February 21, 2023
The European Commission has published preliminary figures on road deaths in 2022. Around 20,600 people lost their lives in road accidents, which represents an increase of 3% compared to 2021. Despite the rebound, the figure reflects 2,000 deaths less (a decrease of 10%) compared to 2019, the last statistically significant year before the pandemic.
This increase in 2022 compared to the previous year is mainly attributed to the recovery of pre-pandemic traffic levels. On the other hand, progress has been very uneven between Member States. The largest decreases, of more than 30%, were registered in Lithuania and Poland, while Denmark also registered a significant drop, of 23%. By contrast, in the last three years the number of road deaths in countries such as Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden has remained fairly stable or increased.
Preliminary figures of fatalities in road accidents in Europe in 2023 per million inhabitants.
The overall ranking of countries’ death rates has not changed significantly: the safest roads remain those of Sweden (21 deaths per million inhabitants) and Denmark (26), while Romania (86) and Bulgaria (78) they registered the highest rates in 2022. The EU average was 46 road deaths per million inhabitants. In the Spanish case, this rate stands at 36.
According to the data available for 2021 (the latest consolidated data available, since those for 2022 are still provisional) throughout the EU, 52% of deaths due to traffic accidents occurred on conventional roads, compared to 39% in urban areas and 9% on highways. By gender, three out of four deaths are men, 78%. Car occupants (drivers and passengers) accounted for 45% of all road fatalities, pedestrians 18%, motorcycle and moped users 19%, and cyclists 9% of all deaths. The pattern changes in urban areas, as vulnerable users account for just under 70% of all fatalities.
On the other hand, although the greater weight of the bicycle in the mobility mix in many Member States is very positive, the mortality rate of these road users is worrying, which is attributed to a lack of well-equipped infrastructure. In 2022, for example, preliminary figures for France show a 30% increase in cyclist fatalities compared to 2019.
Evolution of road mortality in Europe and projection until 2030.