Black streak in Montpellier: in just one week, two scooter riders lose their lives, a third fights against death

Bien s’équiper en trottinette et être prudent : deux priorités à ne pas négliger. ML – Illustration

Black streak on the roads of Montpellier in the space of four days for scooter riders.

This is a dramatic noir series which has just hit the Montpellier roads. In the space of a week, two scooter riders lost their lives while a third is currently between life and death.

It all started on Sunday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m., when the Hérault firefighters were needed for a 40-year-old man, alone involved, having suffered a heavy fall on avenue Auguste-Broussonnet, in the Boutonnet district.

Presenting very significant head trauma, he was evacuated to Lapeyronie and admitted to intensive care. Unfortunately, he passed away in his hospital bed two days later.

Excessive speed

On the night of May 19 to 20, around 1:15 a.m. on Avenue de Toulouse this time, in the Estanove district, another terrible accident occurred.

According to witnesses at the scene, a scooter rider, traveling at a speed significantly higher than the authorized 25 km/h, ran into a lane separation block and hit the sidewalk with his head .

We have just learned that after eight days in a coma, he did not survive his injuries and died in hospital this Monday, May 27. He was 55 years old.

In a coma

The black series could have stopped there except that on Wednesday May 22 around 10 p.m., a 20-year-old from Montpellier had an accidental fall, rue des Baléares in La Paillade .

Investigations revealed that after hitting the sidewalk, he lost his balance and hit rocks that were on the shoulder, head first. Admitted to intensive care in Lapeyronie, he has been fighting death for six days with a very serious prognosis.

Some useful tips

You should know that in 2023, in France, 42 scooter riders will have lost their lives. So, before hitting the road, here are some road safety tips.

Check the condition of your brakes, lighting and bell. Equip yourself with a helmet (even if it is not obligatory), light-colored clothing, retro-reflective accessories and danger spacers. Do not ride in pairs on a scooter, it’s dangerous and prohibited.

No headphones on ears

Do not use headphones or earbuds. They are prohibited because they cut off traffic noise and increase the risk of accidents. Be attentive to pedestrians, other scooters and bicycles, which are more numerous. Do not stay in the blind spots of buses and heavy goods vehicles.

And, finally, drive one meter from the sidewalk and parked cars, to avoid doors opening or children emerging.