French praise 'model' UK drivers

French motorists are being urged to copy British drivers and their "legendary civility" during a national road courtesy day on Thursday.

The government-backed campaign says the "British recipe" explains why it has some of the safest roads in Europe and far fewer road deaths than France.

But event organisers stopped short of asking Frenchmen to swap their Latin temperament for "British phlegm".

The French government has made road safety one of its priorities.

Road deaths in France fell 9% in 2004 compared with 2003, but campaigners say other European countries have achieved better results.

'Irascible and aggressive'

French road safety group (AFPC) which is organising the "courtesy behind the wheel day", involving a variety of road safety awareness events, say the French need to take a leaf out the "British recipe" book.

"With their legendary courtesy and civility and an active prevention policy since 1970, our British neighbours have the safest roads in Europe and has a mortality rate far lower than in France."

"It's not about converting our Latin temperament into British phlegm but rather looking at this model example to learn a few things on driver attitudes and the ingredients behind this success."