As the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) marks its 20th anniversary, its latest report offers an important reminder: while Europe has made progress in reducing road deaths, it is still far from being on track to meet its 2030 target.
Around 19,500 people were killed on EU roads in 2025, while more than 100,000 are estimated to have been seriously injured. Road deaths fell by just 2% in the past year and by 15% since 2019. To remain on track towards the EU target of halving road deaths by 2030, a reduction of around 31% would have been needed by now.
The picture varies significantly across Europe. Poland achieved the largest reduction in road deaths between 2019 and 2025, at 43%, while Denmark reduced deaths by 32% and received the 2026 PIN Award. Norway and Sweden remain among the safest countries, with 19 road deaths per million inhabitants, compared with an EU average of 43.
The report also highlights that road safety needs to be measured through more than fatalities alone. Progress on serious injuries remains limited, while differences in national definitions and data collection make comparisons difficult. Better and more harmonised data are therefore essential.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can provide a broader picture of road safety, helping identify risks before they result in crashes. The indicators cover areas including speed, seat-belt and helmet use, drink-driving, vehicle safety, infrastructure and emergency response.
This focus on proactive risk management is closely aligned with the Safe System approach, which places the prevention of death and serious injury at the centre of road safety.
For EvoRoads, the findings reinforce the importance of developing solutions that can help move from understanding crashes to anticipating and managing risk. Through its Living Labs in Italy, Spain, Latvia and Romania, the project is exploring how data, digital technologies, safer infrastructure and innovative solutions can contribute to a more holistic Safe System for all road users.
The PIN report shows that progress is possible — but also that Europe needs to accelerate its efforts. Reaching the EU’s 2030 target, and ultimately Vision Zero, will require sustained action, better evidence and continued innovation across the transport system.
Read the 2026 ETSC Road Safety Performance Index report for the full analysis.
