益普索-2021年欧洲安全驾驶报告（英文）-2021.5-77页_2mb

Summary of "Europeans and Responsible Driving" (March 2021)

Core Content

This report presents findings from an online survey conducted between 9 and 22 March 2021, involving 12,400 individuals aged 16 years and over across 12 European countries. The survey aimed to understand the perception of causes of fatal road accidents, compliance with traffic rules and health regulations, and the evaluation of driving behavior in terms of responsibility and attitude.

Main Causes of Fatal Road Accidents

General Road Accidents

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics was the most commonly perceived cause, with a total percentage of 54% (2021), showing a slight decrease from 2020.
• Speeding was also a significant cause, with 45% of respondents identifying it as a primary cause.
• Inattention was cited by 40% of respondents, indicating a high perception of this as a contributing factor.
• Drowsiness was identified by 20% of respondents.

Motorway Accidents

• Speeding was the top cause, with 46% of respondents citing it.
• Inattention was also a major cause, with 40% of respondents identifying it.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics was reported by 23% of respondents.
• Drowsiness was mentioned by 20% of respondents.

Country Breakdown

Experiencing an Accident or Near-Accident

• Speeding or inappropriate speed was reported by 18% of respondents (2021), down from 20% in 2020.
• Drowsiness or falling asleep at the wheel was cited by 11% of respondents.
• Mobile phone use was a factor in 10% of cases.
• Excessive alcohol consumption was identified by 6% of respondents.

Compliance with the Highway Code

• 75% of respondents admitted to breaching the Highway Code at least occasionally.
• The main reasons for breaching the code included:
  • Rules not always coherent or appropriate (52%)
  • Some rules are only for penalties (29%)
  • Feeling particularly vigilant (22%)
  • Freedom (10%)
  • Experience (9%)
  • Fatalism (7%)
  • Safer vehicle (4%)

Country Breakdown for Highway Code Breaches

Compliance with Health Regulations

• 45% of respondents admitted to breaching health regulations.
• The main reasons for breaching included:
  • Rules not always coherent or appropriate (45%)
  • Vigilance (42%)
  • Penalties (15%)
  • Not falling within the risk profile (15%)
  • Freedom (13%)
  • Perfect health (10%)
  • Fatalism (8%)

Evaluation of Responsibility

• 40% of respondents believed they would be likely responsible if an accident occurred due to their behavior.
• 60% believed it unlikely.
• Breakdown by country:
  • France: 49%
  • Germany: 34%
  • Belgium: 36%
  • Spain: 27%
  • Great Britain: 36%
  • Italy: 39%
  • Sweden: 54%
  • Greece: 65%
  • Poland: 29%
  • Netherlands: 35%
  • Slovakia: 38%

Self and Others' Driving Behavior

• Self-evaluation:

  • Most respondents described themselves as attentive (76%), calm (58%), courteous (28%), and vulnerable (4%).
  • Negative adjectives used to describe self:
    • Stressed (8%), aggressive (4%), irresponsible (1%), dangerous (1%).

• Evaluation of others:

  • Irresponsible (46%), stressed (32%), aggressive (27%), dangerous (26%).
  • Negative adjectives used to describe others:
    • Irresponsible (56%), stressed (34%), aggressive (33%), dangerous (40%).

Driving Attitudes

• "I am in my own bubble and pay less attention to others" was cited by 18% of respondents.
• "You have to be assertive towards other drivers" was cited by 13%.
• "My personality changes when I drive" was cited by 12%.

Country Breakdown for Driving Attitudes

Key Findings

• Speeding is the most frequently perceived cause of fatal accidents across all countries.
• Compliance with traffic rules is relatively high, but breaching is common, with France, Germany, and Belgium showing the highest rates.
• Responsibility perception varies by country, with Greece having the highest percentage of respondents who believe they are likely responsible for accidents.
• Drivers in some countries (e.g., Spain, Great Britain) are more likely to feel vulnerable or stressed.
• Self-perception of driving behavior is generally more positive than perception of others.
• Reasons for breaching rules are similar across both traffic and health regulations, with coherence and freedom being significant factors.

Conclusion

The survey highlights a mixed perception of driving responsibility across Europe, with speeding and inattention being the most frequently cited causes of fatal accidents. While compliance with traffic rules is relatively high, there is a notable tendency to breach them, often due to perceived incoherence or a belief in personal freedom. The evaluation of others as more irresponsible or dangerous than oneself suggests a potential gap in self-awareness and shared responsibility. The comparison between traffic and health regulations indicates similar attitudes and justifications for non-compliance, pointing to a broader issue of rule adherence and personal responsibility in European societies.