EU road deaths drop slightly in 2025

The European Commission recorded 19,350 road traffic deaths in the EU in 2025, a 3% decrease from previous years. However, only five countries are on track to meet the 2030 target of reducing road fatalities by 50%.

France lags behind European road safety leaders

France has a road traffic mortality rate significantly higher than the European average, fluctuating between 45 and 50 deaths per million inhabitants. In contrast, countries like Sweden and Denmark report much lower rates of 19 and 24 deaths per million, respectively.

Economic divide shapes road safety outcomes

The geography of road traffic mortality in Europe shows a clear economic divide. Countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia have the highest rates, while Nordic nations benefit from long-term investments in infrastructure and prevention. Belgium, Poland, and Denmark have also implemented targeted and coherent road safety strategies.

France’s road safety budget remains low

France has not increased its road safety budget since 2020, allocating around 150 million euros annually, or less than 2.20 euros per inhabitant. This is significantly lower than Sweden’s investment of nearly 5 euros per person in road safety prevention.

Road accidents impose heavy costs on the EU

Each road traffic death in the EU is accompanied by about five serious injuries, totaling nearly 100,000 annually. In France, 15,000 people are seriously injured each year, requiring long-term care. The direct and indirect costs of road accidents in France amount to about 50 billion euros annually, or 2% of the country’s GDP.

Elderly people face higher risks and longer recovery times

Older individuals are among the most frequent victims of road accidents, often suffering more severe health consequences. An elderly person hospitalized after a serious accident requires 45 days of hospitalization, compared to 28 days for a young adult. As France’s population ages, this trend is expected to worsen.

Most road deaths occur on rural roads

In France, 55% of fatal road accidents occur on rural roads, which are often poorly maintained and lack essential safety features. Upgrading these roads would require 8 billion euros over ten years, but departmental budgets for road infrastructure have decreased by 12% since 2015.

Sweden and Denmark lead in road safety with Vision Zero

Sweden introduced the Vision Zero program in 1997, aiming to eliminate road traffic deaths entirely. The country has since reduced its mortality rate by 60% through infrastructure improvements. Denmark has followed a similar path, with a strong focus on protecting cyclists and pedestrians.

France’s road safety efforts are uneven

While major cities like Paris have made progress in reducing road deaths, rural areas and medium-sized cities lag significantly. The lack of national coordination limits the overall effectiveness of road safety measures in France.

EU urges France to accelerate road safety improvements

The European Commission says the current pace of progress is too slow to meet the 2030 target. France would need to triple its road safety investments and implement measures such as modernizing rural roads and increasing awareness campaigns. Without urgent action, France risks remaining at the bottom of European road safety rankings.