A quarter of French people admit to throwing their waste out of the car window

2023-07-28 13:22:00

According to a study by Vinci Autoroutes, 27% of the population admits to getting rid of their waste on the road. An even higher figure among young people.

By Rémi Kumar 27% of French people throw their waste out of the car window, an almost common practice for people under 35 (photo illustration). © CHEV WILKINSON / Cultura Creative / Cultura Creative via AFP Published on 07/28/2023 at 1:22 p.m.

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The results came in this morning: more than one in four French people admit to throwing their waste out the window when they are driving, according to a study by Vinci Autoroutes unveiled by France Blue Paris. These figures generally relate to waste such as packaging and plastic bottles.

They are 27% to make this admission, a figure similar to that of last year. However, this phenomenon of “jettomania” is amplified among the youngest: 42% of those under 35 indulge in it, a figure up 6 points compared to last year.

A figure that varies by region

Smokers are not left on the side of the road: a quarter of respondents say they throw their cigarette butts out the window. Once again, those under 35 widen the gap (39%). The place of life seems to have an influence on the consciousness of motorists. The proportion who get rid of their cigarette butts on the road is much lower in regions affected by forest fires, falling to 17% in Occitania, Corsica or even Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, against 39% in Île-de-France. -France and Great East.

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Guilt is insufficient

If the majority of French people feel guilty (57%), 19% admit to feeling ashamed afterwards. Worse still, in 2022, according to Vinci Autoroutes, 91% of French people admit to being aware of the consequences of their actions on the environment. But this post-gesture awareness is not enough to discourage them. The best deterrent known to date remains the presence of a loved one: 82% believe that this would prevent them from committing this act. A large majority (72%) of respondents say they are ready to reframe a loved one who deliberately throws waste in their presence.

Faced with these worrying and paradoxical figures in view of the climate emergency hammered home by the authorities and the media, Vinci Autoroutes has published an awareness video on this subject. In a humorous tone, we see “anonymous jettomaniacs” – former addicts of throwing waste on the road – discussing and confiding in their problem.

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