Skip to main content

Improved Czech road safety

The Czech Republic has seen road safety gains.
By MJ Woof January 6, 2025 Read time: 1 min
The Czech Republic has seen a steady reduction in road crashes and fatalities over the decades - image courtesy of Mike Woof


Major gains in road safety are being seen in the Czech Republic compared with the high number of fatalities in previous decades. In 1969 road deaths in the Czech Republic peaked at 1,758, dropping slowly to 1,473 in 1994. However, for 2023, there were just 455 road deaths in the Czech Republic. 

This mirrors road safety gains seen in most European nations from peaks in road deaths in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The data comes from the Czech Statistical Office. Some of the improvement in road safety derives from vehicles have better braking and safety systems, as well as better occupant protection. Some of the improvement in road safety derives from better quality infrastructure, with gains in guardrail technology, traffic management systems and also lighting for example. Some of the gains also come from the increases in multi lane highway sections, which reduce the risk of high speed head on collisions.

Meanwhile, a survey carried out jointly by the Czech Association of Insurance Companies and the Czech Office of Insurers reveals that there were 14,517 crashes at roundabouts in the Czech Republic between 2010 and 2023. However, 73% of crashes at roundabouts did not result in injuries. By comparison, 65% of crashes at conventional intersections did not result in injuries.
 

 

Related Content

  • Japan’s safer roads see casualties fall
    January 10, 2018
    Japan has seen its road safety levels improve significantly in 2017, compared with the previous year. Data compiled by Japan’s National Police Agency shows that there were 3,694 traffic fatalities in the country in 2017, a drop of 210 from the previous year. There were 1,171 pedestrian fatalities, a drop of 1% from the previous year. Meanwhile vehicle occupants accounted for 1,106 deaths and 436 cyclists were killed in crashes. According to the authorities, tougher enforcement of road traffic rules played
  • Road safety improving, but vulnerable road users need protection
    January 11, 2013
    Preliminary data from France over the number of fatalities on the road network reveal safety improvements during 2012. The numbers killed dropped by 7-8%, although the final figures for December are not yet available. The preliminary figures suggest that around 3,600-3,700 were killed on French roads in 2012, compared with 3,970 in 2011. This reduction is in line with targets on cutting the death rate and Ministry of the Interior wants to bring the fatality rate to just 2,000 by 2020. This reduction has bee
  • Concern over Taiwan’s road safety
    July 1, 2024
    There is concern over Taiwan’s road safety record.
  • Concern at lack of progress on cutting EU road deaths
    November 21, 2016
    Concern is being expressed in the EU over an increase in road deaths for 2015 compared with 2014. Road deaths from crashes grew by 0.5% to 26,112. Although the increase is slight, The EU is trying to reduce road deaths and the figures for 2015 are of concern. The stated aim for the EU in the 2010-2020 period is to halve road deaths, but progress now looks to have faltered. Finland saw an increase in road deaths of 16%, while the Netherlands and Austria saw road fatalities rise by around 11%. Most dangero