In 2024, more than 27.6 million traffic offences were recorded, representing a decrease of 8.6% compared to 2023 and 7.0% compared to 2017. These offences included 1.1 million criminal offences (+9.5% compared to 2023) and 26.5 million minor offences (down 9.2% compared to 2023).
11.7 million points were deducted, including 5.7 million for speeding (down by almost half compared to 2023 due to speeding offences of less than 5 km/h no longer resulting in points being deducted since 1 January 2024), 1.9 million for failure to give way and 1.7 million for using a mobile phone or earphones.
79% of drivers still have 12 points on their licence, but only 49% of those suspected of causing fatal accidents (APAM) still had these 12 points on their licence at the time of the accident.
Of the 407,300 perpetrators of road safety offences referred by public prosecutors in 2023, representing 21% of all perpetrators referred by public prosecutors, 227,000 were convicted.
Traffic offences recorded in 2024
In 2024, more than 27.6 million traffic offences were recorded. Among the nearly 1,300 types of road safety offences, 133 can result in points being deducted from a driver's licence and 185 are class 5 offences or contraventions.
Breakdown of traffic offences (misdemeanours and contraventions) (excluding paid parking) in 2024
*Dangerous or obstructive parking (excluding paid parking), ** excluding parking spaces
In 2024, 1.1 million offences were recorded, including 25% for driving without insurance, 18% for hit-and-run accidents and 14% for driving without a licence or with an invalid licence.
In 2024, 12.3 million fines were issued by electronic ticketing (PVe), 4.7 million by the FO and 7.6 million by the municipal police (PM), and 14.2 million notices of violation (ACOs) were sent by automated enforcement, including 13.9 million for speeding offences (69% of which were for speeding less than 20 km/h on roads outside built-up areas) and more than 270,000 for failing to stop at a red light (traffic lights or level crossings).
The points-based driving licence
In 2024, 11.7 million points were deducted following 6.2 million offences resulting in point deductions.
Breakdown of the number of points deducted by family
Source: DSR/GNDC (as of 22/05/2025)
In 2024, 7.8 million drivers saw their initial 12 points reinstated after 2 or 3 years without any new offences (58% of whom were men). 6.9 million drivers recovered one point after 6 months without any new offences (62% of whom were men).
In 2024, 24,872 courses were organised for 320,402 participants: 302,853 participants to rebuild their points (known as ‘points-based licence’ courses) and 17,549 participants as an alternative to legal proceedings or criminal settlements (known as ‘justice’ courses).
Convictions by the courts
Offences other than fixed penalties (AFD) and 5th class offences result in legal proceedings subject to validated criminal liability.
Traffic offences punishable by law are grouped into four main categories: failure to comply with driving rules (alcohol, drugs, excessive speed), harm to persons (unintentional injury), administrative offences (invalid licence, lack of insurance), and attempts to flee during checks.
Traffic offences expose drivers to strict criminal penalties. Depending on the nature of the offence (driving without a licence, manslaughter, etc.), prison sentences range from 2 months to 10 years. In most cases, the driving licence is suspended or cancelled, and the offender is prohibited from reapplying for a period determined by the judge (e.g. five years for a hit-and-run offence). These cases are dealt with by the criminal court, with a six-year statute of limitations for prosecution.
In 2023, traffic offences accounted for 42% of convictions, 58% of which were for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In 2023, 91% of convictions were for men and 52% were for men aged 18 to 34.
Profile of authors convicted in 2023
In the case of traffic offences, the majority of those convicted are men: 91.7% for driving without a licence; 91.9% for driving despite having their licence suspended; and 88.2% for drink driving. Men account for as much as 92.4% of convictions for driving under the influence of drugs.
Unintentional offences against the person without aggravating circumstances affect women more than other convictions. Nevertheless, women remain in the minority: they account for a maximum of 24.3% of convictions for unintentional injury without aggravating circumstances and 18.1% of convictions for unintentional homicide without aggravating circumstances.
Driving without a licence mainly affects 18-24 year olds (34% for men and 35% for women).
Failure to insure and driving despite a licence suspension mainly affect 25-34 year olds (36% and 35% of men and 37% and 35% of women respectively).
In 2023, drink-driving mainly affects 25-44 year olds (54% for men and 53% for women), while driving under the influence of drugs mainly affects 25-34 year olds (37% for men and 41% for women) and 18-24 year olds (32% for men and 28% for women).
Injuries and manslaughter primarily affect men aged 25-34, followed by men aged 18-24, then men aged 35-44.
Characteristics of the 205,536 men convicted of a primary offence by age in 2023
Sources: Ministry of Justice, SG, SSER, statistical file from the National Criminal Record of Natural Persons.
INSEE - population by age and gender, as of 1 January, 2023 estimate,
Scope: France.
Characteristics of the 21,473 women convicted of a primary offence by age in 2023
Sources: Ministry of Justice, SG, SSER, statistical file from the National Criminal Records Database for Natural Persons.
INSEE - population by age and gender, as of 1 January, 2023 estimate,
Scope: France.