Survey points to dangerous decline in French driving standards

Based on a survey by TNS Sofres in February 2011, Axa Prévention reports that French driving standards are deteriorating and drivers seem to have lost their awareness of the risks.
May 21, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Based on a survey by TNS Sofres in February 2011, Axa Prévention reports that French driving standards are deteriorating and drivers seem to have lost their awareness of the risks.

Two thirds of drivers do not stop at amber traffic lights, rising to 94 per cent of drivers aged under 25. Since 2004 the proportion of drivers who feel this poses a danger has fallen from 63 per cent to 55 per cent. Some 54 per cent of drivers to not use indicators, regardless of the penalty, while some 49 per cent of drivers drive in built-up areas at 65 kmph even though 69 per cent feel this is dangerous.

There is mounting concern over the use of mobile phones at the wheel, also reported by Ifsttar and Inserm. Some 34 per cent of drivers use mobile phones while driving, and one sixth use SMS messaging at the wheel. This rises to 39 per cent in the under 25 age group. Some 27% of drivers take the wheel after two drinks. The survey also found that despite awareness campaigns, the proportion of drivers who drive for five hours without a break has risen to 33 per cent. Drowsiness at the wheel is said to be the biggest cause of motorway fatalities.

The slipping driving standards have been attributed to complacency, as since 2003 drivers have become used to obeying the road safety authorities rather than exercising self-regulation.

Related Content

  • US drivers turning to alternative fuel vehicles says research
    December 19, 2012
    Increasing numbers of US customers are turning to alternative fuel vehicles, according to the latest research from Mintel, which shows that sales are up 73%, with nearly 440,000 hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electrics sold thus far this year. The rapid sales growth in hybrid and electric vehicles makes the segment the fastest growing in the US for 2012, supplanting the still fast growing, compact car vehicle segment. The number of plug-in and electric models available to the public has nearly quadrupled over
    Read More
  • Aecom seatbelt and phone use trial expanded in England
    March 6, 2024
    More police forces join National Highways’ safety cameras pilot to detect motorists breaking law
    Read More
  • Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    February 25, 2015
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • Big data and self-driving cars: New studies from ITF
    May 29, 2015
    Two new reports launched by the International Transport Forum (ITF) during the Annual Summit of Transport Ministers in Leipzig, Germany, highlight issues for the transport sector: the use of big data and the trend towards automated cars. The ITF claims that failing to ensure strong privacy protection in the collection and processing of location data may result in a regulatory backlash against the technology, which could hamper innovation and limit the social and economic benefits the use of such data delive
    Read More

Highlighted Content