Citroën funds certified speed bumps to enhance road safety in rural France

As we previously mentioned on Passionnément Citroën, the brand with the chevrons initiated a remarkable pilot project in the town of Issoire, located in the Puy-de-Dôme region of France, by funding the installation of new speed bumps. This local action is actually part of a broader and deeply rooted approach within Citroën's DNA: a civic commitment aimed at actively supporting rural communities in their efforts to improve road safety for all their residents. Far from being anecdotal, this initiative reflects the brand's desire to be useful and close to the daily concerns of French citizens, particularly in areas that may sometimes feel distant from major decision-making centers.

Issoire: a real-world test for enhanced safety

The project took shape in Issoire, where Citroën financed the replacement of speed bumps deemed non-compliant or dangerous with two new certified devices. This first concrete step perfectly illustrates the challenges faced by many municipalities. Bertrand Barraud, Mayor of Issoire, highlights this reality: "Our municipal budgets are very limited, and it is often difficult to prioritize the renovation of speed bumps." Citroën's intervention is therefore seen as invaluable assistance: "Thanks to Citroën's commitment, we were able to secure several sensitive areas without burdening our finances," he adds.

These new installations are not just simple road features. They are "plateau" type speed bumps, specifically designed to meet the strictest safety standards. They are certified according to the recommendations of CEREMA (the French Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility, and Urban Planning), a key public reference body in France. Manufactured domestically, they feature a neat finish in sandblasted white concrete, ensuring not only excellent grip for all vehicles (including two-wheelers) but also high visibility thanks to the marked contrast with the surrounding road surface. These technical specifications are essential to ensure their effectiveness in reducing speed while minimizing discomfort for drivers and passengers, and preventing risks to vehicles (unlike some non-compliant devices that are too steep or poorly signaled).

For Édouard George, Director of Citroën France, this approach perfectly embodies the brand's philosophy: "This experiment embodies the Citroën spirit: proposing ingenious solutions to serve everyday life." He adds: "By supporting rural territories, we actively contribute to safer and more inclusive mobility." Beyond the safety aspect, this initiative also marks an evolution in Citroën's communication strategy. By investing in useful infrastructure rather than traditional billboards at these locations, the brand opts for less intrusive, more human, and tangible communication. It demonstrates its values through action, strengthening its image as an everyday partner.

A call for projects to extend the initiative to french rural communities

Buoyed by the initial success in Issoire, Citroën does not intend to stop there. Since April 4th, 2025, the brand has officially launched a call for applications aimed at all rural municipalities ("communes rurales") in mainland France wishing to benefit from this program. The objective is clear: to extend this positive experiment to other regions and help more communities secure their road networks.

Interested town halls are invited to submit their applications before the deadline set for December 31, 2025. The process is straightforward and centralized via a dedicated page on the official Citroën France website (https://www.citroen.fr/univers-citroen/ralentisseurs.html). A specific team at Citroën will carefully review each application. The main selection criteria will be based on the proven danger level of the existing speed bumps, their clear non-compliance with current regulations, and the urgency of the local situation in terms of road safety (proximity to schools, accident-prone areas, etc.).

It is important to note that this experimental phase has a total allocated budget of €50,000, valid until the end of 2025. This amount will fund the installation of several certified speed bumps in the selected municipalities. Although defined for a pilot phase, this budget represents a significant effort by the manufacturer and a concrete opportunity for eligible municipalities to sustainably improve the safety of their residents without heavily impacting their often-constrained local finances.

In conclusion, this speed bump funding initiative fits perfectly within the lineage of what Citroën represents: a popular, accessible, profoundly human brand concerned with the well-being and daily lives of people. It demonstrates a desire to go beyond simply building and selling vehicles, to become an engaged player in society and its territories, especially rural ones, where mobility is a crucial issue.

This approach, both civic-minded and responsible, brings a touch of originality and relevance to the brand's communication. It enhances its positive image by taking concrete action for everyone's safety. Moreover, it echoes the pioneering spirit of André Citroën himself. Indeed, the brand's founder was one of the first industrialists to understand the importance of road signage to support the development of the automobile, offering direction signs to French communes as early as the 1920s. Today, by funding speed bumps, Citroën perpetuates this heritage of useful innovation and closeness to the French people, contributing, in its own way, to making roads safer and local life more serene. An optimistic initiative decidedly focused on the future of shared mobility.