News
03/04/2011 - News : Driver fatigue: beware the dangers!
Driver fatigue and inattentiveness are contributing factors in 30% of fatal accidents on motorways in France. But do you really know what is meant by “sleeping at the wheel”?
Far from simply being tired, “sleeping at the wheel” is due to three main causes:
- lack of sleep
- absorption of some types of medication that have an effect on the nervous system
- medical conditions that disturb sleep, such as sleep apnoea.
The people most likely to be affected by driver fatigue are those who are at the wheel late at night or early in the morning and those who set off on a journey after a tiring day. And the longer people drive without taking a break, the higher the risk of falling asleep.
Do you know?
17 hours without sleep has the same effect as 0.5 grams of alcohol in the blood
24 hours without sleep has the same effect as 1 gram of alcohol in the blood
5 hours of sleep or less the night before a journey triples the risk of falling asleep.
10/29/2010 - News : Fuel difficulties: Cofiroute keeps you informed
For the past several weeks, the supply of fuel to service stations has been affected by strikes at French refineries. The Greater Paris region and west-central départements, which are served by the Cofiroute network, have been hit more severely than other regions in France. Although motorways remain the top priority for fuel deliveries, there may still be occasional shortages, particularly of diesel.
To deal with this exceptional situation, Cofiroute is keeping its customers informed about the availability of fuel at service stations on its network in real time.
Cofiroute’s call centre has real-time information about fuel supplies to Cofiroute service stations. English-speaking operators are available every day from 09.00 to 19.00.
- from France: 0 969 39 26 34
- from outside France: +33 969 39 26 34
On radio 107.7, a special news update on the situation at fuel stations is given every 15 minutes (in French). You can listen to the latest traffic information or to live radio broadcasts from our website.
07/15/2010 - News : Recommendations for safe motorway driving
Cofiroute would like to remind you of what to do when driving on French motorways to ensure you arrive safely at your holiday destination without harming any of the people working daily to guarantee the quality of the motorway network.
Before leaving, check your tyre pressures. Tyre pumps and pressure gauges are available free of charge at the Saint Arnoult car park on the A10 heading away from Paris, at the Monnaie toll plaza car park near Tours heading towards Paris and at the Sorigny toll plaza car park near Tours heading away from Paris.
During your journey, keep your seatbelt fastened, drive smoothly and be aware of what’s going on around you at all times. Remember to take a break every two hours. Stay in the far right lane as much as possible but do not drive on the hard shoulder. Adjust your speed to traffic density and the speed of other vehicles, as well as to weather conditions. The motorway speed limits are 130 kph in dry weather and good visibility; 110 kph in the rain; 100 kph if you are towing a caravan or trailer. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front.
If you break down, pull over onto the hard shoulder and switch on your hazard lights. Put your high-visibility jacket on before getting out of your car, move to behind the safety barrier and then call the emergency services from an orange emergency phone.
You can find all our recommendations on the Safety page of our websites.
07/12/2010 - News : Cofiroute is there to help you prepare your trip and throughout your journey
Use the resources Cofiroute has provided to make your summer holiday journey easier and more comfortable.
Before you leave:
- Consult the traffic forecast for the entire French motorway network.
- Schedule your departure after going to our website to check real-time traffic conditions.
- You can also listen online to the latest traffic news on Autoroute FM radio.
During your journey:
- No matter where you are on the Cofiroute network, tune in to 107.7 FM for real-time traffic information, news and relaxing music.
- For your own safety and for the safety of people working on the motorway, remember to drive smoothly and keep your eye on what’s going on around you at all times.
03/11/2010 - News : Cofiroute USA executed a contract with North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners (NTEMP)
In January 2010, Cofiroute USA executed a contract with North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners (NTEMP) to act as a Managed Lanes Advisor during the development and delivery of the $2 billion, 13-mile North Tarrant Express HOT Lanes located in Ft. Worth. Cofiroute USA will provide reviews and advice related to physical infrastructure, tolling mechanisms, traffic response to managed lanes and information technology operations. NTEMP sees Cofiroute USA’s experience and expertise in delivering managed lanes solutions as a value-added to their project which will assist them in meeting their aggressive development schedule.
