In this chapter, find out more about accidents in the inhabited French overseas territories (excluding the French Southern and Antarctic Lands and Clipperton Island).
The inhabited overseas territories include:
- the overseas departments and regions (DROM): Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guyane, La Réunion and Mayotte ;
- the overseas collectivities (COM): Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French Polynesia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, New Caledonia (NC).
Road safety in the French Overseas Territories differs from that in mainland France, because the context is different. The distribution of modes of transport is different and the population is younger, among other things. In addition, the French Overseas Territories of the West Indies and the Pacific, as well as New Caledonia, are responsible for road traffic and road transport. However, the French State retains jurisdiction in matters of public freedoms, criminal law and criminal procedure.
On average, during the period 2022-2024, 28% of the population in the overseas territories will be under the age of 18, compared with 21% in metropolitan France. However, the proportion of the population aged between 18 and 64 will be identical (58%) in both the overseas territories and metropolitan France.
The annual average road death rate in overseas territories is 89 deaths per million inhabitants during the period 2020-2024, compared with 46 in mainland France. This rate is 179 deaths per million inhabitants in New Caledonia, 136 in Guadeloupe, 124 in French Polynesia, and 117 in French Guyane. For Mayotte, it is currently 33, with accident statistics being recorded more and more systematically. The calculation of this rate for Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin and Wallis and Futuna is not relevant (low population).
As in mainland France, young people aged 18 to 24 are over-represented in road deaths overseas, but to an even greater extent. In fact, the mortality rate for 18-24 year olds in overseas territories is 192 deaths per million inhabitants (93 in mainland France). In addition, 25-34 year olds are over-represented in road deaths in overseas territories, whereas this age group tends to be closer to the national average in mainland France. In overseas territories, the risk among young people aged 25 to 34 is 187 deaths per million inhabitants, compared with 56 in mainland France.
In overseas territories, vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorised two-wheeler users) account for 57% of road deaths over the period 2022-2024. This proportion is higher than in mainland France, where it is 45% over the same period. It is particularly high in Martinique (76%), French Polynesia (75%), Mayotte (74%) and La Réunion (65%).
During the period 2022-2024, alcohol will be present in 41% of those presumed responsible for fatal accidents in overseas territories. This rate is particularly high in New Caledonia (50%), French Polynesia (46%) and La Réunion (38%). Narcotics are present in 25% of suspected perpetrators of fatal accidents, with rates again high in French Polynesia (35%) and New Caledonia (30%).
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