EUROPE'S HAZARDOUS HIGHWAYS

In a revisited campaign, SNAP has identified Europe's 'Hazardous Highways', presenting updated data and identifying changing results.

Results from 2023 showed Bulgaria, Poland, and Czechia had the highest average HGV fatalities per 10,000 miles of road network. In this revisited campaign, Bulgaria and Czechia remain in the same positions, while Lithuania moves up to second spot with a hazard rating of 165. We also found HGV collisions have halved in Great Britain since 2012 and the number of fatality incidents has fallen.

The intention of the investigation is not to label certain countries as more dangerous than others. But, to highlight international truck driver safety and the progress made to meet the United Nations, 'Vision Zero' mission to achieve zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.

At the safer end of the spectrum, Denmark, Malta, and Sweden are considered three of the least dangerous countries for truck drivers to transit through in Europe.

HIGHER HAZARD SCORES INDICATE RISKIER ROADS

After analysing the accident data and the number of fatalities across Europe, SNAP has established a hazard rating for each area within the research - data from the European Commissions' annual statistical report, Autotraveler's Road Network, and GOV. UK statistics have been utilised. The score is calculated based on the average yearly fatality rate per 10,000 miles of road - looking at data from the previous 10 years.

“All roads across Europe come with inherent risks. Therefore, drivers must stay vigilant to changing conditions and local regulations.

At SNAP, we’re committed to supporting drivers by providing tools and knowledge to help them navigate these challenges. Many HGV drivers, especially in central and eastern Europe, face long distances on unfamiliar roads. To assist, SNAP developed the intruck app, featuring 5,000+ truck stops, ensuring drivers find safe, dedicated places to rest and refocus.”

Matthew Bellamy

Managing Director

ROAD SAFETY MAP OF EUROPE

Hazard rating

Please note: Grey areas were not included in this research.

EU HAZARDOUS ROADS BY THE NUMBERS

After analysing the EU data, Bulgaria remained in the number one spot - with more fatal HGV collisions per year than second and third-placed Lithuania and Czechia. However, when combined, Lithuania and Czechia totalled more than Bulgaria, with an average of 25 HGV occupant fatalities per year.
In total, there were 452 HGV fatalities in 2022.
Most collisions occur in daylight (56%), with one in four occurring between 15-17:00hrs – accounting for rush hour traffic.
For HGVs, 40% of all fatal collisions happen in rural areas - highlighting a need for road safety infrastructure developments to expand past motorways.
Across Europe, on average, there is less than one fatal HGV crash per 10,000km of road surface area each year.
Denmark, Sweden, and Malta ranked as the least dangerous countries for truck drivers.

TOP HAZARDOUS COUNTRIES FOR HGV’s

RANKING	COUNTRY	AVERAGE YEARLY FATALITIES PER 10,000KM OF ROAD SURFACE	HAZARD RATING
1	Bulgaria	5.5	554
2	Lithuania	1.6	165
3	Czechia	1.57	157
4	Romania	1.52	153
5	Italy	1.2	126
6	Germany	1.15	115
7	Portugal	1.129	113
8	Great Britain	1.126	113
9	Belgium	1.0	104
10	Luxembourg	0.9	94

"Road infrastructure and facilities must be improved to safeguard the road haulage network across Europe. Over six million trucks are operating within the EU, so prioritising the safety of haulage professionals is essential. We must minimise the dangers to these professionals when they're behind the wheel - to protect their well-being and ensure continued efficiency and reliability throughout the industry."

Nick Renton

Head of European Strategy & Business Development

UNITED KINGDOM: HGV HAZARDS STATISTICS

When looking at data from the United Kingdom, SNAP found the following statistics -demonstrating the importance of creating more reputable truck parking locations and enhancing driver welfare.

HGV collisions of all types in the UK have halved since 2012. There were 6,873 collisions in 2012 compared with just 3,438 in 2023. The number of fatality incidents is also down, but not by as much - 25% - suggesting that improved road developments and vehicle technology reduce the number of accidents on UK roads.
Across UK regions, the reported HGV road casualties in 2023 are below the yearly average between 2014-2022.
For all vehicles, more densely populated regions have the highest average number of collisions, with London having far higher averages than anywhere else.
Local authorities within the South East (4 locations) and Eastern (3 locations) regions dominated the list for the top 10 areas in the UK with the most yearly average reported road collisions.

"The South East and Eastern regions of the UK see considerable amounts of HGV traffic transiting to and from London and Dover. The increased number of vehicles on the road inevitably leads to a higher risk of accidents, and this becomes apparent in the data.”

Lisa McIntyre

Head of Commercial - UK

TOP CAUSES OF HGV ACCIDENTS IN GB OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS (2014-2022)

TYPE	CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR REPORTED IN COLLISION	TOTAL	%
Driver/Rider error or reaction	Driver or rider error or reaction	511	32.1%
Driver/Rider error or reaction	Driver or rider failed to look properly	325	20.4%
Impairment or distraction	Impairment or distraction	175	10.9%
Vision affected by external factor	Vision affected by external factors	124	7.7%
Behaviour or inexperience	Behaviour or inexperience	102	6.4%
Injudicious actions	Injudicious actions	83	5.2%
Driver or rider error or reaction	Poor turn or manoeuvre	73	4.5%
Road environment contributed	Road environment contributed	38	2.3%
Special codes	Special codes	33	2.0%
Vehicle defects	Vehicle defects	25	1.5%

UK REGIONS

Since 2012, truck drivers have been involved in over 47,000 accidents involving an HGV within the UK.
The South East is home to the UK's most dangerous roads for truckers - with an average of 166 HGV collisions occurring in the region per year.
Kent has the most collisions in the UK (42 average per year) and is proposing a target of zero road fatalities on the Kent Highway Network by 2050.

"It's great to see that HGV collisions have halved since 2012. However, it's important the industry still has a strong focus on driver welfare and ensures HGV drivers have the necessary facilities to do their job effectively - by doing this, we can reduce these numbers further."

Matthew Bellamy

Managing Director

MOST HAZARDOUS GB LOCATIONS

REGION	LOCAL AUTHORITY	AVERAGE PER YEAR
South East	Kent	42
East Midlands	Lincolnshire	36
South East	Surrey	29
East of England	Essex	25
East of England	Cambridgeshire	25
Yorkshire and The Humber	North Yorkshire	21
West Midlands	Staffordshire	20
South East	Hampshire	19
North West	Lancashire	18
West Midlands	Warwickshire	18

CALLING FOR SAFER ROADS ACROSS EUROPE

Despite HGV drivers having a wealth of experience, exposure to daily hazards can make driving life challenging. This research highlights the importance of road safety campaigns to raise public awareness and ensure truck drivers are protected while behind the wheel.

Industry technology and ongoing road improvements must advance to improve the security of haulage professionals. Driver welfare should remain a focus point for the industry, in addition to the availability of reputable truck parking locations. SNAP continues to use its platform to help improve driver safety and provide improved truck operations.

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