Map shows where road deaths rose most in France in 2025

2025 was a deadlier year on France’s roads than 2024, but the increase was uneven across the country, according to new provisional data released by prefectures.

Some departments recorded sharp falls in fatalities, while others saw dramatic increases. 

The interactive map below shows where road deaths rose most in 2025 and will be updated as more local figures are released.

Several areas report marked improvements. In Oise, the number of people killed on the roads fell by 51% compared with 2024 and Lot recorded a 35% decrease.

Elsewhere, however, 2025 proved unusually deadly. 

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence saw one of the largest increases in France, with 26 people killed on its roads by December 30, up from 11 the previous year.

Local road safety officials told newspaper La Provence that behaviour, rather than weather or seasonal factors, was the main cause. 

“2025 has been a dramatic year, with a very sharp increase in fatal accidents,” said Captain Stéphane Heinen, head of the departmental road safety squad. 

“These accidents are mainly linked to human behaviour. A minority of drivers do not respect the Highway Code. It is often linked to alcohol and speed, not really to the weather or the time of year.”

Nationally, official estimates show road deaths remained above 2024 levels for much of the year. 

August 2025 was the deadliest summer month since 2017, with 341 fatalities nationwide, while November recorded 270 deaths, four more than a year earlier.

Across mainland France, more than 1,200 people were seriously injured in road accidents in November alone. 

Pedestrian deaths and fatalities among under-24s also increased over the year.

In response, authorities in several departments are responding with tougher enforcement and greater transparency, and more frequent release of local accident data, in addition to the stricter national penalties for speeding introduced on December 29, 2025.