09 Nov
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This is the percentage of additional injured pedestrians on the days following the change to winter time
With the arrival of autumn and then winter, road risks are even greater: night travel, falling temperatures, ice, snow.
When we travel, whether on foot, by bike, on a scooter or even by car, we have to face various dangers.
Travel is also more risky during severely degraded climatic episodes: wind, rain, fog.
Increased dangers on our professional journeys in autumn and winter
Le lack of light is the main cause of the increase in accidents. In the days following the transition to winter time, we can note 47% of additional injured pedestrians, in the time slot from 17AM to 19PM, because of the darkness.
Every year, almost half of the people killed on the roads are killed during a four-month period from October to January.
In addition to the decrease in luminosity, the deterioration of climatic conditions contributes to this result. For example, the presence of fog doubles the proportion of serious accidents compared to the average of road accidents.
Episodes of snow or ice are no longer exceptional so, when the weather makes the roads difficult and dangerous, it is better to be informed and prepared!
How to prevent and protect yourself from winter risks?
The first step to take is to find out about the weather conditions. Anticipating travel and adapting to the conditions announced are essential keys to our protection.
To know the state of the traffic and the possible risks, we can consult:
Since 2021, the regulations impose theuse of removable non-slip equipment (chains or snow socks) or snow tires in certain metropolitan areas from November 1 to March 31. Consult the map available on the securite-routiere.gouv.fr website to find out if you are affected by this obligation.
Then, a few basic rules should be applied to drive more serenely in winter. They are presented in this infographic:
A few more tips
- In regions very affected by snow, the chains can be replaced by winter tires fitted in mid-October and removed in mid-March,
- In the event of snowfall, the front fog lamps can supplement the high beams outside built-up areas and on narrow and winding roads,
- Be careful to use a washer fluid resistant to negative temperatures,
- If you commute to work by bike or scooter, don't leave without your helmet and reflective vest. Also check the state of your lights before leaving, making yourself bright with suitable equipment will also allow you to be visible from a longer distance from motorists.
You can also use the following checklist to check the condition of your vehicle before hitting the road.
Safety is not limited to your workplace, it also concerns your travels.