Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers some of worst in Europe
Briefly

The latest Ipsos and Vinci Autoroutes' study highlights concerning behaviours among French drivers, revealing that 87% are afraid of aggression from others on the roads. While road rage indicators such as swearing (63%) and honking (54%) show a slight decline, distracted driving persists with many using smartphones or GPS behind the wheel. Notably, incidents where drivers get out of their cars post-altercations have also decreased. This survey paints a picture of ongoing challenges for French road safety and etiquette amidst minor improvements.
According to Ipsos and Vinci Autoroutes' annual 'Driving behaviour' study for 2025, 87 percent of drivers on French roads admitted to being "afraid of aggressive behaviour from other drivers".
63 percent of French drivers admitted to swearing at other drivers, while 54 percent honked at fellow motorists who annoyed them.
In 2025, 13 percent of motorists said they had gotten out of their vehicles to explain to another driver after an incident, down from 18 percent.
Three-quarters of the respondents admitted to using their smartphone or programming their GPS while driving, which raises concerns about distracted driving.
Read at The Local France
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