COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Monitoring Road Safety Progress in the EU - France Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Report on the Implementation of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework at the Mid-Point
Date: 2026-02-13
Institutions: Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
Subjects: EU investment, France, accident prevention, common transport policy, innovation, road safety, road transport, transport accident, transport infrastructure, transport statistics

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 13.2.2026  SWD(2026) 42 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Monitoring Road Safety Progress in the EU - France Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Report on the Implementation of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework at the Mid-Point {COM(2026) 77 final} - {SWD(2026) 33 final} - {SWD(2026) 34 final} - {SWD(2026) 35 final} - {SWD(2026) 36 final} - {SWD(2026) 37 final} - {SWD(2026) 38 final} - {SWD(2026) 39 final} - {SWD(2026) 40 final} - {SWD(2026) 41 final} - {SWD(2026) 43 final} - {SWD(2026) 44 final} - {SWD(2026) 45 final} - {SWD(2026) 46 final} - {SWD(2026) 47 final} - {SWD(2026) 48 final} - {SWD(2026) 49 final} - {SWD(2026) 50 final} - {SWD(2026) 51 final} - {SWD(2026) 52 final} - {SWD(2026) 53 final} - {SWD(2026) 54 final} - {SWD(2026) 55 final} - {SWD(2026) 56 final} - {SWD(2026) 57 final} - {SWD(2026) 58 final} - {SWD(2026) 59 final}  
 
 
Contents 

1.  Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2 

2.  Road Safety Strategy and Measures .............................................................................. 2 

2.1.  Road Safety Strategy.................................................................................................. 2 

2.2.  Road Safety Governance............................................................................................ 2 

2.3.  Main Safety Issues ..................................................................................................... 3 

2.4.  Road Safety Measures................................................................................................ 3 

3.  Road Safety Progress ..................................................................................................... 4 

3.1.  Road Safety Outcomes ............................................................................................... 4 

3.2.  Road Safety Performance Indicators ......................................................................... 7 

4.  Monitoring Road Safety Strategy Implementation ........................................................ 8 

4.1. 

Implementing progress............................................................................................... 8 

4.2.  Best practices ............................................................................................................. 8 

4.3.  Gaps ........................................................................................................................... 8 

5.  Conclusions and Recommendations .............................................................................. 8 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
France 

1. Summary 

In  2024,  France  was  above  the  EU  average  (45),  with  48  road  fatalities  per  million 
inhabitants. Compared to 2019, a decrease of 2% in road fatalities was recorded. In 2023, the 
number  of  serious  injuries  recorded  was  slightly  lower  than  the  respective  figure  in  2019. 
Compared to the EU average, the distribution of fatalities in France shows a relatively high 
proportion of fatalities on rural roads and killed powered two-wheeler riders.  

France has set the targets of halving the numbers of road fatalities and serious injuries by 
2030  compared  to  2019.  In  addition,  38  road  safety  key  measures  are  included  in  the  last 
roadmap agreed by the Interministerial Road Safety Committee in 2023, which are grouped 
into seven road safety priorities. 

Based on the latest available data for 2024 showing slow progress since 2019, France appears 
to require actions on multiple fronts; this in order to reach the ambitious targets of halving road 
fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.  

2. Road Safety Strategy and Measures 

2.1.  Road Safety Strategy 

In France, the priorities to be addressed on road safety are announced with each meeting of the 
Interministerial  Road  Safety  Committee  (CISR),  which  brings  together  ministers  under  the 
leadership  of  the  Prime  Minister.  The  last  one,  “Driving  safely  and  securely  on  French 
roads”, was the road map agreed in July 2023.  

France endorsed the target of halving the number of killed and seriously injured by 2030, and 
the concept of “Zero fatalities on the roads by 2050” set out in the EU’s road safety policy 
framework. 

Table 11.1: National road safety plan  

Timeframe 

Lead Authority 

Link 

France 
2021-2030 
Prime Minister level, who chairs the Interministerial Committee for Road 
Safety 
https://www.onisr.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/en/road-safety-
policy/interministerial-road-safety-committees 

2.2. 

 Road Safety Governance 

The Inter-ministerial Committee for Road Safety (CISR), the National Road Safety Council 
(CNSR) and the Ministry of Interior via the Directorate of Road Safety (DSR) are responsible 
for the formulation of the national road safety action plans. The CISR is the responsible 
body for the overall decision-making for road safety, while the CNSR involves all stakeholders 
and makes proposals to improve road safety.  

The  ONISR  (French  Road  Safety  Observatory)  is  responsible  for  the  monitoring  of  road 
safety developments in the country. More specifically it is responsible for the traffic crash 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
database and the evaluation of the road safety policies in the country. 

