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Seniors on the road: how to drive safely ?

Posted on 27 February 20253 March 2025 by parifex@dmin

Seniors on the road: how to drive safely ?

As we age, our driving habits evolve. More cautious than younger drivers, seniors on the road remain more vulnerable in the event of an accident. According to the road accident report conducted by ONISR (National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety), in 2024, 527 people aged 75 and older lost their lives on French roads. While their involvement in accidents is relatively moderate, their physical frailty increases the mortality rate, which is 1.5 times higher than that of other age groups.

So, how can we better protect our elderly on the road?

More severe injuries, higher risk

In the event of an accident, the consequences are often more severe for seniors. But why?
Due to their fragility, injuries are more serious, and recovery is more complicated. What might be a simple bruise for a younger driver can quickly become a life-threatening emergency for an older person. Aging also leads to slower reflexes, diminished vision, and sometimes hearing impairment, which increases reaction times. When a sudden brake or unexpected obstacle occurs, the margin for error is reduced, thereby increasing the risk of an accident. Moreover, chronic illnesses such as heart problems or diabetes can impair driving ability, as can certain medications that affect alertness and reflexes.

According to ONISR, in 2024, around 1,300 seniors were seriously injured on the road, a 7% increase compared to 2023. This alarming statistic highlights the importance of adapting both their driving and the road environment.

Outside urban areas: an underestimated danger

Contrary to what one might think, seniors are just as at risk in urban areas as on roads outside urban areas, where speeds are higher and the margin for error is smaller. 50% of pedestrian fatalities and 51% of cyclist fatalities on secondary roads are aged 65 or older, according to ONISR. Although mortality on these roads decreased between 2023 and 2024, the rate remains high.

On these roads, reaction time becomes a crucial factor. Signage can sometimes be more complex, with less visible intersections and poorly separated lanes, making decision-making more difficult for older drivers. Over time, distance assessment also becomes trickier. Estimating the speed of another vehicle or judging the distance needed to overtake can become more approximate, increasing the risk of dangerous maneuvers.

Seniors on the road: how to ensure their safety?

It’s not about taking away their driving license but rather ensuring they can drive in optimal safety conditions. But what are these solutions?
Regular medical check-ups, as recommended by Cap Retraite, would allow closer monitoring of visual and auditory capabilities, as well as reflexes, to anticipate potential difficulties. Improved signage, with more readable signs and enhanced road markings, could also make driving easier and reduce mistakes, as noted by Silver Éco.
On the vehicle side, new technologies offer valuable driving aids. Blind-spot detection, emergency automatic braking, and lane-keeping assistance help compensate for slower reflexes and prevent many accidents, according to the French institution Sécurité Routière. Finally, tailored training programs, as recommended by the Prévention Routière association, would offer seniors the opportunity to update their knowledge and better understand the changes in traffic laws.

Because aging well also means continuing to drive safely!

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[INFOGRAPHIC] French road accident report in 2024

Posted on 19 February 202526 February 2025 by parifex@dmin

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Vulnerable users: a new driving approach

Posted on 17 February 202526 February 2025 by parifex@dmin

Vulnerable road users: a new driving approach

A harsh reality for soft mobility

When we talk about soft mobility, we expect peaceful, quiet, calm and safe travel. However the reality is different. When it comes to safety, there are many reasons why cyclists, scooter riders and other alternative modes of transport have reason to falter when they take to the road. The 2024 road accident report in France highlights the worrying proportion of vulnerable users who lose their lives on the roads of France or are regularly seriously injured.

Among the users at risk are scooters, which remain a real problem for road safety. In fact, 10% of scooter drivers who are victims of an accident suffer lasting consequences. This is an alarming figure that is constantly increasing.

Who becomes vulnerable to whom?

It is all about cohabitation. The challenges of road safety for the decades to come are to teach users, from light vehicles to heavy goods vehicles and including alternative modes of transport, to share the road environment. It’s a new driving approach and habits to be built between the most and least vulnerable users.

