The prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales called for the responsibility of everyone when driving. In 2019, alcohol generated a quarter of the deaths on the roads of the department
On the occasion of the Feria de Millas (Pyrénées-Orientales) which has just ended, the prefect of the department, Philippe Chopin made the trip to the Catalan village to meet the volunteers of the association “Route 66” which were present throughout the party.
Present at some fifteen summer festive events
The aim was first of all to welcome the association’s investment in the fight against unsafe roads. “Route 66”, which is supported by the Préfecture and its departmental road safety action plan (PDASR), has been working for 18 years in the department.
She regularly installs her stand “Autotestez” on more than fifteen summer festive events such as the ferias of Millas and Céret, the “Jeudis de Perpignan”, during the “Déferlantes” of Argelès-Sur-Mer, thus suggesting to drivers to check if they are able to hit the road again. In addition, she also works in companies and offers points recovery courses.
Do not put your life and the lives of others in danger
Through this meeting, Philippe Chopin, who wished to “support the responsibility of everyone at the wheel,” recalled:
“From the first drink, the feeling of euphoria is associated with greater risk taking. At 0.39 mg of alcohol / liter of exhaled air (limit before the delict level), a driver is 10 times more likely to have an accident.”
And to the prefect of Pyrénées-Orientales to add :
“Thus, prevention and repression are the two essential approaches, which after sensitizing the driver, reminds him that he has the duty not to put his life and that of others in danger. In the department of Pyrénées-Orientales, alcohol remains the leading cause of bodily injury to traffic. Alcohol generated a quarter of the deaths on our roads as of July 24, 2019, involving in 3 out of 4 users between 35 and 55 years old.”
