the battle against the smartphone has begun

Monday 16th December 2024 08:09 AM

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.

Using smartphones while driving remains a very widespread habit among 18-35 year olds. According to the 7th edition of the MAIF Foundation and Ergocentre barometer, 83% of young drivers say they use their phone while driving, whether to consult a GPS, listen to music or respond to messages. This figure highlights a daily dependence, which does not stop at the threshold of the automobile. “We reproduce in our cars our operating habits outside», explains Samuel Aupetit, researcher at Ergocentre.

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