All interactions must now be reviewed and re-evaluated to ensure that all movements are carried out in a fluid and safe manner. What about the regulations that were mainly designed for light vehicles? The new forms of mobility, which are increasingly popular, cheaper, lighter and more environmentally friendly, are above all more exposed to the dangers than a vehicle protected by its bodywork.

Speed, a crucial issue

Roads need to be transformed and this involves defining high-risk road safety zones by analyzing accident and behavior data. Speed is a major issue in ensuring the coexistence of users and providing a more peaceful space for travel, especially when we consider that 60% of deaths and 48% of injuries occur on roads outside built-up areas. An approach based on accidents and behavior is therefore necessary for any development project, particularly thanks to data that makes it possible to better target areas not yet identified as accident-prone.

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Mobility and Road Safety: focus on cycling practices at Mobil’in Pulse Congress

Posted on 10 February 202510 February 2025 by parifex@dmin

Mobility and road safety: cycling practices at the core of the Mobil'in Pulse congress

Cycling practices took center stage at the Mobil’in Pulse 2025 Congress, held on January 21-22, bringing together key players in the transportation and mobility sectors. The congress highlighted the latest innovations in road safety and user protection, strengthened exchanges between decision-makers and solution providers, and paved the way for ambitious new projects.

PARIFEX took part in this must-attend 52nd edition. The French manufacturer seized the opportunity to showcase its advancements in road control technologies and share its expertise on critical road safety issues.

The congress featured a rich program of conferences, with cycling emerging as a recurring and impactful theme.

In light of the recent stagnation in cycling adoption across France, several industry stakeholders — including Energies Nouvelles, Cerema, and Transitec — are analyzing cyclist behaviors through extensive studies and developing innovative solutions to promote more sustainable mobility and user coexistence.

Focus on the main conferences

Cycling in France: a slowdown ahead?

As the transportation sector remains the leading emitter of greenhouse gas in France, cycling is gradually emerging as a sustainable alternative. Between 2010 and 2023, its adoption saw a significant increase, rising from 3% to 11%.

However, 2024 appears to mark a stagnation. To better understand this trend, experts from Energies Nouvelles, public research, innovation and training organisation in the fields of energy, transport and the environment, are implementing observation and analysis tools—such as bicycle counting and bike-sharing systems—to gather precise statistics.

According to an Energies Nouvelles expert, “This allows us to create a comprehensive picture of cyclist behaviors, anticipate future needs, and promote greener mobility in the years ahead.”

GPS data is reinventing urban mobility

Cerema, a public institution dedicated to innovation in transportation, urban planning, and the environment, has introduced a groundbreaking approach to analyzing urban cycling practices using GPS data. This method relies on key indicators such as speed, elevation, and a cycling suitability index, enabling precise assessment of how well routes align with existing cycling infrastructure.

By engaging local volunteers equipped with applications like GPS Logger or IGNrando, the study gathered valuable data. Figures revealed that cyclists in the French city of Bordeaux are predominantly men under 50, using non-electric bicycles.

Moreover, the analysis showed that the highest speeds were recorded on bike lanes and bus-bike shared lanes. “These results have led to the development of a simple, cost-effective, and participatory method designed for local authorities seeking to evaluate and improve cycling practices in their region,” concludes a Cerema representative.

High-quality bicycle networks: solutions for smoother cycling

Transitec, a consultancy specializing in sustainable mobility, has examined the challenges and solutions for cyclists using high-quality bicycle networks — structured cycling infrastructure designed for high service levels. The study focused on two key aspects: intersection design and infrastructure adaptation based on local contexts.

While unilateral lane placement is often the preferred approach, data indicate that it rarely meets the growing needs of cyclists. In contrast, bilateral lane placement proves more effective for high-traffic cycling networks. According to a Transitec expert, “It is crucial to integrate intersections into the overall design of cycling infrastructure and to tailor solutions based on whether the area is a dense urban zone or a less populated region.”

The goal is to enhance the appeal of high-quality bicycle networks across metropolitan France and better address the challenges of sustainable mobility.

