Road safety problems - Transport Community: Albania and the region improving, but not to EU standards
The number of road accident fatalities in the Western Balkans fell by 2.9% in 2024, but the pace of improvement remains below the targets set for 2030.
According to the newly published report by the Transport Community for 2024, a total of 1,225 fatalities were recorded in the six countries of the region, down from 1,261 the previous year. Albania marked a decrease of 8.9%, recording 175 fatalities, down from 192 in 2023.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro also reported a decrease in the number of victims, while the situation has worsened in North Macedonia and Serbia, where increases of 11.8% and 2.2% were recorded, respectively.
The report shows that, although the trend is positive, the Western Balkans remains far from European Union standards. In 2024, the region recorded mortality rates well above the EU average of 45 victims per 1 million inhabitants, facing significant problems such as lack of supervision, outdated vehicles, speeding and failure to wear seat belts.
The Transport Community emphasizes that the countries of the region are not moving at the required pace to meet the regional target: a 25% reduction by 2027 and 50% by 2030. Currently, the level of implementation of the regional road safety plan is estimated at only 55%.
The report calls for strengthening responsible institutions, harmonizing legislation with EU directives, investing in safer infrastructure and improving driver behavior. According to the document, only with an integrated “Safe System” approach can the Western Balkan countries achieve their objectives and save more lives.
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