Ministry of Transport Opens Investigation into “Phantom Braking”

Paris – 29.06.2026: Increasingly, drivers in France are reporting so-called “phantom braking,” where their car suddenly slows down without an apparent reason. These incidents have caused several accidents in recent months and have now led to an official investigation. The French Ministry of Transport has launched a comprehensive analysis to clarify the causes of these malfunctions.

“Phantom braking” usually involves unexpected activations of automatic emergency braking systems, which have been mandatory in all new EU cars since 2022. These systems use sensors and cameras to detect potential collisions and autonomously apply the brakes in critical situations. However, recent times have shown an increase in false reactions that apparently are not triggered by real obstacles.

A prominent example is Joanna Peyrache, who in April 2025 had to brake suddenly while driving on the A40 highway with her Peugeot 208, which led to an accident in her case. Following this experience, she started a public initiative and collected more than 600 similar reports from other affected drivers.

The ministry’s investigation includes not only the technical analysis of the driver assistance systems but also external factors such as weather conditions. Experts suspect causes including faulty calibrations, for example after repairs or windshield replacements, that can cause sensors to receive incorrect signals.

In parallel with the inquiry, several motorists have filed lawsuits against unknown parties. They accuse manufacturers of insufficiently ensuring the safety of their emergency braking systems, thereby endangering road traffic. These lawsuits aim to hold manufacturers liable and obtain compensation.

The Ministry of Transport calls on all drivers affected by uncontrolled braking events to report their experiences. An online form on the ministry’s website aims to facilitate the collection of cases and advance the investigation.

The goal is to restore road safety as quickly as possible and strengthen trust in modern driver assistance systems. The ongoing analysis is expected to provide clear findings that can lead to technical improvements or regulatory measures. Thus, the focus is not only on individual driver assistance systems but also on the overall handling of digital safety technologies in road traffic.

The results of the investigation are expected in the coming months. For all road users in France, this topic remains highly important, as modern assistance systems are now an integral part of many vehicles and significantly influence both their safety and driver confidence.