EU target for reducing road tragedies remains far off, 19,500 lives lost in 2025

Some EU member states have shown significant progress in road safety, but the continent as a whole is moving slowly and risks missing the target of halving the number of road fatalities by 2030.

The latest data published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) show that around 19,500 people lost their lives in road accidents within the EU during 2025, while more than 100,000 people suffered serious injuries.

The study highlights that fatalities saw a modest drop of 2% compared to the previous year, while since 2019, the year the 50% reduction target was set, the decline has been only 15%. To stay on track with the 2030 targets, the EU should have recorded a reduction of about 31% by now.

Experts point out that to reach the target, the number of fatalities must decrease by approximately 10% per year by 2030, a pace nearly five times higher than the current rate.

However, the report also highlights success stories. Poland shows the fastest progress, reducing traffic deaths by 43% since 2019. At the same time, Belgium has recorded a 31% decline, while Denmark a 32% drop.

Denmark, known as one of the safest European countries in traffic, received positive marks for its multi-year vision on road safety. This country has not limited itself to awareness campaigns, but has increased checks, expanded the network of speed cameras, intensified the fight against drink-driving, and continued uninterrupted investments in infrastructure modernization.

Norway and Sweden top the list of countries with the lowest road fatality rates, with only 19 deaths per million inhabitants, compared to the EU average of 43 victims per million.

On the opposite side, the document highlights some alarming cases. The Netherlands appears as a disappointment, being the only country on the continent where the number of road fatalities per million inhabitants is now higher than ten years ago.

This despite the country’s commitment to electric cars, zero-emission zones, and a consolidated cycling infrastructure.

Another issue that has emerged is the safety of pedal cyclists. Referring to a special ETSC study, fatalities among cyclists in the EU have decreased very slowly over the last decade, by barely 0.5% per year, while for other road user groups, the decline has been four times faster.

Today, cyclists account for about 10% of all road accident victims in the EU, a phenomenon that according to experts requires strong investments in dedicated lanes and implementation of new protective measures.

The ETSC report underscores that the 2030 target is still achievable, but exclusively for those countries that place traffic safety at the center of the long-term political agenda and implement concrete measures to minimize accidents.