A new study focuses on smartphone use while driving, which is one of the major road safety challenges this year.
Axa Prévention has published the results of the 20th edition of its Barometer, a study carried out by the Kantar institute this year, among 2,475 French people aged 18 to 75, and which focuses on the risks linked to driving, including ‘use of smartphone while driving.
The use of smartphones while driving is on the rise
This survey highlights 20 years of study on the behavior of the French on the road, and highlights the decline of several significant risks while driving, such as high blood alcohol levels or excessive speeding. However, the use of smartphones while driving is strong growthand is a real challenge for tomorrow.
In detail, 80% of motorists said they use their phone while driving in 2024, compared to 46% in 2016. Respondents mainly use their phone to make calls while driving (46% in 2024, compared to 22% in 2004), as well as to use a GPS navigation application (41%). In addition, 31% of drivers consult or send SMS messages while driving (compared to 15% in 2011), and 22% consult their notifications (compared to 15% in 2020).
Mentalities are also changing: today, 91% of motorists denounce drunk driving, while only 15% consider the use of smartphones while driving to be “intolerable”.
Users of company cars and two-wheelers also affected
The trend that emerges from this study is that drivers who spend the most time behind the wheel tend to use their smartphones the most often while driving. Among company car drivers, these are 97% of respondents use their phone while driving57% to check or send text messages, and 24% to continue “working behind the wheel” by participating in work meetings on the phone.
But this phenomenon does not only affect drivers of cars or utility vehicles. In fact, users of two motorized wheels are also affected: 20% of them consult or send SMS while driving (compared to 3% in 2018), and worse yet, 15% watch videos or series on their smartphone while driving (compared to 1% in 2020). ..
As a reminder, using a phone while driving is punishable by a 4th class fine, corresponding to a fine of 135 euros, as well as a deduction of 3 points on the driving license.
The objective of the Axa Prévention barometer is to highlight the risky behaviors on the road, to help improve road safety.
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