02/04/2010 - News : Cofiroute personnel receive a 2009 VINCI Innovation Award
The final results of the 2009 VINCI Innovation Awards were announced during a ceremony that took place on 5 January in Paris. This edition of the awards was a great success, with close to 1,450 projects presented by more than 3,500 employees from 34 countries. That adds up to 33% more projects than in 2007. Cofiroute was among the winners: the Grand Prize went to the Pirandello® model, a software programme that has been developed to help public-sector decision-makers by simulating choices of where to locate people and jobs in relation to urban transport possibilities. Pirandello was developed by the Economics and Traffic unit of Cofiroute’s Financial Department.
02/04/2010 - News : Motorway driving in winter – Cofiroute’s commitments and advice for your safety
During the winter, rain, snow and black ice can mean you have to take extra care when driving on the motorway. Under the terms of its Customer Service Charter, Cofiroute takes a wide range of maintenance and safety actions to guarantee its customers the best possible conditions for travelling on its entire network, whether the motorway lanes, slip roads, toll stations or rest and service areas.
During bad weather conditions, more than 400 traffic officers make sure the motorway can be used round the clock. Our personnel receive annual training in how to make the motorway usable in winter conditions. They use specially developed snow ploughs and salting and gritting machines, and collaborate closely with the police and emergency services, which work on a daily basis with Cofiroute.
Cofiroute provides its customers with real-time information on traffic conditions through the use of illuminated variable message signs all over its networks, as well as its call centre at +33 (0)969 39 26 34 (English speaking, no premium-rate number, available daily from 7 am to 9 pm) and its website, where you can consult the real-time traffic map and traffic forecasts.
To drive safely in winter, make a few simple preparations before setting out:
- Take your safety accessories: a reflecting jacket for each passenger, a window scraper, water and blankets.
- Check your car’s condition: tyres (pressure and suitability for winter conditions), lights, windscreen wipers, water, oil and battery levels. If possible, use screen wash with antifreeze additive in winter.
On the motorway:
- Drive prudently, keep well back from the vehicle in front and respect speed limits.
- Never overtake a Cofiroute vehicle that is clearing snow.
- Stay in the slow lane preferably (the one furthest to the right). It is not reserved for HGVs and it is the lane we clear first.
11/17/2009 - News : Safety - Tips on winter driving
In the event of poor weather conditions (rain or snow), we take significant safety and road surface maintenance action to keep traffic moving smoothly on a viable motorway network.
For your own safety, before starting your journey:
- ensure you have all the necessary safety accessories for you and your vehicle (anti-freeze windshield washer fluid, products to protect door hinges, blankets, bottles of water, window scraper, etc.);
- check that your vehicle is in good driving condition: tyre pressure, type of tyres, lights, windscreen wipers, water and battery levels.
During your journey:
- drive with moderation and keep well back from the vehicle in front (at least 50 metres);
- respect the speed limits;
- do not overtake our snow ploughs;
- stay in the slow lane preferably (farthest to the right), which is the one we clear first.
In the event of exceptional circumstances, our network radio station (Autoroute FM 107.7) broadcasts messages in languages other than French.
11/16/2009 - News : Widening the A71 - Opening of the third lane between Orléans Centre and Olivet
Over 35,000 vehicles a day travel on the A71 between Orléans Centre and Olivet, which is why Cofiroute is creating a third 6 km lane in both directions and building a new bridge over the Loire to double the capacity of the existing viaduct.
Eighteen months after work started on refurbishing the A71 in the south of Orléans, the new third lane running south over 6 km between Orléans Centre and Olivet was opened to traffic on 28 October 2009.
The third lane running north is also ready but will only be opened to traffic when work has been completed on the two viaducts over the River Loire.
The full opening of both viaducts and the three-lane dual carriageway is scheduled for the end of 2010.
07/01/2009 - Press release : Appointment: Pierre Coppey named Chairman of VINCI Autoroutes France
Appointment: Pierre Coppey named Chairman of VINCI Autoroutes France (PDF File 41 Kb)