrol.
Watch out for motorists
In one day, three patrollers take turns, every eight hours, the baton is passed. Sylvain Ratat is one of five employees at APRR’s Pouilly-en-Auxois site. Patroller for more than 10 years, he takes us with him. Before leaving, the van must be well equipped: road signs, cones, enough to clear the road if necessary… It must be said that Sylvain’s job is multifunctional: the heart remains to report accidents, while putting people to safety. On a daily basis, it is also to check that the road signs are legible, to take care of all the objects or animals which clutter the road or the motorway areas….
Today, Sylvain is called to the other end of the sector, near Bierre-lès-Semur. A broken down car is parked on the insertion lane, it must therefore be reported so that it is safe. The patroller receives orders and information from the regional command post (CP), his eyes in a way: “As soon as he gives us information, we have to go there”, says Sylvain. This time, it is not sure to arrive in time: “I’m not promising you anything, I need time to go,” he told his colleague on the other end of the line.. “I’m unlucky, there’s no one closer. There’s always that little moment of adrenaline, when we’re called, you feel useful.” Finally, the tow truck arrived before the patrolman at the bedside of the broken down car “we don’t always have the time or the right information but you always have to check, you never know”he concludes.
A dangerous job?
Sylvain is often in contact with cars, which drive at 130km/h… whilehe has to cross three lanes to pick up an axle that is blocking traffic. He knows these risks but admits a lack of pedagogy: “I find that motorists don’t make a lot of effort, they slow down at the moment of the accident to watch, but when we are installing front cones, they pass us by at 130 km/h”, explains Sylvain. Even after more than ten years in the profession, Sylvain has a striking memory of practice: “it’s a miracle”he explains. “I was on night patrol. A car is stopped on the side, it’s an elderly couple. As I turn around, I see a truck going straight at me. I just had time to jump behind the rails and shouting attention. He kicked the wheel, and so it was only the rear that hit. The lady was up and had nothing.