Albania, the sixth for the highest deaths from road accidents in Europe

Although they have come down, deaths from road accidents in Albania remain among the highest in Europe.

According to INSTAT, in 2022, 164 people lost their lives in car accidents, or 59 people per 1 million inhabitants. This figure is higher than the European Union average of 46 victims per 1 million inhabitants, according to data published by Eurostat.

In total, Albania ranks sixth, behind Romania, which holds the record with 86 deaths per 1 million inhabitants, Bulgaria (78), Croatia (71) and Portugal (60).

There are no recent data for the countries of the region, but previous statistics refer to their number being lower than in Albania.

However, a positive development is that the number of victims from road accidents in Albania has decreased significantly in recent years.

In 2022 there were 164 deaths, which is the lowest figure ever recorded since 2000, when the data is reported (see chart: Killed in road accidents, Albania). Compared to 2077, when the record of casualties was recorded, the lives lost have been halved in 2022.

According to INSTAT, about 70-80% of accidents are caused by drivers. The young 25-34 age group are generally the most careless.

Road traffic deaths in the EU increased by 4% in 2022

According to Eurostat, 20,653 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents in the European Union during 2022, marking an increase of 4 percent compared to 2021 (19,917 victims). The number of victims has increased for two years in a row after the unprecedented decline in 2020 (18,833), the year when the restrictions of COVID-19 affected passenger transport.

The highest road fatality rate was recorded in Romania, while the lowest in Sweden.

In 2022, there were an average of 46 road traffic fatalities per 1 million inhabitants in the EU. Taking into account the population of each EU country, the lowest rate of road deaths in 2022 was recorded in Sweden (22 road deaths per 1 million inhabitants), followed by Denmark (26) and Ireland (31) .

While the highest rates were recorded in Romania (86 road deaths per million inhabitants), followed by Bulgaria (78) and Croatia (71)./ Monitor