Two serious car accidents over the weekend in Monaco have left five people injured and reignited concerns over reckless driving, particularly involving alcohol. The crashes, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday in the Canton and Louis-II tunnels, have prompted swift government action, including a press conference on Monday where Minister of State Didier Guillaume announced a raft of new measures to tackle the issue.

The first incident occurred on the access ramp to the Canton tunnel at around 3.30am on Saturday 14th December. According to the authorities, a single vehicle carrying three occupants caught fire moments after crashing. The two passengers, both foreign nationals, were taken to the Princess Grace Hospital with injuries resulting in seven and 15 days of work incapacity, respectively. The driver, who escaped uninjured, was found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content level of 1.29 milligrams – five times the legal limit. He was arrested and taken into custody pending a court appearance.

The second accident occurred just before 2.30am on Sunday in the Louis-II tunnel. A car failed to follow a curve, veering into the opposite lane and colliding head-on with another vehicle. Quick intervention by police officers prevented the fire from spreading, although the driver of the hit vehicle sustained injuries and was hospitalised. His passenger was unharmed. The driver and passenger of the offending vehicle were also injured and were taken to the Pasteur Hospital in Nice.

Three police officers who attended the scene, as well as a hotel concierge who had inhaled smoke, were treated for minor injuries. Investigations into the cause of the second accident are ongoing.

A deadly history of drink driving in Monaco

The weekend’s accidents are hauntingly reminiscent of prior tragedies on Monaco’s roads. In April 2023, three men died when their car, traveling at over 150km/h, crashed and burst into flames in the Louis-II tunnel. All three victims had been drinking, and toxicology reports confirmed drug use by the driver.

In another December 2023 incident, two young women died and three others were injured when a car driven by a drunk student crashed near the Millenium tunnel.

“Enough is enough”: government announces new measures

Speaking at a press conference on Monday 16th December, Minister of State Didier Guillaume expressed frustration at the recurring problem of reckless and drunk driving.

“We are angry. That’s enough. Stop. It can’t go on like this,” he said, surrounded by senior officials, including Director of Judicial Services Samuel Vuelta Simon. “After a horrible year in 2023 with major accidents and many deaths, we find ourselves, this past weekend, a week before Christmas and before New Year’s Eve, with two serious accidents that could have been much more serious.”

See also: What we know about the car crash in Monaco that claimed three lives

The Minister vowed that Monaco would no longer tolerate such behavior, declaring, “Monaco will not be a playground for drunk drivers in search of a thrill, to impress girls in their car. It is just not possible.”

Road safety reforms on the horizon

Guillaume announced several immediate and long-term measures to combat dangerous driving. In January, the government will pass legislation allowing for random alcohol and speed checks, which are currently limited under existing law. Increased police controls will begin immediately, and radars are set to be installed in all tunnels in Monaco to monitor speeding.

See also: Man charged with manslaughter after fatal crash that killed two IUM students

Interior Minister Lionel Beffre echoed Guillaume’s concerns and called for harsher penalties for offenders.

“The legislation we have today is too restrictive to be effective in the fight against car accidents,” Beffre said.

He proposed increasing fines for excessive speed and alcohol levels, noting that current penalties – as low as €37.50 – are not sufficiently dissuasive.

Beffre also suggested introducing criminal charges for endangering lives, citing the weekend’s crashes as examples of how reckless drivers jeopardised passengers and others on the road.

When asked why the measures announced in February 2024 following previous tragic road fatalities had not yet been implemented, the Minister of State explained that the legislative process “takes time”, adding, “Even if the laws had been in place, it wouldn’t have changed anything in these two accidents.”

See also: Record road deaths force Monaco Police to get tough on drink driving, but how?

Community and transport solutions

The government is also planning to engage with local stakeholders, including bar owners, taxi unions and transport operators, to address the issue collaboratively.

“It’s not about pointing the finger. Our goal is to raise awareness so that people can help us—help us with prevention, with spreading the message, and with distributing information,” Guillaume said.

A communication campaign will be rolled out this week, designed to “shock” and raise awareness about the dangers of drink driving.

Camille Gottlieb, the founder of the BeSafe initiative, was also present at the press conference. She highlighted the programme’s success in raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and transportation services over the past seven years, but acknowledged that more needs to be done to protect lives.

Amidst criticsm that there is a shortage of taxis in Monaco, particularly during peak periods, the government acknowledged that there was a lack of vehicles. Guillaume said that talks were being held with the taxi company this week to potentially double the number available by utilising electric vehicles.

A call for change

As the Principality prepares for the festive season, the government’s message is clear: the days of dangerous driving in Monaco must come to an end. With new laws, stricter enforcement and community collaboration, officials hope to prevent further tragedies on the roads.

“Monaco will not be a playground for drunk drivers,” Guillaume reiterated. “We are determined to make our roads safer for everyone.”

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life