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 surrounding 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 slideshow indicates the departments where the speed limit of 90 km/h is again in force. For each territory, the share of the network concerned is indicated.
Source: L’argus. This information is valid as of July 7, 2022, changes are likely to occur in the coming months.
