The VINCI Autoroutes Foundation publishes its European barometer on responsible driving

• Very accommodating when it comes to assessing their own driving ((97% use at least one positive adjective), European drivers above all see themselves as careful (75%, and even 82% of Germans), calm (55%, and even 68% of Spaniards) or courteous (27%, and even 54% of British). They are also far less likely to lay the blame at their own door (only 14% use at least one negative adjective to describe their attitude): some do admit to being stressed (10% and even 16% for Greeks) and aggressive (4% and even 7% for Greeks). Indicative of the difficulty they have in being critical of their own driving, fewer than 1% admit that their driving is irresponsible or dangerous.
• On the other hand, they are far less indulgent when it comes to other drivers, as 84% use a negative adjective to describe their driving: 47% consider them irresponsible (66% in Greece), 37% stressed (65% in Sweden), 32% aggressive (40% in the UK) and 26% dangerous (40% in France). This negative perception of other drivers translates into the difficulty drivers have in getting behind the wheel with complete peace of mind or experiencing the road a peaceful shared space.

• 37% of European drivers identify Sweden as the model country for responsible driving (including the Swedes, as 61% of Swedish drivers rank themselves as the best drivers), ahead of Germany (25%) and well ahead of the 3rd ranking UK (12%) and the Netherlands (4th with 11%).
• As last year, the Italians are considered the least responsible drivers (according to 28% of Europeans). They are followed by the Greeks (18%), Poles (15%), French and Spaniards (8%). In fact, these last four place their respective countries at the top of the ranking of the least responsible drivers.

• 80% of Europeans state that they are afraid of the aggressive behaviour of other drivers. This feeling is particularly marked in France, Spain and Greece (85%), but less so in the Netherlands (65%).
• 54% admit to having sworn at another driver. This is notably the case for 70% of Greeks (although down 4 points on 2015), but just 29% of Swedes.
• 47% sound their horn excessively at drivers who annoy them; a very widespread practice in Spain (66%), but far less so in Germany (29%).
• 30% admit to tailgating (44% of Greeks, down 5 points) or overtaking on the inside lane on the motorway (39% of Spaniards, British and Dutch).
• 16% even get out of their car to argue with another driver (26% in Poland).

• Speeding: 90% of Europeans admit they sometimes exceed the speed limit by a few kilometres/hour despite 45% believing that speeding is one of the main causes of road fatalities. The Slovaks are the least likely to admit to this infringement (83%), contrary to German and Swedish drivers (94%).
• Maintaining a safe distance with the car ahead: 63% fail to comply with this rule; a dangerous practice that is particularly widespread in France (76%) Sweden (75%) and Germany (73%), but far less so in the Netherlands (53%) and Poland (56%).
• Indicating: 55% of European drivers forget to indicate when overtaking or changing lanes. Flouting this rule is notably common in France (65%), but far less so in Slovakia and Poland (45%). The British (51%) and Spaniards (55%) have made progress in this area, as both are down 8 points compared with last year.
• Motorway driving: 55% of Europeans drive in the outside lane despite the inside lane being free of traffic; this practice is very widespread in Greece (75% of drivers). 10% of Europeans drive in the emergency stopping lane.
• Road works: 53% of Europeans fail to slow down around road works; a practice that is particularly prevalent in Belgium (66%).
• Seat belts: 22% of European drivers say they sometimes forget to wear their seat belt when driving. The most lax in this area are the Greeks (52%), and the most rigorous are the French and British (8%).
• Drink and drug driving: 11% of European drivers get behind the wheel despite being over the legal limit. As many as 33% do so in Greece, 24% in Belgium and 16% in France; the most sensible are the Slovaks and Swedes (2%). Greek and Belgian drivers only decide not to drive after drinking 2.7 standard drinks on average, compared with the European average of 2.

Connected objects, now part of drivers’ everyday life, are have an increasing effect on risky driver behaviour, despite Europeans quoting inattentiveness as one of the main causes of fatalities (52% on general roads and 31% on motorways).

• While 74% of Europeans are in favour of a complete ban on telephoning while driving, 32% fail to use a hands-free kit. The worst offenders are the Greeks (55%) Slovaks (50%) and Poles (48%, although this figure is down 8 points on 2015).
• 31% telephone using earbuds or headphones. Greeks top the ranking at 52%, just ahead of the Italians (51%). The British, the most in favour a complete ban on telephoning while driving, are also the most disciplined in this area, as just 12% telephone while driving.
• 42% of drivers use a Bluetooth system with integrated loud-speaker (55% of Greeks and 48% of Italians). 
• 37% adjust their GPS settings while driving. Germans are most likely to engage in this practice (48%, although down 3 points on 2015), followed by the Poles (46%) and Belgians (45%).
• One-quarter of all drivers send and/or read texts or emails; the Italians top the list at 34%. The British continue to be the most sensible drivers in this respect (15%).
• 15% warn others about an event using a smartphone app or driving aid while driving (25% of Greeks and Slovaks compared with 5% British drivers).