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Road safety: towns and cities hit the road

Posted on 4 November 20244 November 2024 by parifex@dmin

Road safety: towns and cities hit the road

In our towns and cities, there are many opportunities to violate road safety and traffic regulations, given the wide variety of means of transport that coexist. This complex environment requires all users to respect the rules of the road in order to reduce, if not avoid, accidents. Unfortunately, this is still far from being the case. Claire Legrand, head of road safety at PARIFEX, takes stock of the challenges facing conurbations in the transition to mobility.

The fatalities on French roads report, released every year by the French road safety observatory (ONISR), states that almost 3,500 people died on French roads in 2023. “Although this figure decreases by 4.2% on the previous year, nine out of ten drivers admit to regularly exceeding the speed limit by a few kilometers per hour, and the causes of accidents are changing, giving way to other types of dangerous behavior”, explains Claire Legrand, Road Safety Business Manager at PARIFEX.

Excessive speed, fatigue, use of the telephone, touch-screen dashboards, etc. – our attention is caught by a host of distractions that take our eyes dangerously off the road. The danger is still there, and it’s not going to go away, not least because of telephone use at the wheel, which now multiplies the risk of accident by 23. Increased braking time, irregular trajectory, too high or too low a speed, sudden braking… are all reckless behaviors for the driver and the road users around him.

As leading manufacturer of innovative automatic speed cameras and red light crossing enforcement systems based on 3D LiDAR technology, PARIFEX’s mission is to support local authorities in the transition to mobility.

“It was obvious for PARIFEX to take advantage of the Salon des maires et des collectivités locales, a major event for mayors and local authorities, to get the road safety message across, says Claire Legrand. On the one hand, it’s an opportunity to review the current state of play in the fight against road insecurity, together with the towns, and on the other, to come back to the introduction of automatic radars, made possible by the 3DS law for towns, whatever their size”.

Because safety on the road and in the heart of cities is not an option, solutions exist to encourage the sharing of the roadway between different users and to make every environment a safe, pleasant and welcoming place to travel. “The 3DS law is a major step forward for local authorities, who now have new means at their disposal to tackle the issue of road safety head-on and take action against the all too numerous road accidents”, concludes Claire Legrand.

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Drunk driving and its devastating effects

Posted on 23 October 202423 October 2024 by parifex@dmin

Drunk driving: a major cause of road accidents

Drunk driving remains one of the major causes of road accidents in France. To combat this scourge, the French government has launched a series of awareness-raising programs aimed at the general public, such as the “Journées de la sécurité routière au travail” (road safety days in the workplace) and interventions in schools. But how much do you really know about the effects of alcohol on driving, and how to behave in the safest possible way?

How does alcohol affect your driving?

It’s no secret that the consumption of alcoholic beverages greatly impairs driving performance. Above the legal blood alcohol limit, peripheral vision is reduced, reflexes become slower and coordination of movements is diminished. Alcohol also influences behavior, making drivers more confident and thus more likely to make dangerous decisions.

Drunk driving has similar consequences to those caused by various distractions at the wheel, such as the telephone, music… In fact, just as the driver’s eyes are drawn away from the road by visual distractions such as a billboard, an eye-catching external situation, etc., the alcoholic driver finds it extremely difficult to focus on the road. Driving under the influence of alcohol is just as dangerous as losing your train of thought.

And this type of behavior can be all the more dangerous in urban environments, where motorists are likely to come across the most vulnerable and exposed road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Behaviors that can make a difference

Raising awareness goes hand in hand with prevention. Through its awareness campaigns, the government uses hard-hitting slogans, such as the famous “Drink or drive, you’ve got to choose”, as well as victims’ testimonials to make drivers aware of the danger. In addition, reinforced roadside checks and the use of devices such as alcohol ignition interlock devices support these actions against behaviours that are still all too often the cause of fatal accidents.

And yet, it would be enough to organize ourselves to prevent the danger, by designating the famous SAM (Without Fatal Accident), that loved one who doesn’t drink during the event, or by favoring the use of public transport or cabs.

Finally, whether it’s alcohol or distracted driving, vigilance and prevention are the keys to reducing the number of road accidents. Awareness-raising campaigns and measures go hand in hand with awareness-raising to improve safety for all on the road.

