19,940 people lost their lives in road crashes across the EU in 2024, according to statistics released by the European Commission, which, while representing a slight decrease on 2023, remains ‘unacceptable’.
The 2 per cent decrease compared to 2023 marks continued, but slow, progress toward an EU goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, and getting close to eliminating them by 2050.
“The fact that nearly 20,000 people lost their lives in road crashes last year is unacceptable,” said Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas: “The European Commission will keep supporting all Member States in making roads safer. But this is a shared effort: governments, the industry, and every road user have a role to play in ensuring every trip ends safely.”
In this context, the Commission revealed the winners of the ‘Excellence in Road Safety Award’, showcasing innovative road safety initiatives which contribute to the common goal of improving road safety across Europe.
The figures show that Sweden (20 deaths per million inhabitants) and Denmark (24/million) continue to have the safest roads in the EU, with the overall ranking of countries’ fatality rates not showing significant changes. Romania (78/million) and Bulgaria (74/million) reported the highest fatality rates in 2024.
Provisional data for the first six months of 2025 shows mixed trends across Member States. While some countries like Greece, Czechia, Romania, and Slovakia are giving positive signals with declining fatalities, others face renewed challenges. These early indicators underscore that road safety requires constant vigilance and sustained effort. The Commission will continue to monitor these trends closely and support Member States in addressing emerging concerns.
