UK second safest roads in Europe

July 2020

The United Kingdom has the second safest roads in Europe, according to figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

Based on the number of road fatalities per million inhabitants, the UK is ranked second with a figure of 28. Only Sweden’s roads are safer, with 25 road deaths per million people.

Road traffic deaths have been falling in the EU for the past two decades. In 2001, there were 54,900 fatalities. By 2017, this had fallen to 25,300, which means the EU has the safest roads in the world.

However, data from CARE (EU Road Accidents Database) shows that 70 people still die every day on the roads of Europe.

Many road incidents are linked to human error, with 10-30 percent of them caused by distraction. It is for this reason that several driver assistance systems will soon become mandatory.

Driver drowsiness and distraction warnings, intelligent speed assistance, reversing sensors or cameras, lane-keeping assistance and advanced emergency braking are just some of the systems that will become mandatory from 2022.

Road fatalities are at their highest in the eastern regions of Europe. Romania has the worst record, with 99 fatalities per million inhabitants. Reasons for this, include the poor condition of the road network and the reliance on older, less safe vehicles.

Top 10 safest roads in Europe

1. Sweden: 25 (deaths per million inhabitants)
2. UK: 28
3. Denmark: 30
4. Netherlands: 31
5. Ireland: 33
6. Estonia: 36
7. Spain: 39
8. Malta: 41
9. Luxembourg: 42
10. Finland: 43

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