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Distracted driving: a persistent danger in 2024

Posted on 5 August 20245 August 2024 by parifex@dmin

Distracted driving: a persistent danger in 2024

Distracted driving remains one of the major causes of road accidents in France in 2024. From cell phones to simple conversations with passengers, these distractions increase the danger on the road. The government regularly organizes various awareness-raising programs, from Road Safety Days at work to interventions in schools. What about you? Do you know what the pitfalls are, how to avoid them, and how to adopt safer driving habits?

Fatigue, chatting, technology… distractions in 5 categories

Distractions behind the wheel manifest themselves in many different ways. Understanding their different types and their implications for everyone’s safety is crucial to avoiding them.

First of all, there are the visual distractions, which involve all the reasons that compel us to take our eyes off the road, whether it’s to look at the landscape, wave to someone on the sidewalk, look in the rear-view mirror or observe an action nearby. On the freeway, where speeds are high, a moment’s inattention can have serious consequences. In urban areas, it increases the risk of not seeing a pedestrian or cyclist crossing the road.

Then there are auditory distractions. These refer to anything we hear that can divert our attention, such as a conversation with a passenger, music or a voice message. They prevent us from perceiving warning sounds, such as an ambulance siren or a car horn. In urban environments, where traffic noise is frequent, missing these auditory signals can lead to serious accidents.

Physical distractions are all the reasons we need to move our bodies so that we are no longer in total control of the vehicle. This includes turning our head to talk to a passenger in the back seat, looking for something in the glove compartment, grabbing objects… These actions can be very dangerous on poor roads or at high speeds, where regaining control of the vehicle becomes more difficult.

As for cognitive distractions, they occur when our mind is elsewhere instead of on the road, when we’re thinking, daydreaming… Even if our eyes are on the road, our mind is elsewhere, and this results in longer reaction times. Cognitive distraction should not be underestimated, as it is less visible, but just as dangerous.

Finally, there’s technological entertainment. These can be anything from reading a text message to adjusting the GPS or making a phone call. Using a cell phone while driving is a real danger. Writing a message at the wheel multiplies the risk of an accident by 23.

The telephone at the wheel, enemy no. 1

Among the most dangerous deviations, cell phone use remains the most significant. This includes reading a message, making a call, consulting social networks or even reading a notification. Other situations include tuning the radio, which requires the driver to divert his or her attention even if only for a few seconds, or consuming food or drink, which requires a free hand, preventing total control of the vehicle. Not to mention the presence of animals, whose presence or agitation can cause unexpected disturbances.

These situations lead to longer braking times due to a delayed reaction to an obstacle, inappropriate trajectories which can lead to swerving off the road, inappropriate speed, forgetting to activate the blinker and sudden braking which increases the risk of collision.

But what if all you had to do was get organized…

There are a number of ways of minimizing distractions at the wheel. First and foremost, it’s a matter of getting organized by anticipating important calls before setting off, and setting the GPS in advance. During the journey, the phone can be switched off, put in “Do not disturb” mode if it’s being used as a GPS, and so on. Or it can simply be left out of reach to avoid temptation. And finally, once on the road, concentration is not easy to maintain, so regular breaks every two hours are a must.

By adopting these practices, drivers can reduce risks and contribute to everyone’s safety.

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Dangerous behavior, how to resist the temptation of notification

Posted on 28 May 20244 July 2024 by parifex@dmin

Dangerous behavior, or how to resist the temptation of notification

In 2023, the number of people killed and injured on France’s roads was lower than in 2022. A significant reduction, to be sure, but one we can all be pleased about. However, we are confronted with dangerous behavior every day, whether in town, out of town or on motorways.

Deaths figures are decreasing on our roads

We can delight thath the number of people killed on the roads in France has decreased by 3% on 2022, or some 3,000 people*. In addition, the number of serious injuries has also decreased by 2% on the previous year, or 16,000 people*.

Unsurprisingly, suburban roads continue to account for the majority of fatal accidents, with 59% of fatalities*.

