The 20th annual Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) report reveals that around 19,500 people died on EU roads in 2025, with deaths falling just 2% in the past year and 15% since 2019. The EU needs a cumulative reduction of at least 31% from 2019 by now to remain on course for its 2030 goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries.
Poland leads the improvement rankings, cutting road deaths by 43% since 2019, followed by Denmark at 32%. Norway and Sweden remain the safest countries, each recording 19 deaths per million inhabitants, against an EU average of 43.
ETSC says the results underline the need for stronger national action, enforcement and investment, while warning against rolling back established safety measures.
Why It Matters: Europe’s widening road-safety gap shows that progress depends not only on technology, but also on consistent policy, enforcement and investment. With the 2030 target of halving road deaths approaching, successful strategies in leading countries could provide a valuable blueprint for those falling behind.
