On our recent trip to France (2-1/2 weeks) we were surprised and pleased to see that traffic has calmed down considerably. Speeding has decreased because of the government's crack-down, and the European Union is implementing programs designed to lessen the number of fatalities.

The smoking scene was amazing--considerably fewer smokers in restaurants, and quite a few real non-smoking areas. Most public buildings are now smoke free, quite a few of our cabs were posted as no-smoking, and even in cafés there was a difference. By the end of the trip were so accustomed to the lower levels of smoke that we were a bit shocked when someone was smoking. A big and welcome change, especially as we are used to the relatively smoke-free-in-public setting of California.

First they inherit America's sad love affair with enforcement of its stupid laws, restricting drivers from driving cars as they were designed to be driven...

One can only guess what comes next... the loss of skill in driving, and sitting in the lefthand lane, clogging up traffic at 55 miles per hour.

Some things are better in America, but globalization is leading to an unfortunate homogenization.

I feel very torn - - sure, I wish for a world in which every child gets the chance to learn to read. Increasingly, it also means propelling us forward to the point that every child learns to speak in "c u l8r".

Best wishes,

Rex

I'm not sure this has anything to do with globalisation.

France had an appalling road safety record. Drunk driving was (and still is) all too common.

Huge efforts are being made to make French roads safer. I applaud that.

If "skill" in driving leads to a tragically high number of road deaths, then give me unskilled drivers any day.

Traffic deaths in France are way down after the enforcement of speed limits took effect the last few years. Licenses are drivers going fast enough are immediately confiscated. On one drive a few years ago everyone on the autoroute was blowing by a caravan of police cars about 30 mph over the speed limit! Speed laws were just not enforced. The alcohol checks at roadblocks have resulted in a desultory effect on the French restaurant industry where the three martini lunch is history for folks who motor after imbibing. The argument that people should be allowed to drive like cars were meant to is silly - much like public smoking where your right to smoke ends at my nostrils. Yeh let everyone speed recklessly around and several thousand innocent people have to die for that right. As for smoking laws my recent trip to France was not so positive. In Austerlitz train station they were making loud announcements aabout the gare being an espace non-fumeur but the teenager next to me kept puffing away. And the conductor checking tickets before getting on the train was also smoking - right in front of a non-smoking sign. Cafes i went in have at most ONE table with a no-smoking sign on it surrounded by smoking tables. But things are changing. Many of my French relatives don't go to cafes because of the smoke; i've read that one reason the parisian Starbucks has been so mobbed, not only by tourists, but also by Frenchies who wanted a place to sip lattes without the stench of smoke.

Forget the traffic deaths, stop the smoking. I bet smoking kills more people than traffic.

richardab- so obese people should be deprived of food?

Wildfire,

Smoking is an option; eating is not, and that's why it's much harder to control: just stopping doesn't work.

Of course it does. There are no fat people who don't eat.

Forget the traffic deaths, stop the smoking. I bet smoking kills more people than traffic.

Tell that to someone who has lost someone dear to a drunk reckless driver!

Traffic may have calmed down, but there's still no way I'd rent a car or scooter in Paris. Scary.

Having read to expect smoke-filled restaurants, we were surprised that, in most places we ate it wasn't even noticeable. In fact, Le Florimond doesn't allow smoking at all.

I recall smoking hazards warnings were pretty blunt too. I think one read, smoking will kill you.

rex, I think you're talking about a whole separate issue. The crackdowns aren't in reference to the autoroutes. People still drive cars "the way they were meant to be driven" on them. But flying through small villages or around blind curves on country roads needed to be addressed. I agree from my reading that considerable crackdowns on speed violations in France have already made an improvement. And at last they are doing something about drinking and driving. Maybe you think it's horrible that they are copying that from the US, but frankly I don't care whom they copy it from -- so long as they do something about it and they are!

Patrick--Even on the autoroutes there has been a considerable slowdown. Drive between 135 and 140 kmh and you will going with the traffic. At least that has been my experience.

And drunk driving rules in France AND the US still has some way to go if they should match the Nordic countries. In Norway (and it's the same in Sweden and Finland too I think) the limit is 0.2 so 1 beer and you are not driving legally. Not for quite a few hours anyway, which I think is a good idea. It enforces the point of not drinking and driving, rather than a I can probably squeeze in one more beer and still barely stay legal kind of thought....

Sindre

Yes, Rex, and one of those "stupid laws" the French also enforce is the censure of unlicensed "physicians," especially the ones who give out unsolicited "medical advice."

Cigarette consumption per adult, annual average 1992-2000:

Norway 763
Sweden 1060
Finland 1222
Austria 1709
France 1772
UK 1790
Germany 1803
Belgium 1910
Italy 1960
Denmark 1963
Iceland 2035
Portugal 2071
USA 2193
Ireland 2246
Netherlands 2377
Spain 2572
Switzerland 2871
Greece 3571

Source: http://www.undp.org/hdr2002/hdi.pdf

Looks like they smoke less in France than in the US.

Hi all

According to http://www.driveandstayalive.com/
the per capita death toll in 2003 was

France 12.9
USA 14.9

This doesn't account for deaths per 100,000 miles drive, which would give France a higher rate than the US.

<<one of those "stupid laws" the French also enforce is the censure of unlicensed "physicians," especially the ones who give out unsolicited "medical advice." >>

It's clear that you think this should be directed to me.

Any particular reason?

And are you suggesting that the rare cases like the fake "gynecologist" from Texas are more or less likely to evade apprehension or conviction in the US versus France?

The fact that very few French teenagers drive may affect the death rate. Not only does it cost a arm and a leg to go thru the mandated driving instruction course but insurance is high and gas, currently a mind-boggling 5-6$/gal also restricts them. that's why you see so many damn mopeds running amok - no age limit it seems on these.