Chirac slams bad drivers
French President Jacques Chirac today denounced the country’s high traffic accident rate as a “national scandal” at a funeral for five firefighters killed by a speeding car.
The five were hit by an 81-year-old driver as they helped the victims of a small crash on a motorway in south-east France on Friday. The elderly woman’s car was travelling at 93 mph.
“The heroes we mourn today are victims of a national scandal, a scandal that should end,” Chirac said. “A civilised society cannot tolerate barbarous behaviour on its roads.”
The French government has launched a campaign to crack down on dangerous drivers. More people die on the road in France than in any other EU country - 8,160 people were killed and 26,200 severely injured last year.
