In a newly launched campaign, SNAP have identified the 'Hazardous Highways' of Europe - discovering that the roads in Bulgaria, Poland and Czechia have seen the highest average HGV fatalities per 10,000 miles of road network.
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 work needed 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, Austria and Sweden are considered three of the least dangerous countries for truck drivers to transit through in Europe.
After analysing the accident data and the number of fatalities across Europe, SNAP has established a hazard rating for each area within the research. 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.
“We created the hazard rating to warn drivers of the most treacherous roads in Europe. But the harsh reality is that there are no safe zones.
"All roads across the continent carry inherent risks, and drivers need to be continually resilient to changing driving conditions and in-country laws and regulations. We recommend that drivers familiarise themselves with road laws and their planned route before setting off.
“Most HGV drivers, especially those navigating central and eastern Europe, will be used to driving for exceptionally long distances and on less familiar roads.
"But they may be unaware of the best places to park and take a well-earned break from driving. This is why SNAP developed the intruck app, which features over 5,000+ truck stops - designed to navigate drivers to dedicated places for rest so they can focus on the road ahead.”
Managing Director
at SNAP
Please note: Grey areas were not included in this research.
RANKING | COUNTRY | AVERAGE YEARLY FATALITIES PER 10,000KM OF ROAD SURFACE | HAZARD RATING |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Bulgaria | 3.697067296 | 369 |
2 | Poland | 1.856026079 | 185 |
3 | Czechia | 1.622395176 | 162 |
4 | Romania | 1.620539177 | 162 |
5 | Lithuania | 1.553818627 | 155 |
6 | Nemecko | 1.432162363 | 143 |
7 | Luxembourg | 1.379786133 | 137 |
8 | Slovakia | 1.21112406 | 121 |
9 | Great Britain | 1.182377306 | 118 |
10 | Portugal | 1.182147165 | 118 |
Using the latest available data from ONS and the European Commission, the SNAP hazard rating has calculated the average number of fatal HGV crashes per year per 10,000km of the total road network, looking at data across the EU and GB from a 10-year period [2010-2020].
"It is vital to improve road infrastructure and facilities to ensure safety for the road haulage network across Europe. With over six million trucks operating in the EU, we need to minimise the dangers to haulage professionals when they're behind the wheel."
Managing Director
at SNAP
"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.”
UK Network Team Leader
at SNAP
TYPE | CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR IN REPORTED COLLISION | TOTAL | % |
---|---|---|---|
Driver/Rider error or reaction | Driver/Rider error or reaction | 18,269 | 49.12% |
Driver/Rider error or reaction | Driver or rider failed to look properly | 10,981 | 25.19% |
Driver/Rider error or reaction | Driver or rider failed to judge the other persons path | 6,107 | 14.01% |
Injudicious action | Injudicious action | 4,140 | 9.50% |
Vision affected by external factors | Vision affected by external factors | 4,087 | 9.38% |
Driver/Rider error or reaction | Driver/Rider error or reaction | 3,848 | 8.83% |
Behaviour or inexperience | Driver/Rider error or reaction | 3,699 | 8.49% |
Behaviour or inexperience | Driver or rider careless, wreckless or in a hurry | 2,936 | 6.74% |
Vision affected by external factors | Vehicle blind spot | 2,726 | 6.25% |
"It is great to see that collisions have decreased by nearly 50% in the last 10 years (-47.2%). But it is important to maintain driver welfare and ensure they have the necessary facilities to do their job effectively, so we can reduce these numbers further."
Managing Director
at SNAP
TYPE | LOCAL AUTHORITY | AVERAGE NUMBER OF HGV COLLISIONS PER YEAR |
---|---|---|
1 | Kent | 51.2 |
2 | Lincolnshire | 34.5 |
3 | Surrey | 33.1 |
4 | Cambridgeshire | 27.6 |
5 | Essex | 27.6 |
6 | North Yorkshire | 24 |
7 | Staffordshire | 23.4 |
8 | Lancashire | 21 |
9 | Warwickshire | 21 |
10 | Hampshire | 20.8 |
The evidence from this research shows that, despite the skills of HGV drivers across the continent, exposure to daily hazards can make driving life challenging.
Work is needed to ensure that truck drivers are safe on the roads while doing their job. Ongoing road improvements and intelligent industry technology will inevitably enhance the security of haulage professionals. But driver welfare needs to be focused on, in addition to the availability of reputable truck parking locations so drivers can effectively rest.
"Truck drivers play a hugely significant role across Europe, and we need to ensure that they are safe and have everything they need to do their jobs efficiently."
"We are supporting the driver industry by growing a network of truck parking locations across Europe that drivers can use to rest and recharge before the next leg of their journey."
Managing Director
at SNAP