2.3. 

 Main Safety Issues 

According to the priorities set out in the 2023 list of priorities, and based on the crash statistics 
of the period 2013-2022, the following main issues arise: 

•  The increased number of serious injuries (16,000 in 2022) 

•  24%  of  road  fatalities  were  people  walking,  cycling  and  using  personal  mobility 
devices in  2022.  Over the 2013-2022 period,  while serious injuries’ totals  remained 
stable, the number of serious injuries among these road users increased by 19% 

•  Excessive  or  inappropriate  speed,  alcohol  consumption,  and  driving  under  the 
influence  of  narcotics  are  among  the  main  causes  of  fatal  accidents  for  all  age 
groups. 

•  The observation of the factors causing fatal accidents among men aged 18-34 (who are 
the most likely to be responsible for causing fatal accidents) shows that speed, alcohol 
and drugs are often heavily involved. 

2.4.  Road Safety Measures 

A total of 38 new key road safety measures  divided in seven road safety priorities were 
identified by France1. Over and above this, France is building on existing work and measures 
already in place with the aim of achieving Vision Zero. Some examples of the effective existing 
measures are points on licences, speed cameras, fast prosecutions and higher sanctions.  

Table 11.2: Road safety priorities and number of activities 

Priority 

Activities 

1.  Education to improve shared road use 
2. 

Improving  detection,  assessment  and  monitoring  of  unfit 
drivers 

3.  Protecting vulnerable road users and supporting victims 

4.  Working to ensure the safety of all road users 

5.  Combating the most hazardous types of conduct 

6.  Simplifying life for road users 

7.  Taking action to improve road safety in overseas 

Total 

5 

2 

8 

6 

8 

5 

4 

38 

1https://www.onisr.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2023-
10/2023%2007%2016%20CISR%20Press%20kit%20in%20ENG.pdf 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.  Road Safety Progress 

3.1. 

 Road Safety Outcomes 

Based on data for 2024, France was 17th out of the 27 EU countries in terms of the lowest 
numbers of fatalities per million inhabitants. In fact, 48 road fatalities per million inhabitants 
were recorded that year, which is above the EU average (45).  

France disposes MAIS3+ data on serious injuries2. Based on the latest available data, in 2022, 
15,956 people were seriously injured in road crashes, a slight decrease of 2% on 2019. 

Figure 11.1 Mortality rates by country, 2024  

Sources: CARE database on road crashes; population data from Eurostat (online data code demo_pjan). 

Compared to 2019, the number of fatalities decreased only by 2% in 2024 and the number of 
serious injuries decreased by 2% in 2023. Therefore, France currently does not appear to be 
on track to meet the 2030 targets of halving the numbers of road fatalities and serious 
injuries.  

2 European Commission (2024) Facts and Figures Serious injuries. European Road Safety Observatory. Brussels, 
European Commission, Directorate General for Transport. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 11.2 Road fatalities and target 2030  
(Source: CARE database) 3

Figure 11.3 Serious road injuries and target 2030  
(Source: ERSO, Fact & Figure Serious Injuries)3  

Compared to the EU average, the distribution of fatalities in France shows a high proportion 
of powered two-wheeler (PTW) fatalities and fatalities on rural  roads4. In fact,  fatalities on 
rural roads account for 60% of all road fatalities in 2024 and killed PTW riders for 23%. 

3 It is noted that the global COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the CARE data for 2020 and 2021 for many 
European countries. Traffic volumes dropped sharply during the pandemic due to traffic restrictions, which was 
associated with a significant drop in road traffic crashes and fatalities. 
4  European  Commission  (2023),  Country  Profile  France.  Road  Safety  Observatory.  Brussels,  European 
Commission, Directorate General for Transport. 

5 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
An  overview  of  the  evolution  of  road  fatalities  during  the  period  2019-2024  (year  with  the 
latest  available  data)  is  provided  below  for  specific  types  of  roads,  crashes  and  road  users. 
Overall, in France, road fatalities declined for almost all groups examined below, except for 
fatalities in single vehicle crashes, and among cyclists. The largest reduction in fatalities was 
recorded  on  motorways  (8%),  while  the  overall  reduction  was  2%.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
number of cyclists killed on the roads increased by 20%. 

In terms of serious injuries the largest reduction between 2019 and 2022 (detailed data for 2023 
are not yet available) was recorded for pedestrians (14%), while the number of seriously injured 
cyclists increased by 14% over the same period. 

