EU: "TOO MANY" ROAD DEATHS IN 2024, TARGETS MISSED

BRUSSELS • Preliminary data from the European Commission reveals approximately 19,800 road fatalities across the EU in 2024, a "slight decrease" of 3% from 2023. However, the EU states that progress is too slow, and most member states are off track to meet the goal of halving road deaths by 2030.

Brussels, March 18, 2025 – In 2024, an estimated 19,800 people died on roads and highways across Europe. This represents a "slight decrease" of 3%—or 600 fewer lives lost—compared to 2023 figures, according to preliminary data released today (March 18) by the European Commission. The numbers are still far from encouraging, as the EU executive notes that "the overall pace of improvement remains too slow, and most Member States are not on track to achieve the EU's goal of halving road fatalities by 2030," a target set almost 10 years ago, in 2018.

"A 3 percent reduction in fatalities is not enough," lamented Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Transport and Sustainable Tourism. "Too many lives are still lost on our roads every year. We must accelerate efforts to improve road safety, especially for vulnerable road users and in high-risk areas like rural roads."

Indeed, rural roads continue to pose the highest risk for fatal accidents, accounting for 52% of deaths. The majority of road fatalities (77%) involve men, while older adults (over 65) and young people (18-24 age group) are particularly vulnerable. Regarding road user types, car occupants account for the largest share of deaths, followed by motorcyclists (20%), pedestrians (18%), and cyclists (10%).

Sweden and Denmark remain the safest countries in terms of road safety, with low mortality rates of 20 and 24 deaths per million inhabitants, respectively. Romania (77 per million inhabitants) and Bulgaria (74) continue to have the highest mortality rates. Italy records a rate of 51 fatalities per million inhabitants, still higher than the EU average of 44.