After a few years, Slovenia managed to repeat its success in road safety.

Each tragedy on the roads is unnecessary. In 2018 there were as many as 25.100 tragedies on European roads. In addition to the lost lives in road accidents, several lives of relatives and friends have been destroyed.

21 % less people died on roads in 2018

Despite the horrible statistics, the European Commission presented some collected data on road safety in the EU for 2018 with some optimism. Compared to the previous year, there were fewer deaths, but only a percentage. When compared with 2010, however, as many as 21 % fewer died. 46 % of the dead were in passenger cars, 21 % were pedestrians, and 26 % were bikers, most are motorcyclists. 

Among neighbour countries, Slovenia was presented as the strongest country compared to the European average – based on the statistics of the year before. 13 % fewer people died, which is the best result in 28 years. And if last year's average death toll in the EU is 49 people per million inhabitants, then Slovenia is with 44 people per million inhabitants on 10th place. Far ahead of road safety are still United Kingdom (28), Denmark (30), Ireland (31), Netherlands (31), Sweden (32) ...

Croatia among the worst countries in road safety 

According to research, every lost life on the roads – due to direct and indirect financial consequences – costs Slovenia 1.6 million euros. Due to all traffic accidents, Slovenia loses about one billion euros annually. Our southern neighbour Croatia, on the roads of which many Slovenians drive every year, still ranks among the worst countries in road safety with an average of 77 deaths per million. The worst are only in Latvia (78), Bulgaria (88) and Romania (98).

Slovenia among countries with the biggest leap in reducing road deaths

Viewed in the long-term averages between 2010 and 2018, Slovenia is ranked fourth in terms of progress, among the countries that have made the biggest leap in reducing road deaths at that time. Nevertheless, the optimistic statistics should not give Slovenians confidence in further progress, as in the first three months on the roads almost more people died than in the same period last year.

Jure Kostanjšek, Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Slovenia (AMZS), explained that "it is important that drivers are constantly educated, because only in this way can we take advantage of all the advantages that modern technology brings us in vehicles, and thus contribute to greater safety. Of course, we must also learn about innovations in the field of road infrastructure and traffic signalization. The key to success is, therefore, a tandem, a well-informed driver and modern technology. However, one part of the traffic safety triangle should not be forgotten - infrastructure is also important in addition to the driver and vehicle. Proper, secure and maintained infrastructure is also one of the cornerstones of safe, but also fast and comfortable traffic."

More about statistics of road safety in Slovenia and other European countries here and here.