France rural roads identified as high-risk for fatal accidents

A study by DEKRA highlights a concerning trend in French road safety, revealing that rural and non-urban roads are significantly more dangerous than motorways or urban areas. In 2025, 60.4% of road fatalities (1,973 deaths) occurred on the non-urban network, compared to 31.6% in urban areas and 7.9% on motorways.

Within rural sectors, 71% of fatalities are recorded, with 70% of those occurring on departmental roads. Karine Bonnet, Director General of DEKRA Automotive, noted that two-way rural roads are particularly lethal due to narrow lanes, unstable or non-existent shoulders, and visibility issues caused by seasonal crops.

The study also identifies 'structuring' roads—those providing essential departmental links—as a major concern. While these roads represent only 25% to 30% of departmental mileage, they account for nearly two-thirds of fatalities. Approximately 30% of fatal accidents occur on straight sections of non-urban roads during high-speed collisions.