Research: Which EU country has the most dangerous drivers?

The EU has been working to reduce road accidents for years, but new large-scale research from VignetteSwitzerland.com shows that the solution is not that simple.

Researchers analyzed six key factors – from death rates to seatbelt and phone use – to determine which EU countries have the drivers most prone to reckless behavior. It is worth noting that several high-ranking countries on this list have very high standards of living.

The country with the most dangerous drivers is Latvia, with 75 deaths per one million people each year.

Austria, known for its high living standards, ranks second. Almost one in five (22.1%) Austrian drivers admitted to drinking and driving.

Third on the list is Greece, where 28% of drivers neglect to use seat belts.

Finland and Luxembourg are also included. In Finland, 40% of drivers use their phones while driving – the highest rate in the study. Meanwhile, four out of ten drivers in Luxembourg admitted to driving while intoxicated.

“It is extremely concerning that these countries have such high levels of reckless driving,” says Mattis Vijmalen, CEO of Vignette Switzerland.

Among all EU countries, Sweden stands out by having the lowest road-fatality rate – only 22 deaths per one million inhabitants. This is significantly below the EU average and highlights Sweden’s strong approach to road safety.

Despite persistent regional issues, the European Commission reported an overall 3% decrease in road deaths in 2024, equivalent to 600 lives saved. However, Brussels warns that progress remains “too slow,” and many countries are unlikely to meet the ambitious goal of halving road fatalities by 2030.

The main risk areas remain the same: rural roads (52% of deaths), male drivers (77%), and vulnerable groups such as older people (65+) and young adults (18-24).
In urban areas, nearly 70% of fatalities involve motorcyclists, pedestrians, or cyclists.This data serves as an important reminder that while safety technologies and improved infrastructure matter, the decisive factor is – and always will be – the behavior of every single driver on the road.