Road deaths in the EU fell by 3% in 2025. Spain performed better than the average.

Yesterday, the European Commission published preliminary figures on road traffic fatalities in 2025, reporting around 19,400 deaths. This represents a 3% decrease compared to 2024, amounting to a reduction of 580 fatalities on European roads. Given the increase in the number of vehicles on EU roads and the number of kilometres travelled, this is a significant achievement. However, the preliminary data also highlight the need for sustained efforts at all levels, as most Member States are not yet on track to meet the EU’s target of halving deaths and serious injuries on the roads by 2030.

Progress on road safety varies considerably from one country to another.

Spain

In 2025, Spain performed better than the EU average, with 36 fatalities per million inhabitants. However, compared to the EU average, Spain has a relatively high proportion of fatalities involving motorised two-wheelers (27%) and on motorways (19%). In 2019, vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists) accounted for over 50% of all fatalities for the first time. The most common causes of accidents were distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Between 2019 and 2025, there was a 1% increase in road fatalities (instead of the 50% reduction required by 2030). Spain is therefore not on track to meet the 2030 targets. A possible solution would be to review the extent to which the road safety strategy’s actions have been implemented and to consider strengthening measures accordingly.

Between 2024 and 2025, there were notable decreases in Estonia (-38%) and Greece (-22%). Based on these preliminary and sometimes incomplete data, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Poland and Romania are currently on track to meet the target of a 50% reduction in road deaths by 2030. Despite this progress, Romania continues to have one of the highest fatality rates in the EU, alongside Bulgaria and Croatia. Sweden and Denmark had the safest roads in 2025, as in previous years, with low fatality rates of 20 and 23 deaths per million inhabitants, respectively.

It is estimated that for every death, five people are seriously injured. This means that every year around 100,000 people suffer serious injuries in road traffic accidents across the EU.

Road safety is a shared responsibility between the EU and the Member States. Whilst national and local authorities carry out most of the day-to-day work, the EU contributes safety standards for infrastructure and vehicles, as well as for driving tests and the issuing of licences; it coordinates cross-border cooperation between authorities and efforts to exchange best practices; and it funds road safety projects. Recent EU-wide initiatives include updated requirements for driving licences, improved cross-border enforcement of traffic rules, and a proposal to improve roadworthiness standards for vehicles.

Today’s figures are based on preliminary data from 2025. The Commission will publish the results in late autumn.

Further information: European Commission