Why Can't Every Country Be Like Norway When It Comes To Road Safety?
Norway continues to be the safest country in Europe for road users, and is a model of 'vision and action.' Between 2013 and 2023, traffic road deaths dropped by 40%. In 2024, there were only 16 road deaths per million inhabitants, the lowest rate among 32 countries.
To recognize Norway's commitment to and accomplishment in reducing traffic deaths, the country received the 2025 Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) award for outstanding progress in road safety.
The news was announced on Tuesday by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), a Brussels-based independent non-profit organization, which administers the annual award.
'Norway continues to show what's possible when a country commits to road safety at every level – from government strategy to local planning,' Antonio Avenoso, ETSC's executive director, said in a statement. 'Their results are no accident; they're the product of clear targets, rigorous implementation, and national ambition.'
Norway's progress was cited in a range of strategic road safety initiatives. These include:
Norway's exemplary performance is credited to its 'continuous innovation in national and local road safety policy,' the safety group said, and its long-standing adoption of a Vision Zero or Safe System approach to road safety and design that takes human error into account, first put into effect in Sweden in the 1990s.
The goal of the initiative is to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries by creating multiple layers of protection, so if one fails, the others will create a safety net to lessen the impact of a crash. Improvements are designed to result in: safer people, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds and better post-crash care.
The announcement of Norway's award coincided with the publication of the safety council's new 19th Annual Road Safety Performance Index (PIN Report) that shows that while Norway stands out for its success, the broader picture is concerning: the mixed progress across Europe is a 'clear warning: the EU is significantly off track to meet its target of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.'
Eight countries, including Switzerland and Estonia, for example, saw an increase in deaths in 2024. However, while overall progress in Europe has been slow, some countries have made significant improvements:
The safety group said it was time for European Union (EU) institutions and national governments to renew their commitment to the Safe System approach, and to take stronger action.
'Norway proves that road deaths are not inevitable – they are preventable. But every country in Europe must now follow their example,' Avenoso said. The report calculated that about 23,800 lives have been saved since 2014 due to road safety improvements, and the estimated societal benefit of these saved lives amounts to €60 billion (nearly $70 billion).
'We know what works,' Avenoso added. 'The real challenge is political will. Without bold national and EU-level action, thousands more lives will be lost unnecessarily.'
For more information and to read the full report, with interactive maps, graphs charts, and data, click here and here.
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