If you strolled through the streets of Paris this weekend, you might have caught sight of something quite... unusual. A few days ago, a mysterious artist going by the name "TooLate" hung up about fifty pairs of testicles under the rear bumpers of SUVs all around the city. Yes, you read that right: testicles. Of course, not the real ones, but replicas made of clay by TooLate himself. More than just a joke, his initiative holds a deeper message: to call out macho behavior behind the wheel, which is identified as one of the main causes of fatal accidents on the roads in France, particularly in Paris.
A War Between Paris and SUVs
We know that for several years now, the City of Paris has been waging a war against cars in the capital, especially targeting SUVs. Increasing parking fees for "heavy" vehicles, removal of several thousand parking spaces, reduction of the speed limit on the périph' to 50 km/h... All methods are welcome to discourage drivers from using their vehicles.
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It seems that Anne Hidalgo isn't the only one who wants to target 4x4s and other big vehicles (no pun intended). This Sunday, November 17th, TooLate shared a series of photos and videos on their Instagram account showcasing several of their art pieces, the AUTO BALLS, attached to the back of SUVs cruising through the streets of the capital. This artistic performance aims to highlight aggressive and dominating driving attitudes on the road, which are responsible for dozens of fatal accidents each year, especially involving numerous cyclists.
Denouncing macho behaviors behind the wheel
In metropolitan France, litaine, 3,167 people lost their lives on the roads in 2023(1), including 221 who were on a bike at the time of the accident. An important figure that seems to be on the rise since between September 2023 and September 2024, 240 cyclists have died, representing a +10% increase compared to the previous twelve months(2).
▶️ Nous avons rencontré lundi le ministre des transports avec 7 autres associations
— Paris en Selle (@ParisEnSelle) October 25, 2024
▶️ Le dialogue a été constructif. Une mission interministérielle contre les violences routières va être créée
▶️ Nous sommes satisfaits que le terme "violences routières" soit inclus dans son nom https://t.co/dr8YKTo6fq
In Paris, the situation is sadly similar, with 3 cyclists losing their lives in 2023, compared to just one in 2022(3). At the beginning of October 2024, Paul Varry, a 27-year-old cyclist advocating against traffic-related violence, was deliberately run over by an SUV driver, resulting in his tragic death. This heartbreaking incident has led all advocates for cyclists to raise their voices for a better sharing of the road and for a reduction in dangerous driving behaviors, especially towards cyclists.
According to a study by the association Victims and Citizens, 84% of fatal road accidents are caused by men. This is a striking observation that highlights a persistent scourge. « With this provocative action, I aim to spark a reflection on motorized violence caused by aggressive behaviors behind the wheel. I encourage the public to reconsider how these attitudes can lead to dangerous and often fatal situations. It is urgent, in terms of driving, to undo the social stereotypes that push men to link masculinity with risk-taking behaviors, while also reminding everyone of the importance of sharing the road and urban space in a safe and respectful manner », explains TooLate.Alongside his actions, the artist is selling his sculptures for drivers who want to “express their "courage" and determination to defy safe driving norms, thus affirming their unabashed masculinity .” It’s a quirky way to spark debate about the role of dangerous behaviors in public spaces. “ The AUTO BALLS [are] the ultimate accessory for those who equate size and courage, because nothing shouts 'virility' quite like car balls grazing the asphalt with every turn », he adds.
(1) Source : 2023 Report from the National Interministerial Observatory for Traffic Safety.
ute; road safety (ONISR)(2) Source : September 2024 Barometer from the National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety (ONISR)
(2) Source : 2023 Road Safety Report from the Regional and Interdepartmental Directorate for the Environment, Planning, and Transport of Île-de-France
