Bikers against the laptop while driving

The FFMC Paris organized this afternoon an awareness campaign on the dangers of mobile phones while driving. Despite a low level of mobilization, 15,000 leaflets and stickers were distributed to rather receptive motorists. Atmosphere.

"An accident is as easy as a phone call"… This is how a small fifty motorcyclists approach, in the heart of Paris, motorists stuck in traffic jams near Place Saint-Michel, as part of the operation"Portable danger"set up by the Paris Petite Couronne (PPC) branch of the FFMC, the Motards Mutual, Moto Magazine and the AFDM (Association de formation des motards).

"Motorists are very receptive, explains Laura, activist of the FFMC Paris Petite Couronne. "We see barely 1% of negative reactions and I notice that they almost all come from the same type of individual: senior manager, in my fifties and big sedan, like I’m alone in the world in my car."…

Indeed, under a radiant sun, in the midst of tourists and cafe terraces, Laura’s dazzling smile and gloomy gaze hit the mark every time: a bus driver hastens to affix the "Danger" sticker on his front window, such a motorist immediately sticks it on his rear window, another prefers to slide it on his dashboard to be able to think about it when his cell phone rings. Others, caught on the phone while driving, declare themselves "fully aware of the danger to other road users". But as often, the person in charge is the other…

However, "all studies show that the risk of accident is multiplied by 4 when telephoning while driving and by 6 during the first seconds of communication", explains the FFMC which considers that"the effects of the laptop are comparable to those of alcohol: drivers do not take into account the peripheral information of their field of vision, more than three quarters forget to stop at pedestrian crossings and only one third remember the signs that ‘they just crossed paths"… Hence the two advice given to motorists this afternoon:"if I am alone I switch off my phone, if I have a passenger I pass it to him so that he can take the call".

Remember that calling while driving can now cost 2 license points. For new drivers, three offenses therefore lead to the outright cancellation of the license.

Other operations of this type should take place in the provinces during the month, while waiting for the big national demonstration of the FFMC scheduled for June 14 in Paris..

Eric MICHEL

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