Road safety – Christian Estrosi against the tide withdraws his amendments –

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Christian Estrosi against the tide withdraws his amendments

Road safety - Christian Estrosi against the tide withdraws his amendments -

Disowned by his peers, Christian Estrosi this morning withdrew his amendment authorizing the 150 on the motorway. The point live from the Assembly where the French deputies examine since yesterday the bill on road violence.

Unsurprisingly, the amendment by Christian Estrosi (UMP, Alpes-Maritimes) aimed at authorizing 150 km / h on certain highways had as much effect on the deputies as a wet firecracker. Defeated in advance and "against a current"According to the expression used by his colleagues, the former motorcycle rider defended his amendments with lip service to finally agree to withdraw them before they were even put to the vote. Too innovative compared to the dominant thought, the Christian Estrosi’s proposals aimed in particular to increase the maximum speed to 150 km / h instead of 130 on certain three-lane motorways "when infrastructure allows", in total barely a few hundred kilometers over the entire territory (read, Moto-Net of March 14, 2003).

Christian Estrosi (photo) called it "formidable hypocrisy"the tolerance currently allows driving at 150 instead of 130 without being worried."We must sanction the 131 km / h on a 2-lane motorway and remove the tolerance on the 3 or 4 lanes, such was the object of my approach", he explained, citing the example of Germany, Montana, Japan which has just authorized the 140 on the motorway and Italy which is preparing to increase to 150. Questioned on this point , the Minister of Transport Gilles de Robien declared himself "absolutely opposed to tolerances"and thanked the deputy for"his interesting point of view"."But the objective today is to show the whole of France that it is necessary to respect existing laws.", he said, indicating that the possibility of"better modulate the speed depending on the location"would soon be entrusted to the National Road Safety Council (CNSR)."We may take action later, but now is not the time", repeated the minister, assuring that he had received the message:"the speeds to be observed are not always adapted to the terrain". The government should also soon introduce the concept of"average speed"to be able to carry out checks between two motorway tolls.

"What matters to me is what is specified by the minister today: there will be no more tolerance", concluded Christian Estrosi:"all motorists should know that at 131 km / h on the motorway they are in violation. We got out of hypocrisy, which was my goal. I withdraw my amendment because the debate is open within the framework of the CNSR on the revision of standards, upwards as well as downwards. I consider myself satisfied and I thank the colleagues who supported me because my amendment was voted overwhelmingly in the Law Committee, by the left as well as by the right.".

Mr Estrosi also withdrew his amendment aimed at reducing the maximum speed of heavy goods vehicles, as well as the one allowing to penalize vehicles traveling too slowly in the left lane. "Out of 8,000 road deaths last year, heavy goods vehicles caused 1,000", calculated the deputy considering that he was"fundamental to reflect on the modulation of existing regulations". As for the drivers"driving at less than 80 km / h on the 3rd or 4th lane of a motorway, they deserve very heavy penalties because it is dangerous and irresponsible behavior". These two points were also referred to the CNSR … if, however, it manages to get out of its lethargy one day! Let us recall that this institution, set up with great fanfare by the former transport minister Jean-Claude Gayssot in 2001, has until now rather shone by its discretion…

Eric MICHEL

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