Francehas initiated an urgent investigation into a concerning phenomenon termed “phantom braking,” where vehicles inexplicably engage their emergency brakes at high speeds. This probe follows numerous incidents of cars suddenly decelerating or stopping on motorways without any apparent reason, leading to severe collisions and raising serious safety concerns.

A notable incident occurred near Lyon, involving driver Joanna Peyrache, whosePeugeot 208abruptly dropped from 65mph to a complete standstill on the motorway. A vehicle following behind then collided with hers, causing her car to spin 180 degrees and sustain significant damage, though she miraculously escaped serious injury. Neither her insurance company nor the other driver's would accept responsibility, leaving Peyrache to seek answers independently.

Peyrache's ordeal has brought to light over 300 similar reports from drivers across France, all claiming their vehicles unexpectedly braked. The majority of these cases involve cars equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, particularly Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).These high-tech safety features, intended to prevent accidents, are suspected of erroneously activating by misinterpreting shadows, roadside signs, or other harmless obstacles as immediate threats.

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The consequences of phantom braking have been severe, including a tragic fatality in December 2023, where a passenger died after her car braked sharply on a motorway and was hit from behind. In this case, driver Aurélie Tormos was subsequently convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Campaigners are now advocating for a review of such convictions, arguing they should be reconsidered if phantom braking is confirmed as the underlying cause. A petition calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the malfunctions of automatic braking systems has garnered over 450 signatures, highlighting that several car brands are affected, with the common thread being the presence of these driver assistance systems, especially for braking.

Experts, such as Christophe Theuil, vice-president of theFrench Federation of Automotive Expertise,suggest that poorly adjusted sensors could be a primary culprit. He explained that a slight miscalibration, even by a single degree, can lead the car to brake for non-existent objects in its path. Officials involved in the investigation plan to meticulously examine sensors, algorithms, and even environmental factors like weather conditions to pinpoint the precise cause of these malfunctions.

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Despite the widespread reports across various makes and models, there has been no official recall in France specifically for phantom braking issues. The ongoing concerns in France coincide with a separate car safety issue in the UK, where over 100,000 Citroën and DS models were recalled due to potentially deadly airbags, though this is unrelated to phantom braking. Both incidents, however, underscore broader questions about car safety, manufacturer responsiveness, and the reliability of modern vehicle technologies.