BRUSSELS, October 21, 2025: Nearly 20,000 people lost their lives in road crashes across the European Union in 2024, according to data released by the European Commission, marking a 2 percent decline from the previous year. The report, published on October 17, underscores a modest but steady reduction in traffic-related fatalities as the EU continues its efforts toward long-term road safety targets.
The annual figure of 19,940 deaths translates to 45 road fatalities per million inhabitants, maintaining the EU’s position as one of the safest regions globally in terms of road safety. While the overall trend shows progress, the Commission noted that the current pace of decline remains below the rate needed to meet the bloc’s interim target of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, as part of its Vision Zero objective to nearly eliminate such incidents by 2050.
Marked improvements were recorded in several Member States. Lithuania reported the largest reduction in road fatalities at 22 percent, followed by Latvia with a 19 percent decrease and Austria with a 13 percent drop compared to 2023. These countries were cited as examples of effective road safety policies and enforcement measures that have contributed to measurable outcomes. Conversely, a few Member States saw an increase in road deaths. Estonia registered a 17 percent rise, while Cyprus recorded a 21 percent increase.
Sweden and Denmark report safest roads in EU
The European Commission noted that these fluctuations, although significant in percentage terms, were based on smaller population sizes and absolute numbers, which may amplify annual changes. The overall ranking of countries by fatality rate remained relatively stable. Sweden reported the lowest road death rate in the EU with 20 deaths per million inhabitants, followed by Denmark with 24. At the other end of the spectrum, Romania had the highest rate at 78 per million, with Bulgaria close behind at 74. The wide variation across Member States highlights ongoing disparities in road safety performance across the EU.
The European Commission’s analysis highlighted particular areas of concern, including rural roads, where a significant share of fatalities occur, and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Despite increased efforts, these groups remain disproportionately affected by serious traffic incidents. To support Member States in addressing these challenges, the European Commission reiterated its commitment to coordinated actions, including regulatory updates, vehicle safety initiatives, and infrastructure improvements.
More consistent efforts needed across all member states
The data forms part of the EU’s broader monitoring efforts under its road safety framework and is used to evaluate national strategies and resource allocation. In addition to national-level figures, the report noted that many EU countries maintained stable or slightly improved fatality rates in 2024, reflecting the collective impact of ongoing interventions such as speed enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and investment in safer transport networks.
While the absolute number of road deaths remains below historical averages, the Commission emphasized that reducing fatalities to meet 2030 benchmarks will require consistent application of existing safety measures and continued collaboration among authorities, industry stakeholders, and the public. The next set of detailed statistics, covering the first half of 2025, will provide further insight into whether current measures are sustaining the downward trend. The annual data set was compiled using verified figures submitted by EU Member States and forms a central component of the European Commission’s transport safety strategy. – By EuroWire News Desk.