Tailgating, road rage and driving while tired are also still prevalent
Smartphone use, road rage and driving while tired remain common on French roads – but habits are improving, according to the annual report into driver behaviour published by the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation on May 26.
The Baromètre de la conduite responsable draws on an international Ipsos survey of 12,000 people* in 11 countries, and suggests there has been a modest improvement in French road behaviour over last year’s results.
Three-quarters (75%) of drivers still admit to using a smartphone or GPS while driving – though this is down three points on last year.
Verbal insults have also decreased, with 63% saying they insult other drivers (-3 points), and 68% admit to tailgating (-4 points). The number who drive despite feeling very tired has dropped to 39% (-4 points).
There are strong regional differences.
Ile-de-France stands out, with 81% admitting to phone use, 67% to road rage, and 42% to driving while exhausted.
In Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, a record 48% say they drive even when very tired.
Occitanie records the lowest rate of verbal abuse (53%), and Hauts-de-France and Centre-Val de Loire the lowest smartphone use (69%).
The figures highlight that while there are small signs of progress, dangerous habits are still widespread.
The findings come amid increased enforcement following a rise in fatal road accidents in 2024 and early 2025.
Insults, texting and tiredness at the wheel around France
* Internet poll of 12,403 people over the age of 16, including 2,403 French people and 1,000 in 10 other countries (Germany, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, UK, Slovakia, Sweden) between February 11 and March 5.
