The number of people killed on the motorway in 2021 experienced its lowest level for 20 years, the consumption of drugs, alcohol or medication becoming the leading cause of fatal accidents according to the annual report of the Association of French motorway companies (Asfa) published on Wednesday.
In 2021, 131 people were killed on the motorway network, i.e. 4 more than during the year 2020 marked by confinement but 23 less than in 2019, the last year of reference.
Reported to traffic, 2021 is the least deadly year for twenty years, with 1.2 accidents per billion km travelled, indicates this report.
The consumption of alcohol, drugs and medication while driving appears between 2017 and 2021 as the leading factor in fatal accidents (23%) ahead of drowsiness and fatigue (20%), speeding (18%) and distractions , like the telephone, (13%).
A bad start to the year in 2022
Intervention teams were victims of 126 accidents in 2021 and 12 officers were injured. Four officers have been killed since the beginning of the year.
This year got off to a bad start, with 75 people killed on the motorways as of June 1, an increase of 46% over one year, explains AFP Christophe Boutin, ASFA’s general delegate.
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We see the progression of the drug, alcohol and medication factor, therefore dangerous intentional behavior that is explained by a relaxation and it is very worrying, alerts Mr. Boutin.
These figures from Asfa, which brings together the private concessionaires managing 9,180 of the 12,000 kilometers of French motorways, join those of the entire metropolitan road network, which also recorded a low in 2021 with 2,944 deaths.
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