Norway hailed ‘safest in Europe’ but warning that we still have more to do
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has awarded its prestigious 2025 Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) Award to Norway, recognising the country’s sustained commitment to road safety and long-term success in reducing road deaths.
The announcement comes alongside the publication of the 19th PIN Annual Report, which reveals mixed progress across Europe and a clear warning: the EU is significantly off track to meet its target of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
Norway remains Europe’s safest country for road users, with just 16 road deaths per million inhabitants in 2024, the lowest rate among the 32 countries monitored by the ETSC PIN programme.
This remarkable performance reflects Norway’s long-standing adoption of a Safe System approach to road safety and continuous innovation in national and local road safety policy.
Antonio Avenoso, ETSC Executive Director said: “Norway continues to show what’s possible when a country commits to road safety at every level – from government strategy to local planning.
“Their results are no accident; they’re the product of clear targets, rigorous implementation, and national ambition.”
While Norway sets a leading example, the broader European picture is concerning.
According to the 19th ETSC PIN Annual Report, road deaths in the EU27 decreased by just 2% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Since the baseline year of 2019, deaths have fallen by only 12%, far short of the 27% reduction needed by now to stay on course for a 50% cut by 2030.
However, eight countries saw an increase in deaths in 2024, including Switzerland and Estonia. In total, 20,017 people died on EU roads in 2024, and serious injury reductions continue to lag behind death reductions.
The report calculates that around 23,800 lives have been saved since 2014 due to road safety improvements. The estimated societal benefit of these saved lives amounts to €60 billion. Yet, had the EU achieved the needed 6.7% annual reduction rate, an additional 49,600 lives could have been saved corresponding to a benefit to society worth €124 billion.
To get back on track, the ETSC is urging both EU institutions and national governments to take stronger action and implement the Safe System approach .
Avenoso said: “Norway proves that road deaths are not inevitable – they are preventable. But every country in Europe must now follow their example.
“We know what works. The real challenge is political will. Without bold national and EU-level action, thousands more lives will be lost unnecessarily.”
24 June 2025