Europe's deadliest countries for drivers revealed: Top spot may surprise you
Photo: German police officers (Getty Images)
Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania have been named the most dangerous countries in Europe for driving based on road traffic death rates. At the same time, Norway and Sweden retained their positions as the safest countries for motorists, according to a new study by Vignette Switzerland.
The ranking is based on 2025 data from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and compares the number of road fatalities per one million residents.
Serbia topped the list for the second consecutive year, recording 74 road deaths per million inhabitants—around 72% higher than the EU average. Despite leading the ranking, the country's fatality rate has slightly declined compared to the previous year.
The top three also include:
- Bulgaria – 71 road deaths per million people
- Romania – 68 road deaths per million people
The top 10 countries with the highest road fatality rates also include popular tourist destinations such as Portugal, Greece, Italy, and France.
Ranking of the most dangerous countries for drivers and pedestrians (Euronews infographic)
Europe's safest roads
The Nordic countries once again posted the best road safety results.
Norway and Sweden shared first place, with just 19 road deaths per one million residents. That means their fatality rate is nearly four times lower than Serbia's.
Other countries with the strongest safety records include the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Switzerland.
Which countries improved the most?
The study also looked at progress made over the past decade.
Lithuania achieved the biggest improvement, reducing road traffic deaths by 43% since 2015. Significant progress was also recorded in:
- Latvia – down 37%
- Bulgaria – down 36%
- Greece – down 35%
- Hungary – down 30%
By contrast, improvements have nearly stalled in some of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Road fatalities fell by just 1% in Portugal and 6% in France over the past decade.
Experts' advice for drivers
Experts recommend that travelers planning road trips across Europe this summer familiarize themselves with local traffic laws, carefully plan their routes, and stay especially alert on unfamiliar roads.
They note that road safety standards and infrastructure can vary significantly even between neighboring countries, so drivers should adapt their driving style to local conditions.
