Lowering the speed from 90 to 80 km/h on two-way roads will therefore never end to raise countless debates. Madness for some, guarantee of safety for others… This measure implemented in 2018 does not seem to have convinced all French motorists.
Reduce driver speed on two-way stretches? The idea dates back to 2013. The new regulations finally come into force, by decree, on July 15, 2018. The objective of this evolution of the Highway Code seems clear: to reduce mortality on the roads of the Hexagon.
To reduce the number of accidents, the choice is made to target two-way roads, those with two lanes and “without a central separator”, explains the Road Safety website. This part of the road network would indeed be the most deadly, comprising “55% of mortality”. The hope around this measure is very great. According to the committee of experts of the National Road Safety Council, lowering the maximum speed from 90 to 80 km/h would save “between 300 and 400 lives” per year.
However, this quantified argument does not seem to hit the bull’s eye with some drivers. This is even one of the demands of the Yellow Vests movement. Several departments then decided to return to 90 km/h. An option made possible by the Mobility Orientation Law, promulgated in December 2019.
As France Bleu explains, the text authorizes “the presidents of departmental councils” to raise the “maximum speed to 90 km / h” instead of 80. The decision must still be justified and argued. The state therefore retains some control. So find, in the slideshow below, the departments where the 90 km / h limitation has fully or partially returned.
The debate continues. According to information from Ouest France, the speed limit is again set at 80km/h on the roads of Calvados. This modification, while the 90km / h had made their return, finds its origin in a decision of the administrative justice after an appeal of the League against road violence. The Departmental Council will not appeal this decision, but is requesting accident studies on the 28 sections of roads concerned.
“Speed is the leading cause of fatal accidents in France” recalls the website securite-routière.gouv.fr. It is this reason which explains the decision of the authorities to limit the speed to 80 km/h. According to figures from the government website, this provision would have saved 349 lives over 20 months. As reported by the Journal du Dimanche, these figures are however disputed by motorist associations.
The slideshow indicates the departments where the speed limit of 90 km/h is again in force. For each territory, it is indicated whether the whole network is concerned or just a part.
Source: Franroid. This information is valid as of March 20, 2023, changes are likely to occur in the coming months.