Local road networks, as opposed to national networks, are used for shorter journeys, are less heavily trafficked and are usually less well managed. We shall limit the description of these networks and simply refer to those who manage them. The State is responsible for 5,100 km of motorway and 24,000 km of Main Road. Local authorities, through the Conseils Generaux ("Departement" Councils) manage 320,000 km of Minor Road, and 350,000 km of local road are managed by the local councils. In terms of risk, 3% of all accidents and 5% of deaths occur on motorways, 20% and 34% respectively occur on Main Roads, 31% and 45% Minor Roads, and 24% and 8% on local roads. The major challenge for local measures in France concerns, therefore, the network managed by Departmental Authorities, where nearly half of the total number of road fatalities occur. Research work carried out in the Eure-et-Loir Departement (French administrative area) (Fleury et al, 1990) revealed the significance of accidents involving a single vehicle: 44% loss of control; 6% involving pedestrians; 23% accidents on straight sections (e.g. head-on collisions), 26% accidents involving 2 vehicles at intersections. (A)
Abstract