Inattention is more and more noticed amongst younger drivers – FRED SCHEIBER / SIPA
“A worrying dynamic”: inattention was, in 2019, the reason for one deadly accident on the motorway in 5, a share which has nearly doubled in two years, based on the annual report of the Affiliation of French firms of highways (ASFA) printed Friday, begin of a weekend of nice departures on trip.
Regardless of tragedies such because the accident on the A7 which claimed the lives of 5 youngsters on Monday night, the motorways stay by far the most secure highway community: out of three,244 highway victims in mainland France final yr, based on Street Security, 154 died on conceded motorways (three lower than in 2018) based on figures from ASFA, which brings collectively the personal concessionaires managing 9,180 of the 12,000 kilometers of French motorways. That’s 1.49 deadly accidents per billion kilometers traveled (1.55 in 2018), a fee greater than halved since 2000.
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Inattention on the rise amongst younger folks
Some 20% of deadly accidents had been attributable to inattention, which turns into the third issue behind alcohol, medicine and medicine on the one hand (21%), and drowsiness and fatigue on the opposite (21% ), however now forward of extreme pace (16%).
Above all, its share has been steadily growing for 2 years (11.3% in 2017, 13.6% in 2018), “which is especially boring, among the youngest” explains Christophe Boutin, common delegate of ASFA. “This is a worrying dynamic and a factor that we fear will become even more important in the future,” he provides.
Whereas they solely characterize 17% of motorway drivers, these beneath 35 are accountable for 35% of deadly accidents as a consequence of inattention, and the reason for 28% of all deadly accidents.
As a result of they might not use their telephones whereas driving? In any case, underlines Christophe Boutin, ASFA thinks that using screens is “the main cause” of accidents as a consequence of inattention. “It’s complicated because people, when they have an accident, don’t spontaneously declare that they were on the phone, so we think that there is a strong under-reporting bias. But when we carry out a specific survey, we see that certain uses continue to increase, ”he argues.
Extra harmful conduct due to screens
In response to a Harris Interactive ballot for ASFA additionally printed on Friday, if the French work together much less with screens – phone or GPS – whereas driving than final yr (65%, -7 factors), those that accomplish that undertake extra harmful.
Thus, amongst telephone customers whereas driving, 71% reply with a hands-free package (+14 pts), 57% seek the advice of their telephone after they obtain a notification (+12) and 42% reply or write a message whereas holding the telephone. by hand.
“Not only do you have to stay connected, but respond to requests immediately,” notes Christophe Boutin, for whom “sending an SMS totally mobilizes attention and takes at least 15 seconds, a period of time which we cover 500 m to 130 km / h ”.
Nevertheless, these harmful behaviors are significantly current amongst these beneath 35, who’re eight in ten to work together with screens, that’s to say 14 factors greater than the common, or 24% to maintain their telephone in hand whereas driving, in opposition to 3%. for these over 50.
