A method of managing traffic in a communication network is implemented by a network interface of a communicating element during the transmission of a message on a physical link of the network, the message including a transmission priority level. This method includes the steps of: detecting an internal state of a data link layer, as long as the internal state of the link layer does not allow the message to be sent immediately: waiting for the internal state of the link layer to reach a priority state equal to or lower than the transmission priority level, increasing the transmission priority level each time the internal state resumes a busy state signifying that a signal is present on the physical link during this wait time; sending the message when the internal state changes to a priority state equal to or lower than the transmission priority level.