Prefecture in south-west France launches ‘accidentoscope’ to improve road safety: what is this?

A department in south-west France is set to release driving accident data at monthly intervals in a bid to improve road safety. 

The Dordogne prefecture hopes the stark reminder of the dangers of not following road rules will help drivers keep to the law, as the majority of accidents are caused by those in contravention of the regulations.

The prefecture released the first of its monthly ‘Accidentoscope’ graphics last week, showing the number of injuries and fatalities in the department in August 2025 compared to August 2024. 

Last month, 26 people were killed in road accidents in the department – an increase of 4% on last year’s figures – and physical injuries from accidents (accidents corporels) were up 12%.

This monthly update will be available through official social media pages as well as the official prefecture website. 

It uses official information gathered from the Sécurité routière and includes all accidents. 

In-depth data

Alongside the key information all deaths are detailed by gender as well as age and whether the accident took place in a built-up urban area or on rural roads.

Additional data shows the cause of all accidents, with major factors including speeding (37 accidents), drink-driving (31 accidents), changing lanes (14 accidents) and dangerous overtaking (10 accidents).

Driving on the wrong side of the road caused five accidents. 

Together with the monthly information, which the prefecture hopes will cause drivers to be more careful on the roads, police will take a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to any driving offences. 

The initiative comes as the nearby Landes department is considering a plan to suspend driving licences of those caught using their phones while driving. This caused two accidents in the Dordogne in August.