Road Safety: A ‘Road Exit Code’ to Better Inform Victims
Faced with the complexity of post-accident procedures, the association Victimes & Citoyens has launched the “Code de la sortie de route” (Road Exit Code). This new tool, available online and in print, aims to guide victims and their loved ones, filling a significant information gap in road safety.
A Stark Lack of Information for Accident Victims
Being a victim of a road accident is a harrowing experience in itself. However, the ordeal often only truly begins once the initial shock has passed. A lack of information regarding the necessary steps, the relevant contacts, and the deadlines to meet frequently exacerbates the distress of already vulnerable individuals. “There is a major lack of information about the procedures to follow,” laments Julien Thibault, founder of Victimes & Citoyens. To address this deficiency, the association has developed the “Code de la sortie de route,” a resource designed to better prepare every road user for the consequences of an accident.
A Welcome Initiative Amidst Concerning Statistics
This initiative is particularly pertinent given the persistently worrying road safety figures in France. In 2025, nearly 244,000 people were injured on the roads, with 16,000 suffering serious injuries. Beyond the physical harm, these victims often find themselves adrift in a complex administrative system. “Every year, numerous victims are left helpless by administrative complexity, deadlines, and the required documentation,” highlights Julien Thibault. “This lack of knowledge further weakens individuals already traumatised by the accident.” The “Code de la sortie de route” thus positions itself as an essential ally for navigating these turbulent waters.
Over 244,000 people were injured in a road accident in France in 2025. © DR
The Content of the ‘Road Exit Code’: Practical and Accessible
This 60-page booklet has been designed to be both clear and comprehensive. It details the contacts to make, the steps to take – even in cases of uninsured drivers – and provides summary tables at the end of each chapter. The objective is straightforward: “to equip every citizen with the necessary knowledge to avoid being penalised twice: first by the accident, then by a lack of information.” After more than a year of work and simplification, the association offers a modern and dynamic tool, easy to read thanks to concise text and bullet points. A second section even includes a ten-question quiz, inspired by the Highway Code, to test comprehension of key information.
The Road Exit Code strives to offer complete information in a concise and readable format. © Victimes & Citoyens
“The guide section needed to provide comprehensive information, but in a concise and readable format,” explains Julien Thibault. “Simplifying without diminishing, clarifying without distorting – that was a real challenge.”
An Interactive Test and Easy Download
The official website for the “Code de la sortie de route” mirrors this testing principle, but with questions that vary on each attempt, offering a continually fresh experience. The digital platform also allows the guide to be downloaded in PDF format, making the information accessible to everyone. The initial print run of 500 copies is supported by the “École de Conduite Française,” a major network of driving schools, aiming to reach future drivers during their training.
The official website of the Road Exit Code offers a test with questions that vary each time. © Victimes & Citoyens
What is the Future for this Essential Guide?
The future of the “Code de la sortie de route” will depend on collective engagement and partner mobilisation. “If the uptake is confirmed and partners get involved, we can consider a wider print distribution,” states Julien Thibault, while emphasising the need for sustainability for an association. The ultimate ambition is for this code to become a benchmark, present in driving schools, businesses, local authorities, and accessible to all road users, whether they are drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists.
The association’s long-term objective is “for this code to become a true reference tool: known by young drivers, present in vehicles, distributed in driving schools, businesses, local authorities, and accessible to all.”
This initiative, which contrasts with a policy focused on speed cameras, deserves commendation. It serves as a reminder that road safety also hinges on better information and increased support for victims, an aspect often overlooked.
Key Takeaways from the ‘Road Exit Code’:
- A free tool to inform victims of road accidents.
- Available in digital (PDF) and print (limited run) versions.
- Offers a practical guide and an interactive test.
- Supported by the “École de Conduite Française” driving school network.
- Aims to become a standard reference for all road users.
- A commendable initiative focusing on support rather than solely on enforcement.