Finally, the motorway remains the most dangerous place to drive, since the number of deaths has risen by 4%, mainly among motorcyclists, pedestrians and heavy goods vehicles*.

Stop dangerous behavior

9 out of 10 drivers admit to regularly exceeding the speed limit by a few km/h. This infringement has even almost turned into a tragedy for 16% of them, **. It’s a fact: dangerous behavior remains one of the main roots of accidents.

Excessive speed, fatigue, telephone use, touch-screen dashboards…, our attention is caught by a plethora of distractions that take our eyes dangerously off the road. And the temptation is great when the notifications keep ringing. Is there any real danger when I am stuck in traffic? How about just a glance?

Unfortunately, the danger is very real. Using the phone while driving multiplies the risk of an accident by 23. And there are many consequences for the driver and for the road users around him, such as increased braking time, irregular trajectory, sudden braking…

Dissuading and protecting

Prevention is better than cure. That is what speed cameras are all about, whether they are educational, speed or red-light running cameras. Above all, they have a preventive role to play. Placed in accident-prone areas, speed cameras make drivers aware not only of their speed, but also of the danger to which they – and other drivers – are exposing themselves when they exceed the speed limit. Above all, it is a dissuasive solution designed to influence behavior: a speed camera instantly makes drivers slow down. And the awareness of a speed camera is enough to make local residents’s vehicles slow down as well.

All have a common objective: to ensure safety and make areas less accident-prone.

*Bilan de l’accidentalité 2023 – ONISR

**Vinci Autoroutes Foundation

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The French Road Safety Observatory unveils the road accident figures for 2023

Posted on 15 March 20244 July 2024 by parifex@dmin

The French Road Safety Observatory unveils the road accident figures for 2023

The road accident figures in France for 2023 have been presented by the French Road Safety Observatory (ONISR).

♦ The road accident report declares road deaths have decreased in France, as well as in overseas territories ♦

Among the main results, ONISR states that:

3,402 people died in 2023 on the roads of France or overseas (ONISR estimate at 22/01/2024). This figure is 4.2% lower than in 2022, and 2.7% lower than in 2019, the reference year for the 2020-2030 decade.
In France, an estimated 3,170 people died in 2023, down on 2022 (- 3.0%) and 2019 (- 2.3%).
Road deaths have decreased overseas. It is estimated at 232 fatalities in 2023, compared with 283 fatalities in 2022 and 254 fatalities in 2019.*

*www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr

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Our environmental approach continues

Posted on 20 February 20244 July 2024 by parifex@dmin

Adapting our activities while reducing our impact on the environment

Mindful of the impact of our activities, PARIFEX has renewed its environmental approach and commitment for the next three years. We have listed an action plan, commitments and objectives which will be analyzed on a quarterly basis.

We are committed to improving our environmental performance and that of our system, protecting the environment and preventing pollution in emergency situations, and complying with legal and other requirements.

Among the objectives we have set, we wish to optimize the electricity consumption of our equipment and set up a company carbon footprint and its annual monitoring.

PARIFEX is a ISO 9001 ans ISO 14001 certified company. Learn more about the certification.

Seniors on the road: how to drive safely ?

More severe injuries, higher risk

Outside urban areas: an underestimated danger

Contact us

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Vulnerable road users: a new driving approach

A harsh reality for soft mobility

Who becomes vulnerable to whom?

Speed, a crucial issue

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Mobility and road safety: cycling practices at the core of the Mobil'in Pulse congress​

Focus on the main conferences

Cycling in France: a slowdown ahead?

GPS data is reinventing urban mobility

High-quality bicycle networks: solutions for smoother cycling

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Road safety: towns and cities hit the road

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Drunk driving: a major cause of road accidents

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Distracted driving: a persistent danger in 2024

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Dangerous behavior, or how to resist the temptation of notification

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The French Road Safety Observatory unveils the road accident figures for 2023

♦ The road accident report declares road deaths have decreased in France, as well as in overseas territories ♦

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Adapting our activities while reducing our impact on the environment

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Mobility and road safety: cycling practices at the core of the Mobil'in Pulse congress