As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2025, the iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris illuminated in blue, showcasing a powerful message aimed at promoting road safety. This initiative was led by the Antoine Alléno Association, founded by renowned chef Yannick Alléno, whose son tragically lost his life due to a reckless driver in May 2022.
New Year’s Eve Celebration in Paris
Shortly before the start of the New Year festivities, a series of poignant safety messages were projected onto the Arc de Triomphe. Around 11:30 PM, the monument displayed the year “2036,” followed by the phrase: “Don’t wait ten years to celebrate your next New Year,” referencing the ten-year maximum sentence resumed under the new law on vehicular homicide.
Promoting Road Safety
- “No alcohol or drugs behind the wheel tonight”
These messages served as a reminder to the hundreds of thousands gathered on the Champs-Élysées for the New Year celebrations. Yannick Alléno commented, “We have successfully and consensually hacked the Arc de Triomphe! This is the first time in history we have been allowed to project such safety messages on this monument on New Year’s Eve.”
Legal Changes and Statistics
The Antoine Alléno Association has been instrumental in advocating for stricter laws regarding road incidents. The new legislation changed the definition of vehicular homicide from involuntary to a more serious classification, allowing for harsher penalties. Since July 9, individuals causing accidents under aggravating circumstances face up to seven years in prison and fines reaching €100,000. This increases to ten years of imprisonment and €150,000 in fines for incidents involving multiple aggravating factors.
Aggravating factors include violations of traffic laws, drunk driving, drug use, driving without a license, speeding more than 30 km/h over the limit, hit-and-runs, mobile phone use, refusal to comply with police instructions, and urban racing.
Road Safety Statistics
According to the latest report from the National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety (ONISR), 3,193 individuals lost their lives on metropolitan roads in France in 2024. Among these, 529 victims were young adults aged 18 to 24, representing 30% of the total fatalities, while 140 were under 18 years old.
In conclusion, the combination of celebratory events and impactful messages on New Year’s Eve serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need for improved road safety in France. El-Balad encourages all individuals to remain vigilant and responsible behind the wheel in celebrating the New Year.
