France’s National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR) has published the latest estimates on road traffic casualties, revealing a complex picture.

While the overall number of fatalities over the first five months of 2025 is declining, the month of May showed a sharp increase in road deaths compared to the same period last year.

Motorcyclists

According to ONISR, 276 people lost their lives on the roads of mainland France in May, compared to 242 in May 2024. This marks a significant rise of 14 percent. The increase is especially notable among motorcyclists, with 82 fatalities reported, up by 19 compared to the previous year. The number of car occupants killed also rose, with 111 deaths, five more than in May 2024. The age group most affected was adults between 24 and 65 years, who accounted for 150 fatalities, 30 more than last May. This upward trend in mortality affected all types of road networks. Deaths increased both outside urban areas, where 155 people died, and in urban areas, which saw 99 fatalities. Even on motorways, fatalities rose to 22.

Injuries

Serious injuries also followed a similar upward trend. An estimated 1,530 people were severely injured in May, representing a 15 percent rise compared to May 2024. Law enforcement agencies reported a total of 4,646 injury-related road crashes in May across mainland France, reflecting a 10 percent increase over the same month last year.

Optimism

Despite this worrying monthly spike, figures for the first five months of 2025 remain more encouraging. A total of 1,154 people have died in road crashes so far this year, 52 fewer than during the same period in 2024, equating to a four percent decrease. Compared to 2019, the reduction is even more significant, with 72 fewer fatalities.

However, the number of seriously injured individuals over the same five-month period is estimated at 6,200, showing a five percent increase compared to last year. This rise in non-fatal injuries underlines the continuing challenges in improving road safety and the need for persistent efforts to protect all road users.