“Less light, more danger”. The police of Gironde carried out Wednesday at the end of the day in Bordeaux a control operation around the lighting of the two wheels. Every year after the switch to winter time, the authorities note a peak in accident rates due to the drop in light. The number of accidents jumped by 42% between October and November, according to figures from the National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety over the period 2015-2019. A phenomenon that makes pedestrians, cyclists and scooter users even more vulnerable.
Since the weekend of the time change, the night seems to fall suddenly. it gets darker earlier, which can be dangerous when leaving schools and work. Hence this awareness-raising operation for Bordeaux police officers present on the Pont de Pierre in Bordeaux this Wednesday, in the presence of Martin Guespereau, the delegate prefect in Gironde for defense and security:
“With the change of timetable, we find ourselves plunged into the night, when it’s time to go home, from work or from school. And that’s why we send a road safety message, because that every year, at the time of the time change, there is an increase in the mortality of pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, all those who are vulnerable in the street.
© Radio France
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Jules Brelaz
The worrying excess mortality of cyclists
With the development of cycling in recent years, dramas are more and more frequent
. At the national level, cyclists now represent 8% of road deaths. In 2021, the number of bicycle fatalities increased by 40% compared to 2019 (26 deaths compared to 18). And since January 1, 2022, the authorities have counted 21 bicycle victims in New Aquitaine, including three in Gironde, according to the prefecture.
“That’s why we wanted to do this operation,” explains Martin Guespereau. “There are mandatory elements on a bicycle, front and rear lighting. Reflectors, these orange reflective bars, on the wheels, and on the pedals. It’s mandatory. If we don’t If you don’t have this lighting, you are liable to a fine of €11. An educational fine like our operation.”
The prefecture announces that similar checks will take place next week, when students return from colleges and high schools. “They will realize that at the end of the course, it is already dark.