Do the French deserve their reputation of being aggressive drivers? • FRANCE 24 English

Published 2022-06-23
France is famous around the world for its beautiful sights and delicious food, but it’s also infamous for its aggressive drivers. The French are the first to admit that it can things can get hairy on the roads, especially in Paris. From drivers speeding to those who give the finger, driving in France can be a terrifying experience. In addition, some traffic rules can be downright confusing and getting a licence is something of an obstacle course. In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula buckle up and explore French driving culture.
##driving #france #roadrules

🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE - Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: f24.my/FBen
Follow us on Twitter: f24.my/TWen
Discover the news in pictures on Instagram: f24.my/IGen

All Comments (18)
  • @topliner9534
    When you drive thru small towns they have hidden cameras that measure your speed, and if you are 1 km over the limit, you get a ticket in the mail. Also, some towns have car free zones that will give you a pricey ticket if you inadvertently drive thru.
  • A friend of mine who repairs classic French cars here in the USA, told me the hardest to find- nearly impossible- used parts were all from the front end, because most French crashes were head on impacts from attempted passing maneuvers.
  • As an Australian driver I found driving in Paris a pleasant experience compared to Australian cities where if you're not in the proper lane well ahead of your turn you get honked at aggressively. In Paris where lanes are not always particularly marked you just make your way over and other drivers just let you in even if it's a last minute manoeuvre when you're not familiar with your route. Most streets in Paris are one way so this helps. I must mention though pedestrian (zebra) crossings not controlled by traffic lights are a complete waste of paint as drivers rarely ever stop, so tourists beware of this.
  • @MeganoOdles
    As a British driver who's driven to France many times, I personally think it's mainly a Paris problem, not a French problem.
  • @bananabear009
    One of the worst things driving in France during my 2 weeks road trip as a tourist was the French don’t seem to think that there could be drivers who are not familiar with the local conditions and rules. They honked at you and pushed you over the speed limit all the time.
  • IRELAND does not have " la priorité à droite" it is completely incorrect. First of all we drive on the left so that would be awkward and we also we do not even have "la priorité à gauche". It bugs me when "journalists" do mot even get simple easy to check facts right.
  • Yes they do. Been a week here, never coming back. I've been honked at for going 30 in a 30 zone full off schools and children around. To be honest it was a traumatic experience to the point where i simply won't visit France anymore.
  • @willymeaux
    I rented an automatic car in France and didn’t find it that stressful at all. I drove from Dijon to Lyon. Maybe I’m desensitized from being a Louisiana driver
  • @informatimago
    The point system let us evaluate how predominate bad driving actually is. 75% of the drivers have their full 12 points. Only 25% of the drivers have lost point. That's not too bad.
  • @BLURTHEGHOST
    You should see Long Island, New York drivers😱
  • @zin.nesis1
    100% deserved. And no it is not limited to Paris. Just spent a week in south of France and covered aproximately 1000km. I would call france the little india when it comes to driving. Tailgating constantly, most not showing turn signals, driving in the opposite lanes in turns (and no, the road is not clear. i am talking about the people driving in the opposite direction). I am a good driver and I adapted, (didnt get honked at even once or something) but by the driving culture I would not call this one of the top developed European countries. But the infrastructure is advanced and other countries could learn a thing or two to implement on their roads. So even more suprised that the driving is ridiculous
  • @MrTonyHeath
    Check your information regarding speed limits. It's wrong. Like the priority regulations. Not good enough.
  • The most traumatic and scary is those French little manual cars lol, wow, what a nightmare
  • @agarwalamit081
    There is extreme bias and discrimination in the racist French society where non-whites are specifically targeted. Non-whites also find it harder to obtain driving licenses and are made to spend more to obtain their licenses.