1.
TV "Dead" people
0.06

2.
SVs People lying in streets (4 shots)
0.18

3.
CUs People lying in road (2 shots)
0.22

4.
MV "Body" on bonnet of car
0.24

5.
MVs Bodies in road (2 shots)
0.32

6.
MV People across bonnet & roof of car (2 shots)
0.38

7.
SV PAN Bodies
0.48

8.
MV Bodies in road
0.51

9.
SV PAN Bodies along street
0.58



Initials ESP/1951 ESP/2011



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The entire population of 16,610 laid down in the streets of the South-Eastern French town of Mazamet, 50 miles (80 kms) from Toulouse, on thursday (17 May) to demonstrate how the country's road death toll last year wad equal to wiping out a whole community. The graphic demonstration was staged for a French television programme aimed at promoting road safety.

The fatal accident rate on French roads is one of the highest among developed countries. Last year, 16,610 people were killed and 380,000 injured out of a 50,000,000 population which dives 15,000,000 cars. Over the last Easter weekend alone, 144 people were killed on French roads.

France has a higher fatal accident rate than the United States, West Germany, Britain and Italy.

The highest fatality rate is on France's authorities (long distance dual highways), on which traffic moves fastest. One person is killed in every five authority accidents, compared with one death in every nine accidents on other types of roads. Frances has no speed limit applicable to all roads, but the wearing of seat belts will soon be compulsory.