11:34 am, this Tuesday, August 19, route de Bénodet in Quimper. Six police officers have barely posted by the roadside for an ordinary control. “We have a positive ethylo,” said one of them already. The 68 -year -old offender is hard on his legs. His small dog and are embarked in the van towards the police station for more extensive measures.
The Finistère prefecture has requested, since the beginning of the summer, a multiplication of controls. The figures speak for themselves. “This year, we record 31 deaths on the roads against 14 at the same period last year, Cadre François Drape, secretary general and sub-prefect of the district of Quimper. We can say that we lead badly in Finistère but, in fact, it is a national trend ”.
Weather, “summer relaxation” … The authorities are struggling to analyze the phenomenon but the factors are known. “There is, of course, the speed, the refusal of priority, the crossing of white lines but also the distractors such as the programming of the GPS or the reading of an email behind the wheel”. Speed, alcohol and narcotics are a deadly cocktail clearly in the sights of the police. “Recently, a youngster was the victim of a fatal accident in Combrit. He was under the empire of alcohol and narcotics, ”said the sub-prefect.
Reported on social networks
Whistle in their mouths, the police randomly control the drivers circulating this Tuesday noon, from Bénodet and reach the Moulin des Landes area in Quimper.
“I arrived from Clohars-Fouesnant and I went to my mother in Pluguffan, explains a motorist diverted by the police. This is the first time it happens to me. I am not worried, I am in good standing ”. And, indeed, after control of the papers, she is quickly allowed to leave. “It’s good, thank you very much Madame!” ».
Vacationers as inhabitants of the sector, drivers stop without flinching and tend their papers without difficulty, with a smile for some. Commander Louarn, head of the local public security service, supervises the operation. “These checks are regular. There are several every day. We notice a lot of behaviors with alcohol and use of cocaine, which increases the risk of accident ”.
Only a few minutes after the control start, the commander shows the screen of his phone. On social networks, the sector is covered with blue to point out the police presence. “It’s deplorable but it’s like that,” he comments, fatalistic.
“These are broken families”
François Drape warns. “We have two levers. The preventive component and the repressive component, with the prosecution. The prefect reflects on stronger repressive devices with a coordinated control plan with the police, the gendarmerie or even customs. Over 150 km, social networks will no longer be reliable because there will be controls everywhere ”.
The commander and the secretary general know why they act: “When you arrive at a place of accident, it is horrible. They are broken families ”.
An hour after his control, the positive driver with alcohol at 11:34 am is brought back from the police station, with his dog. “Its rate was measured at 0.30 mg/liter of air (Editor’s note, 0.60 g in the blood). A contravention rate earned him the withdrawal of six points, a fine of € 90 and the immobilization of his vehicle. ” He will not go back to the wheel today. The police renew him at home.