The term “manslaughter” committed on the road should become “road homicide” this Monday, July 17, 2023, according to our colleagues from BFM-TV. The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, and her government have decided to replace this term for drivers who have committed homicide after driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
The government would also have chosen to extend the concept of road homicide to any accident linked to a crime, and the qualification of “unintentional injuries” would be replaced by that of “road injuries”. This request was made by associations of road victims, who were able to put the subject back on the table following the accident involving Pierre Palmade on February 10.
See also: URGENT – Death of Antoine Alléno, son of the famous three-star chef Yannick Alléno in a dramatic accident in Paris
Changes not satisfying enough
Currently, criminally, a driver responsible for a road accident resulting in the death of one or more people can be charged with manslaughter with a double aggravating circumstance. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 100,000 euros. However, our colleagues point out that the Penal Code does not create a specific offense for this type of situation.
Leader Yannick Alleno, whose son Antoine lost his life on May 8, 2022 after being mowed down by a driver, expressed his dissatisfaction with this decision if it stops there. He created an association called “Antoine Alleno” on September 20, 2022 to help young victims under the age of 25 and bereaved families.
Yannick Alléno is fighting for a “autonomous offence”, distinct from manslaughter, be implemented. According to him, preliminary acts such as taking drugs, illicit substances or heavy alcohol consumption before driving are voluntary. He regrets that we remain within the framework of manslaughter and considers that it is essential to recognize an autonomous offense in order to take into account the victims and the co-victims.
Yannick Alléno is fighting to change things
He insists on the importance of this autonomous offense for the care of victims and the implementation of a support plan similar to that implemented after an act of terrorism. He regrets that little is currently being done in the field of accidentology and stresses the importance of showing compassion and support to the families concerned. “My son, when he left, I had before my eyes a scene of an attack. It’s 708 kids who leave every year under the effect of road homicide, that’s five times the Bataclan!”he insists in an attempt to raise awareness of the dangers of the road and of speeders who drive under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.
“When unfortunately things like that happen under the effect of terrorism, there is a whole chain that is set up in the support of the victims. Today, in accidentology, there is no big thing done. We leave people like that with their pain in their corner. That’s why we are calling for this autonomous offense so that we can trigger a plan and immediately go and say our compassion to the families and our help to the families.”, he concluded. The Prime Minister and the government should announce the expected changes during this Monday, July 17.
RF