According to the 2024 barometer from the MAIF Foundation and Ergocentre, 83% of 18-35 year olds use their smartphone while driving, a worrying behavior but often accompanied by an increased awareness of risks. These young people say they are in favor of radical preventive solutions, such as a total ban on smartphones in cars. The study highlights a crucial road safety issue, particularly as the holidays approach, a period conducive to travel.
However, this age group paradoxically seems more aware of the risks. While dangerous behaviors such as writing messages or surfing the Internet remain marginal (11% and 6% respectively), the young people questioned appear to be sensitive to awareness campaigns and “near accidents», these dangerous situations narrowly avoided. Nearly a third of them (30%) even say they are in favor of a total ban on smartphones while driving, including hands-free mode, a solution that their elders more often perceive as too restrictive.
The holiday season, marked by an increase in travel, accentuates the importance of these questions. In 2023, 24% of injury accidents were linked to a driver’s lack of attention, often caused by telephone use, according to an Allianz France-CSA study. The MAIF Foundation, through its director Marc Rigolot, insists on the urgency of acting: “This data must encourage all stakeholders to design appropriate campaigns and co-construct effective solutions. »
Despite the progress observed, there is still a long way to go to reduce these behaviors. Awareness and preventative measures, such as apps that block in-car notifications, could play a key role in the future of road safety, especially for this connected generation.
Belgium