Table 11.3: Evolution of road fatalities, 2019-2024 

%  
in 2024 

% change 
2019-2024 

Fatalities 

Total road fatalities 

Inside urban areas 

Outside urban areas 

Motorways 

Single vehicle crashes 

Multi vehicle crashes 

Car occupants 

PTW riders 

Cyclists 

Pedestrians 

2019 

3,237 

1,034 

1,943 

260 

1,308 

1,479 

1,622 

749 

187 

476 

2024 

3,181 

1,020 

1,923 

238 

1,311 

1,449 

1,518 

720 

224 

444 

- 

32% 

60% 

7% 

41% 

46% 

48% 

23% 

7% 

14% 

Table 11.4: Evolution of serious injuries, 2019-20225 

Serious Injuries 

2019 

2022 

Total serious injuries 

16,248 

15,956 

Inside urban areas 

Outside urban areas 

Motorways 

Single vehicle crashes 

Multi vehicle crashes 

Car occupants 

PTW riders 

Cyclists 

Pedestrians 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

5,173 

5,742 

2,314 

2,315 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

4,807 

5,346 

2,628 

1,996 

%  
in 2022 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

30% 

34% 

16% 

13% 

5 MAIS3+ data. Source: ERSO, Fact & Figure Serious Injuries 

6 

-2% 

-1% 

-1% 

-8% 

0% 

-2% 

-6% 

-4% 

+20% 

-7% 

% change 
2019-2022 

-2% 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-7% 

-7% 

+14% 

-14% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2. 

 Road Safety Performance Indicators 

In France, the use of seat-belts among passenger car occupants is higher than the EU average, 
for both front and rear seats. Self-reported use of alcohol while driving is above the EU average. 
France has a younger passenger car fleet compared to the EU average. 

Table 11.5: Road Safety Performance Indicators, 2022 – 2025 (Source: ERSO, Country 
Profiles) 

France 

EU 

2022 

2025 

2022 

2025 

Speeding6 
% of passenger cars travelling within speed limits a 

Motorways 
Rural Roads 
Urban Roads 

Seat belt & CRS use rates (%) a*,b 

Front 
Rear 
Child restraint systems (roadside observations) 
Child restraint systems (in-vehicle inspections) 

Helmet use rates (%) a 

PTW driver 
PTW passenger 
Cyclist 

DUI of Alcoholc 
(self-reported) 

- 
- 
- 

98.0 
92.0 
- 
/ 

98.0 
- 
- 

% of car drivers who have driven at least once in the 
last 30 days over the legal limit 

15.6 

Driver Distraction a 

% of drivers not using hand-held mobile 
device/phone while driving 

Vehicle Safety 

% of new passenger cars rated with 4 EuroNCAP 
stars and above a 
Average age of passenger car fleet (years)d 

95.0 

- 

10.8 

11.2 

- 
- 
- 

97.2 
83.4 
95.0 
/ 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

93.1 
75.3 
67.0 
- 

97.0 
94.4 
37.8 

- 
- 
- 

92.4 
69.9 
83.3 
- 

97.6 
97.0 
34.5 

11.8 

11.8 

94.8 

94.5 

83.6 

12.3 

82.7 

12.5 

Sources: a Baseline and Trendline projects, b ETSC (2022), c ESRA3 project (2024), d ACEA (2024, 2025), Notes: 
*2025 data only for weekdays 

6 An EU average is not available for speeding, due to different legal speed limits among countries, which does not 
allow for a straightforward comparison.  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Monitoring Road Safety Strategy Implementation 

This  section  is  based  on  the  self-assessment  provided  by  the  country.  Since  France  did  not 
provide a self-assessment, the sections below are left intentionally empty.   

4.1.  Implementing progress 

4.2.  Best practices 

4.3.  Gaps 

5. Conclusions and Recommendations 

In France’s list of priorities for the period 2023-2030, the targets of halving the number of 
road fatalities and serious injuries in 2030 compared to 2019 have been set. A total of 38 
key road safety measures grouped into seven road safety priorities are included.  

In 2024, France, with 48 road fatalities per million inhabitants, was above the EU average and 
ranked  17th  out  of  the  27  EU  countries.  Compared  to  the  EU  average,  the  distribution  of 
fatalities in France shows a relatively high proportion of powered two-wheeler (PTW) fatalities 
and fatalities on rural roads. 

Based on data, between 2019 and 2024, a decrease of 2% in road fatalities was recorded. The 
number  of  serious  injuries  decreased  by  2%  between  2019  and  2023.  Accordingly,  France 
appears to require actions on multiple fronts following a risk-based approach; this in order to 
reach the ambitious targets of halving road fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.  

8