The nature of the terrains, the population density and the presence of infrastructures all need to be taken into account when defining the security procedures. The creation of spectator dedicated zones is part of a broad-ranging accident prevention campaign. The safety of the public is a priority concern and is treated with the same attention as for the rally competitors.

Prevention: spectator zones

The rally’s passage will be preceded by an information and awareness campaign reminding the instructions to be followed and required behaviour in the spectator zones. The resources deployed during the rally will be as follows:

• Around 60 secure spectator zones along the route. Six of the organiser’s vehicles will be positioned at these zones. The location of the spectator zones will be made public two days before the rally arrives (via the official web site, local press, etc.).
• 25,000 police officers on duty.
• 15 vehicles and 30 people from the Argentine national security agency will supervise the sometimes massive movements of fans.
• 1 security helicopter will survey the stages from the air.
• A video clip on television and an audio message on radio stations will be broadcast.
• A massive press campaign in regional and national daily newspapers will be conducted.
  350,000 “security” flyers will be distributed along the rally’s route.

Speed checks

Respect of speed limits in force in the two countries, on the link and assistance routes, is the absolute rule to be followed by all vehicles enrolled in the race, assistance or working for the organisers or press.

• The data contained in the GPS are systematically transmitted by a wireless link system, once the vehicle has reached the clocking-in point at the finishing line of the road section on completion of the day’s stage. All offences committed are immediately notified to the officials in charge of enforcing the rules.
• Speed checks will also be carried out by the representatives of the Argentinean and Chilean police, who have been asked to be particularly strict during the passage of the rally.

PCO

All information is centralised at the PCO. Warnings may be received via the Iritrack communication systems, the security beacons or the various radio channels used by the organisation. The key points of the security procedures are as follows:

• 35 people will be working at the PCO around the clock, split between a PC in the field and a PC in Paris. Representatives of the local authorities will constantly be present, able to call upon the necessary emergency services.
• An ultra-mobile medical service made up of three helicopters and ten cars will be available.
• As regards the field hospital, it will be manned by approximately thirty doctors and equipped with advanced emergency response equipment. For serious injuries, air lifts to hospitals can always be performed within a rapid response time.