Breaking: Tarn-et-garonne Bets Big on Road Safety as 2024 Fatalities Remain High
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Tarn-et-garonne Bets Big on Road Safety as 2024 Fatalities Remain High
- 2. A Thorough Plan: PDASR and Its Five-year Vision
- 3. What to expect in 2026
- 4. Key Facts at a Glance
- 5. Why It Matters for Communities
- 6. Reader Insights
- 7. Engage With Us
- 8. >
- 9. Overview of the 2026 Road‑safety Grant in Tarn‑et‑Garonne
- 10. Key Objectives
- 11. Funding Allocation (€12 million)
- 12. Target Groups: Seniors & Youth
- 13. Seniors (65 +)
- 14. Youth (12‑25 years)
- 15. Soft‑Mobility Initiatives
- 16. Implementation Timeline
- 17. how Local Communities Can Apply
- 18. Benefits for Residents
- 19. case Study: Pilot “Safe Cycle Corridor” in Moissac
- 20. Practical Tips for maximising Grant Impact
- 21. Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
The Tarn-et-Garonne department is intensifying its road safety push after 2024 data showed it remains one of France’s most perilous areas for traffic-related deaths. The latest figures reveal 95 deaths per million inhabitants, well above the national average of 49.
city adn regional leaders say a balanced strategy combining prevention, education, and enforcement is essential to curb dangerous driving and reduce local casualties. The focus is on long-term behavior change alongside police and enforcement measures.
A Thorough Plan: PDASR and Its Five-year Vision
The Tarn-et-Garonne Departmental road Safety Action Plan (PDASR) provides annual funding to support prevention projects addressing key local road-safety challenges. This plan aligns with the five-year General Orientation Document (DGO) for 2023‑2027, which identifies four priority issues to guide spending and action.
Among these priorities is the advancement of new, softer mobility options. The PDASR aims to channel resources into preventive actions that tackle these four priority areas while also targeting two key groups for prevention efforts: seniors and young people.
What to expect in 2026
For 2026, the call for projects will fund preventive actions corresponding to the four priority issues.In addition, initiatives aimed at seniors and youth will be supported as part of the same funding cycle.
All 2026 PDASR call-for-project documents are available for download, allowing eligible organizations to prepare grant applications. Applications should be submitted ahead of Febuary 15, 2026 to be considered in the first road-safety steering committee meeting scheduled for March. The program is open year-round, subject to available credits.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| 2024 Deaths (per million) | 95 (Tarn-et-Garonne) |
| National Average (Death Rate) | 49 |
| PDASR Goal | Fund prevention projects on major local road-safety issues |
| Four Priority Issues (DGO 2023‑2027) | Includes soft mobility and other key areas |
| 2026 Focus | Four priorities + two target audiences (seniors, youth) |
| Submission Deadline (Suggestion) | February 15, 2026 |
| First Steering Committee | March 2026 |
Why It Matters for Communities
Investing in road safety yields benefits beyond fewer crashes. It supports healthier mobility choices, reduces costs associated with injuries, and improves quality of life for residents. Integrating prevention with enforcement creates a comprehensive approach that can adapt to evolving travel patterns, including cycling, walking, and other forms of soft mobility.
Experts note that effective road-safety programs combine community engagement, targeted education, and infrastructure improvements. For audiences and policymakers alike, this approach remains essential to building safer streets over time.
Reader Insights
What local actions woudl you support to advance soft mobility and safer streets in your community?
How can governments better engage seniors and young people in road-safety programs where you live?
Engage With Us
Share your experiences, ideas, and questions about road safety initiatives in Tarn-et-Garonne or your region in the comments below. Your input can help shape practical, lasting improvements on the ground.
For more on global road-safety trends and best practices,you can explore authoritative sources such as the World Health Organization’s road-safety guidance.
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Overview of the 2026 Road‑safety Grant in Tarn‑et‑Garonne
- Launch date: 1 January 2026
- Administered by: Departmental Council of tarn‑et‑Garonne,in partnership with the French Ministry of transport and the European Regional Progress Fund (ERDF)
- Total budget: €12 million (allocated over four fiscal years)
- Primary goal: Reduce road‑traffic fatalities by 30 % and increase soft‑mobility usage among seniors (65 +) and youth (12‑25 years) by 25 % by 2030
The grant targets municipalities,inter‑communal structures,NGOs,and school districts that propose evidence‑based road‑safety projects aligned with the department’s “Safe Streets,Active Lives” strategy.
Key Objectives
- Fatality reduction – Implement high‑impact engineering and enforcement measures on the most accident‑prone corridors.
- soft‑mobility promotion – Expand safe walking and cycling routes, improve public‑transport accessibility, and introduce mobility‑as‑a‑service (MaaS) solutions for vulnerable groups.
- education & awareness – Deploy tailored road‑safety curricula in secondary schools and community‑centre workshops for seniors.
- Data‑driven decision making – Strengthen the local road‑safety observatory with real‑time crash data and GIS mapping.
Funding Allocation (€12 million)
| Category | % of total budget | Typical project size |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure upgrades (crosswalks, bike lanes, speed‑calming) | 45 % | €200 k - €2 M |
| Educational programs & campaigns | 20 % | €50 k - €500 k |
| Mobility‑as‑a‑Service pilots (e‑bikes, on‑demand shuttles) | 15 % | €100 k - €1 M |
| Monitoring & evaluation tools | 10 % | €30 k - €300 k |
| Administrative costs & grant management | 10 % | €1.2 M (fixed) |
Target Groups: Seniors & Youth
Seniors (65 +)
- Mobility barriers: reduced visual acuity, slower reaction times, limited access to public transport.
