More people died in road accidents in Romania than any other country in the European Union for the fourth time running, figures released Friday show.
Overall, the number of road accident deaths in the EU rose by 4% in 2022, the latest year for which figures are available, compared to the year before.
Again Romania headed the list with 86 deaths per million inhabitants, according to the European Statistics Office (Eurostat).
At the other end of the scale was Sweden which had the lowest number of road deaths that year__ 22 deaths per million inhabitants. Denmark had 26 and Ireland 31.
After Romania, Bulgaria registered 78 and Croatia 71 per million residents.
The continued high number of traffic deaths in Romania is often attributed to speed and dangerous driving, combined with a lack of communication and respect between motorists, pedestrians, and drivers of other vehicles. Romanian police tell motorists to drive defensively but their advice is not always heeded.
In 2022, the total number of road accident deaths across the EU was 20,653, compared to 19,917 in 2021 and 18,833 in 2020.
The drop in 2020 was largely driven by the impact of restrictions during the pandemic on passenger transport.
The average rate of deaths on the roads in 2022 was 46 deaths per million inhabitants.
Romania has constantly recorded more road fatalities than any other EU.
In 2021, the mortality rate of 93 deaths per 1 million inhabitants, which was more than twice the average rate in the bloc.
Romania had 85 deaths per million in 2020 and 96 per million in 2019.
Road deaths have dropped about 36% in the last decade, the European Commission says, which is determined to reduce the figures even more.
Generally, most deaths occur on rural roads and the least happen on motorways.
Motorists and passengers account for the largest share of deaths, followed by After that come motorbikes and mopeds and then cyclists.
The EU has set itself a 50% reduction target for road deaths – and, for the first time, also serious injuries – by 2030.
