Road safety in Luxembourg: risky behaviour still rife

While seat belt use is widely respected (96% of drivers use them systematically in towns and cities, 97% outside built-up areas), other practices are more worrying, particularly the use of mobile phones while driving.

Mobile phone use while driving, speed and aggressive behaviour

In detail, 17% of respondents admit to ‘sometimes’ texting on their smartphone while driving, and 5% do so ‘often’. When it comes to browsing the internet, 5% do so “often” and 13% ‘sometimes’. More generally, 12.3% say they ‘often’ use a hands-free kit when driving, and 7.6% do so ‘almost always’. The analysis shows that using a phone while driving increases the risk of an accident by 62%. Those under 36 are the most affected, while those over 71 are the least affected.

With regard to speed, one of the three main factors contributing to road deaths, 22.8% of drivers deliberately exceed the speed limit ‘sometimes’ when traffic is light, and 7.2% do so ‘often’. This figure rises to 31.1% (sometimes) and 11.2% (often) when overtaking. When running late, 19.6% ‘sometimes’ exceed the speed limit and 3.8% ‘often’ do so. According to our study, excessive speed increases the risk of accidents by 52%. Once again, drivers under 36 are the most likely to break the speed limit, unlike those over 66.

Aggressive behaviour is also present. Twenty percent of drivers admit to ‘sometimes’ showing hostility towards other road users, and 3.6% do so “often”. In addition, 12.5% admit to ‘sometimes’ driving too close to another vehicle to express their dissatisfaction.

Alcohol: marked differences between men and women

While driving under the influence of alcohol remains a significant factor in road deaths, it seems that this practice is at its worst

The study reveals that 68% never drive after drinking too much. However, this still leaves 32% who admit to getting behind the wheel after a few too many drinks. In detail, 25.5% say they do so ‘rarely’, but 6.1% admit to doing so “sometimes”. Only 0.2% say they do so ‘often’.

In terms of gender, the figures speak for themselves: only 62.6% of men say they never drive after drinking too much, compared with 77.4% of women. In other words, nearly four in ten men admit to having driven while under the influence of alcohol, even if only rarely or occasionally.

These differences in behaviour highlight a greater willingness to take risks among male drivers, despite widespread prevention messages. While women are not entirely exempt from this type of behaviour, they are generally more cautious.

Older drivers less vigilant than young people

Another surprising finding is that young drivers (aged 18–36) are more responsible than their elders when it comes to drink-driving. 80.8% of them say they never drive after drinking too much, compared with 66.7% of those aged 37–79.

This result contradicts the stereotypes often associated with young drivers. It could be explained by greater awareness in recent educational programmes, increased social pressure or greater awareness of the risks associated with road safety.

One accident for every two drivers, with young drivers more at risk

According to the data collected, nearly 74% of drivers have been involved in at least one accident since they started driving. On average, each driver has had 1.8 accidents during their driving lifetime. While the majority of these incidents are minor, they indicate significant exposure to road risk.

Over the last three years, 10.6% of drivers have been involved in an accident. This rate rises to 15.2% among 18-43 year olds, compared with 11% for 44-56 year olds and 8.5% for 57-79 year olds. These figures confirm that young drivers are most at risk, probably due to a lack of experience, higher risk-taking or more frequent driving in urban areas.

When asked about their confidence in these systems, drivers remain divided. Only 43.4% agree that it is prudent to rely on these technologies. However, a majority recognise their usefulness in urban areas (57.9%) and outside built-up areas (61.2%), confirming their complementary role in everyday driving.

These results show that while driver assistance systems are now well integrated into the vehicle fleet, their acceptance still depends heavily on their ergonomics, reliability and ability to adapt to drivers’ expectations.

Road safety: users more critical in towns than on motorways

Part of the survey reveals contrasting levels of satisfaction with the condition and safety of roads. While motorways are generally well perceived, urban roads and coexistence between users are more criticised.

In towns and villages, overall satisfaction with road safety remains moderate: only 30.9% of respondents say they are satisfied, compared with 31.5% who are dissatisfied and 37.6% who are neutral. The most problematic aspects are traffic flow (58.7% dissatisfied) and coexistence between cars, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport (53.7% dissatisfied). These two factors are also the most decisive in the overall perception of safety.

Although better rated, the condition of the road surface remains a source of dissatisfaction for 27% of users. The design of intersections and roundabouts is also criticised, with a third of respondents dissatisfied. On the other hand, signage and lighting receive more balanced scores, with more than half of users satisfied.

There are notable differences depending on the type of residential area. Residents of rural areas are generally more satisfied than those in urban or semi-urban areas, particularly with regard to traffic and infrastructure design. For example, only 12.3% of city dwellers are satisfied with traffic flow, compared with 30.2% in rural areas.

Geographically, the cantons of Wiltz, Clervaux and Mersch have the highest overall satisfaction scores, while the cantons of Esch-sur-Alzette, Vianden and Remich bring up the rear. The canton of Luxembourg, although urban, is in the middle of the pack thanks to good ratings for road conditions and signage.

The results are more positive for motorways. Overall satisfaction stands at 31.7%, with an average rating of 6.4/10. Users particularly appreciate the safety of bends (64% satisfied), crash barriers (66.1%) and signage (62.3%). The condition of the road surface is considered satisfactory by 56.1% of respondents.

However, two black spots stand out: road works, considered problematic by 54.7% of users, and traffic flow, which receives 56.1% of negative opinions. These two factors are also the most influential in the overall perception of motorways, according to statistical analysis.

These results show that while motorway infrastructure is generally well perceived, urban roads suffer from a lack of fluidity and difficult coexistence between different users. Targeted efforts in these areas could significantly improve drivers’ sense of safety in Luxembourg.

A contrasting reality

At a time when Road Safety is seeking funding to continue its work, the study conducted by the ACL highlights a contrasting reality of safety on Luxembourg’s roads. While some responsible behaviours, such as wearing seat belts and using driver assistance systems, are well established, other risky practices persist, particularly among young drivers and men. Using a mobile phone while driving, speeding and drink-driving remain major causes of accidents, often exacerbated by difficult coexistence between road users in urban areas.

Furthermore, although in-vehicle technologies are widely available, they are not universally accepted, and road infrastructure, particularly in urban areas, is the subject of much criticism. These findings call for stronger action in terms of prevention, education and land use planning. Improving road safety means, above all, changing behaviour, adapting tools and rethinking traffic spaces for everyone.