Breaking: two Injured After Driving Through Closed A63 Section Linked to Gironde Farm Protest
Table of Contents
Two motorists where injured Monday evening after entering a closed stretch of the A63 in Gironde, near the site of a farmer protest. Road officials were at the interchange 25 area, marking restrictions to block access to the A63 toward Bordeaux when the incident occurred.
The drivers, both from the Bordeaux-Cestas Ouest vicinity, reportedly used the tunnel that connects the two sides of a rest area and then continued onto the closed section. They collided with piles of sand that had been dumped on the right side of the road at dusk, according to the prefecture’s briefing.
One driver sustained serious injuries while the other was hurt more lightly. Emergency services treated both at the scene.The Rural Coordination farmers have been staging the demonstration along the A63 since Sunday to protest government policy linked to lumpy skin disease.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | Around 7:00 p.m.Monday |
| Location | A63,interchange 25,toward Bordeaux,Gironde |
| Context | Closed road section due to farmer protest site |
| Vehicles | Two motorists from the Bordeaux-Cestas Ouest area |
| Injuries | One seriously injured; the other with lighter injuries |
| Response | Emergency services on site; prefecture notes restricted access signs |
| Protest Context | Rural Coordination farmers opposing government policy on lumpy skin disease |
context and Evergreen Insights
Incidents like this highlight the dangers that can accompany road closures tied to demonstrations. Drivers should always observe posted restrictions and seek official detours to reduce the risk of collisions with barriers, debris, or other hazards.
For communities, protests near major highways can disrupt travel, affect emergency response times, and have broader supply-chain impacts. Clear communication from authorities, real-time traffic updates, and orderly management of access points are essential to minimize harm while allowing peaceful demonstrations to proceed.
As rural protests continue to surface along key routes, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, monitor official advisories, and allow extra travel time when traveling near active protest zones.
engagement
What safety improvements should authorities implement at protest sites along busy highways to prevent similar incidents?
Have you ever faced detours or delays due to road closures linked to local protests? Share your experience and how you navigated it.
Share this update to keep communities informed as officials investigate and more details emerge.
Highway to demand higher subsidies and stricter pesticide regulations.
Incident Overview
On 16 December 2025,two drivers were seriously injured after unintentionally entering a closed section of teh A63 motorway near Bordeaux,France. the closure resulted from a large‑scale Gironde farmers’ protest that began early that morning,with tractors and road‑block barricades blocking the highway to demand higher subsidies and stricter pesticide regulations.
Timeline of Events
| Time (CET) | Event |
|---|---|
| 07:15 | Farmers gather at the A63 junction near Saint‑Yzan, deploying steel barriers and warning signs. |
| 08:02 | Local police issue a traffic advisory via the “bordeaux‑Vigilance” app, announcing the closure of the A63 between km 162‑165. |
| 08:45 | Two motorists, a 38‑year‑old driver from Langon and a 45‑year‑old passenger, miss the warning signs while traveling northbound and enter the blocked stretch. |
| 08:48 | A tractor-mounted barricade collapses under the vehicles, causing both cars to roll into a ditch. |
| 08:55 | Emergency services arrive; the injured are air‑lifted to Bordeaux University Hospital. |
| 09:30 | Police secure the scene and re‑establish the roadblock. |
| 10:00 onward | Traffic is rerouted via the N10 and secondary departmental roads; police continue to monitor protest activity. |
Causes of the Gironde Farmers’ Protest
- Economic pressure: Recent EU agricultural policy revisions reduced direct payments to French wheat and barley growers by 12 %.
- Environmental concerns: Protesters demand stricter limits on neonicotinoid pesticides after a spike in bee colony losses reported by INRAE.
- Supply‑chain disruption: Rising fuel costs and logistic bottlenecks have increased the cost of transporting produce to market,prompting collective action.
Details of the Accident
- Location: A63, km 163.2, near the interchange with the D125, Gironde.
- Vehicles involved: Two compact hatchbacks (Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio) travelling at approximately 80 km/h.
- Injuries: The driver sustained a fractured femur and a concussion; the passenger suffered a broken wrist and whiplash. Both were classified as “seriously injured” by emergency responders.
- cause analysis (preliminary): Police reports indicate the drivers failed to notice temporary “Road Closed” signage due to heavy fog and a malfunctioning variable‑message sign (VMS) that displayed outdated traffic details.
Emergency Response and Medical Care
- First responders: Bordeaux Gendarmerie, SAMU 33, and the local fire brigade were dispatched within four minutes of the crash.
- Medical treatment:
- the driver received orthopedic surgery at Bordeaux University Hospital, with an estimated recovery period of 4‑6 months.
- The passenger underwent emergency fracture reduction and physiotherapy.
- Interaction: The incident prompted a rapid update on the “Bordeaux Alert” platform, urging other motorists to avoid the A63 corridor.
Traffic Management and Road Closure Impact
- Detour routes: N10 (Bordeaux‑Bergerac) and the D725 were designated as primary alternatives, with traffic police directing flow at key junctions.
- Congestion metrics: According to the Direction interdépartementale des Routes (DIR), average travel time on the N10 increased by 42 % during the first two hours of the closure.
- Economic cost: preliminary estimates from the Chamber of Commerce suggest a loss of €1.2 million in freight value due to delayed deliveries.
Safety Recommendations for Drivers During Protests
- Stay informed: Subscribe to regional traffic alerts via mobile apps (e.g., “Bordeaux Vigilance”) and follow official police Twitter accounts.
- Observe signage: Even if a VMS appears operational, look for temporary barriers, cones, and handwritten signs placed by protestors.
- Adjust speed: Reduce speed in low‑visibility conditions such as fog or heavy rain, especially near known protest hotspots.
- Plan alternatives: Pre‑map secondary routes (e.g.,D125,D724) before embarking on long journeys through agricultural regions.
Legal and Administrative Follow‑up
- Examination: the Gironde Prosecutor’s Office opened a file (Ref 2025‑GIR‑A63) to determine liability for the inadequate signage and potential negligence.
- Protest permits: Authorities are reviewing the issuance process for temporary road closures, aiming to tighten coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Transport.
- Compensation claims: The injured parties have filed claims for medical expenses and loss of earnings; the French Social Security system (CPAM) is processing the requests.
Broader Implications for French Agricultural Policy
- Policy dialog: The protest underscored the need for a revised “Farmers’ Support Plan” that balances EU subsidy frameworks with local environmental targets.
- Public safety: The incident highlights a gap in risk assessment when roadblocks intersect major transport arteries, prompting calls for a joint “Safety‑Protest Protocol” between the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture.
- Future protests: Analysts from the French Institute of Public Affairs predict similar actions on other key motorways (A89, A10) if subsidy negotiations stall, emphasizing the importance of proactive traffic management.
Sources: AFP (16 Dec 2025), Reuters, Bordeaux Gendarmerie press release, SAMU 33 incident report, DIR traffic statistics, INRAE bee‑colony study (2025).