Sanef 2018 Report on motorway driving behaviour

Affiche forum road safety

The Sanef Group has been observing the driving behaviour of people taking to the motorways for the summer holidays every year since 2012. The aim is to identify the risks taken by drivers and by doing so take action to promote safe driving. The CEREMA Normandie Centre was entrusted with the task of analysing driver behaviour from one year to the next.

The focus in 2018 has been on the safety of motorway staff:

The first five months of 2018 proved to be very worrying with French motorway companies recording 58 accidents involving motorway staff.

Speed

  • In roadwork zones with one lane closed where speed is restricted to 110 km/h:
    Almost 1 driver in 2 exceeds the speed limit:

    • 48 % drive at over 110 km/h
    • 5 % drive at over 130 km/h

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: for the safety of our staff, comply with the speed limit.

Changing lanes

Drivers are informed that roadworks lie ahead through a series of signs, two of which signal that the lane narrows 600m and then 200m beforehand.

  • 47% of Heavy Goods Vehicles change lanes less than 400m from the roadwork warning signs
  • 10% of Heavy Goods Vehicles change lanes less than 100m away, and 5% at the beginning of the roadworks

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: signs for roadworks are given 800m from the site, anticipate and change lanes as soon as possible.

In 2018, we have also observed:

  • Compliance with speed limits in effect

    • 38% of drivers exceed 130 km/h

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: on the motorway, the speed limit is 130 km/h in fine weather and 110 km/h in wet weather.

  • Keeping a safe distance between vehicles

    • 23% of drivers do not maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front 

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: 2 lines = safe distance

  • Not returning to the right-hand lane

    • 37% of drivers stay in the middle lane even though they can return to the right-hand lane
    • At night, it’s even 1 driver in 2

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: I overtake and then I return to the right-hand lane as soon as I can!

  • Use of indicators

    • 35 % of drivers do not use their indicators when overtaking
    • 48% of drivers do not use their indicators when returning to the right-hand lane

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: use indicators every time you change lane.

  • Use of mobile phones while driving:

    • 5% of drivers use their mobile phones while driving

The right attitude to have behind the wheel: telephoning while driving impairs the driver’s attention and increases the risk of accident by 3. So don’t use your phone while driving!