The device is large-scale to fight against the increase in accidents and offenses on the roads of Bas-Rhin. As during the first operation on the Entzheim Atrium roundabout last night, more than 100 gendarmes will be regularly deployed at 17 checkpoints throughout the territory. As of May 1, 2022 in the Bas-Rhin, the National Road Safety Observatory reports 11 killed compared to 5 in 2021 at the same period (+120%), 220 accidents against 162 (+35.8%), 268 injured against 197 (+36%). An increase to be put into perspective in view of the health restrictions linked to confinement.
No more pedagogy, place for sanctions
To serve this major campaign, the Bas-Rhin gendarmerie mobilizes 6 companies and the Departmental Road Safety Squadron. At each of the 17 checkpoints, motorcyclists and police officers on foot will carry out random checks, with all the arsenal at their disposal: glasses for measuring the speed of vehicles (3,984 drivers in violation since the start of the year), breathalyzers (588 positive blood alcohol tests, up 68% compared to 2021), narcotics screening kits (403 screenings, up 2.5%).
– Francois Chagnaud
To maximize the efficiency of the device and avoid being spotted by motorists, in particular via navigation applications, the gendarmes will frequently change the place of control. This turn of the screw will end when the prefecture has noted a reduction in accidents and traffic offences. The prefect of Bas-Rhin Josiane Chevalier, present on the large Entzheim roundabout for the presentation of the device this Friday evening, did not specify the required threshold.
From January 1 to April 30, 2022, the Bas-Rhin prefecture specifies that 968 licenses were suspended compared to 784 in 2021, an increase of 24%. A 10% increase compared to the situation before Covid.