Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania recorded the highest road fatality rates in Europe, while Norway and Sweden remained the safest countries for drivers, according to a new study based on 2025 data from the European Transport Safety Council.
The research, conducted by Vignette Switzerland, compared the number of road deaths per million inhabitants across European nations, revealing a sharp divide between southeastern Europe and Scandinavia.
Serbia ranked first for the second consecutive year, with 74 road fatalities per million residents. The figure stands approximately 72 percent above the European Union average, though it represents a marginal decline from the previous year.
Bulgaria followed with 71 deaths per million inhabitants, while Romania recorded 68 fatalities per million residents. Both countries placed significantly above the EU mean.
Several major tourist destinations also appeared among the ten countries with elevated road mortality rates, including Portugal, Greece, Italy and France.
Safest roads remain in Scandinavia
Norway and Sweden shared the top position for road safety, each registering 19 deaths per million inhabitants. The rate is nearly four times lower than Serbia’s figure.
The United Kingdom, Denmark and Switzerland also ranked among the countries with the strongest road safety performance, maintaining fatality levels well below the European average.
Lithuania records steepest decline
The study also tracked changes in road mortality over the past decade. Lithuania achieved the most substantial improvement, reducing road deaths by 43 percent since 2015.
Latvia posted a 37 percent decline over the same period, followed by Bulgaria at 36 percent, Greece at 35 percent and Hungary at 30 percent.
Progress was markedly slower in some western European tourist destinations. Portugal reduced road fatalities by just 1 percent over ten years, while France recorded a 6 percent decrease.
Traveler guidance
The authors of the study advised tourists planning road trips across Europe this summer to familiarize themselves with local traffic regulations, plan routes carefully and exercise heightened caution on unfamiliar roads.
Safety standards and road infrastructure can vary considerably between neighboring countries, the researchers noted, recommending that drivers adapt their behavior to local conditions rather than assuming uniform norms across borders.
