20 Years of Bad Driving Habits

If alcohol consumption and speeding are on the decline, using a smartphone while driving has become the new plague of road safety.

The publication of the 20th edition of the AXA Prevention Association Barometer is an opportunity to take stock of two decades of bad behavior behind the wheel.

Fortunately, awareness campaigns and the strengthening of penalties have had a significant impact on the French public’s awareness of the dangers of alcohol and speed on the road. In 2004, 14% admitted to driving after consuming more than 4 or 5 drinks. 20 years later, this figure has dropped to 7%. The trend is similar for significant speeding violations, for which today 8% of drivers acknowledge driving at 160-170 km/h on the highway, down from 29% in 2004. However, over 20 years, some reprehensible behaviors have unfortunately not disappeared, particularly in urban areas. 66% of drivers still admit to running a yellow light, a figure very close to the 71% in 2004. Speeding in urban areas also persists, with 69% of drivers acknowledging driving at 40-50 km/h in zones limited to 30 km/h. The city remains the place where speeding is most “normalized,” as among 78% of drivers admitting to speeding, 70% do so in the city.

But a new disruptor has taken an increasingly significant place in the vehicle since 2024, the smartphone. As early as 2004, 22% of drivers admitted to using their phones while driving. 20 years later, 80% admit to this nasty and dangerous habit. More specifically, 46% of drivers report making calls while driving, and 31% consult or send text messages. 22% check their notifications and 12% even read their emails! An astounding figure is that 15% of motorbike users admit to watching videos or series while riding their bikes.

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