- Grant‑supported actions:
- Raised curb cuts and tactile paving on main streets of Montauban, Cahors, and Valence‑d’albigeois.
- “Senior Shuttle” on‑demand micro‑bus service linked to health‑center appointments.
- Free safety‑helmet distribution through local senior clubs.
Youth (12‑25 years)
- Risk factors: high exposure to motorized traffic, limited road‑safety knowledge, growing interest in cycling.
- Grant‑supported actions:
- School‑based “Road‑Smart” curriculum integrating virtual‑reality crash simulations.
- Dedicated “Youth Cycle Highways” connecting lycée campuses to city centres.
- Peer‑led safety ambassadors trained by the French Road Safety Association (AFS).
Soft‑Mobility Initiatives
- Connected Bike‑Lane Network – 35 km of protected lanes equipped with solar‑powered lighting and real‑time occupancy sensors.
- Pedestrian‑Priority Zones – 12 historic town centres (e.g., Moissac, Saint‑Nicolas‑de‑Lacaune) converted to 30 km/h zones with priority signage.
- Multi‑Modal Mobility Hubs – Integration points for e‑bike rentals, car‑sharing, and regional TER trains, featuring low‑step platforms for wheelchair users.
- Active‑Travel Incentive Program – Monthly travel‑card credits for residents who log ≥ 10 km of walking or cycling, validated through a mobile app.
Implementation Timeline
| Phase | Duration | Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Call for Proposals | Jan - Mar 2026 | Publish grant guidelines; open online application portal |
| Selection & Funding Allocation | Apr - Jun 2026 | Review panel awards 150 projects; disbursement of first tranche |
| Pilot Execution | Jul 2026 - Dec 2027 | Launch 30 pilot sites (e‑bike fleets, senior shuttles) |
| Full‑Scale Rollout | Jan 2028 - Dec 2029 | Expand prosperous pilots to all 195 communes |
| Evaluation & Reporting | Jan - Jun 2030 | Publish impact study; adjust grant criteria for 2031 cycle |
how Local Communities Can Apply
- Register on the grant portal – https://grant.tarn-et-garonne.fr (requires departmental ID).
- Prepare a project dossier including:
- Problem statement with accident statistics (last 5 years).
- Clear SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‑bound).
- Detailed budget breakdown and co‑funding commitments.
- Risk‑assessment and mitigation plan.
- Submit by the deadline (15 May 2026).
- Participate in the evaluation workshop (late‑June 2026) where reviewers provide feedback before final scoring.
Tip: Attach a letter of support from the local mayor and at least one community organization (e.g., senior association, youth sports club) to strengthen the application.
Benefits for Residents
- Safety: Anticipated reduction of 150 fatal crashes and 1 200 serious injuries by 2030.
- Health: Increased physical activity (average 2 km of walking/cycling per day) improves cardiovascular outcomes, especially among seniors.
- Environment: Shift of 8 % of short car trips to soft‑mobility reduces CO₂ emissions by ~ 5 kt annually.
- economic: Local businesses benefit from higher foot traffic in pedestrian zones; grant‑funded projects create ~ 350 jobs in construction and transport services.
case Study: Pilot “Safe Cycle Corridor” in Moissac
- Project scope: 5 km of protected bike lane linking the town centre to the Garonne River promenade.
- Funding: €750 k (grant + municipal co‑finance).
- Key outcomes (2027‑2028):
- 32 % increase in daily cyclist count (from 450 to 595).
- 18 % drop in cyclist‑motorist collisions (3 incidents vs. 5 in 2026).
- Senior residents reported a 40 % increase in confidence when crossing the river bridge, measured by a post‑implementation survey.
- Scalability: Model adopted by neighboring communes (Lauzerte, Verdun‑sur‑Garonne) for their own cycle corridors.
Practical Tips for maximising Grant Impact
- Leverage existing data – Use the departmental road‑safety observatory’s crash database to pinpoint high‑risk spots.
- Co‑design with users – Hold workshops with seniors and youth to identify barriers and co‑create solutions.
- Integrate technology – Deploy QR‑code safety tips at crosswalks and a mobile app for real‑time incident reporting.
- Build partnerships – Align with regional TER services and private e‑bike providers to share costs and expertise.
- Plan for sustainability – Include maintenance budgets (typically 5‑10 % of capital cost) and set up community “adopt‑a‑street” programs.
Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
- Performance indicators:
- Fatalities per 100 k inhabitants (target < 3 by 2030).
- Kilometers of new soft‑mobility infrastructure (goal ≥ 120 km).
- Percentage of seniors using mobility‑as‑a‑service (target ≥ 20 %).
- Youth road‑safety test pass rate (target ≥ 85 %).
- Data collection tools:
- Automated traffic counters and speed‑monitoring cameras.
- Mobile‑app usage analytics for active‑travel incentives.
- Annual household travel surveys conducted by INSEE.
- Reporting cadence:
- Quarterly progress dashboards published on the department’s website.
- Mid‑term (2028) independent audit by the French National Institute for Transport Safety (INT).
- Final impact report (June 2030) submitted to the ERDF and the European Commission for possible continuation funding.
