Nicosia: Cyprus recorded an 8.9% reduction in road deaths over the past decade, according to the 19th annual Road Safety PIN Report, which presents road safety data across the 27 EU Member States (EU27), as well as Switzerland, Israel, Norway, Serbia, and the United Kingdom, up to the end of 2024.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the EU27 overall recorded a 17.2% decrease in road deaths during the same period. In terms of road deaths per capita, Cyprus dropped to 13th place (tied with Lithuania) among the 27 EU Member States in 2024, down from 6th place in 2023, following an increase in fatalities from 34 to 41. Cyprus recorded a rate of 42 road deaths per million inhabitants in 2024, compared to the EU27 average of 45.
The report highlights that the reduction in serious road injuries between 2014 and 2024 across 24 EU Member States (EU24) providing data was minimal, with an average decline of only 13.8%. Only 16 of the 27 reporting countries saw a reduction. However, Cyprus stood out, achieving the highest reduction in serious injuries across the EU24 with a 51.6% decrease over the decade.
Cyprus is also among just 11 EU27 countries that managed to reduce both road fatalities and serious injuries between 2014 and 2024. The report makes special mention of Cyprus’ goal to meet 100% of its ideal ambulance response times at road collision sites by 2030.
In total, 20,017 people lost their lives on EU roads in 2024, marking a modest decrease of just 2% compared to 2023. This figure falls well short of the annual 6.1% reduction needed to meet the EU’s Vision Zero target of a 50% cut in fatalities by 2030. Cyprus saw a significant 21% increase in road deaths during this period – the second-highest rise among EU27 countries. Of the 32 countries participating in the PIN program, only 21 reported reductions in road fatalities between 2023 and 2024.
Compared to 2019 – the baseline year for the EU’s 2030 target – 25 out of 32 PIN countries registered a decrease in road fatalities by 2024. Lithuania and Poland led the way, each recording a 35% decline. Cyprus reported a 21% reduction, while the EU27 average was just 12%, far below the 27% reduction required to remain on track.
The 2025 Road Safety PIN Award was presented to Norway in recognition of the country’s long-standing commitment to road safety and sustained reduction in road deaths. The press release referred to Norway as ‘a model of vision and action.’ This marks Norway’s second time receiving the award, having first won it in 2016. Norway remains the safest country for road users among the 32 participating in the PIN program, with just 16 deaths per million population in 2024. By comparison, Cyprus recorded 42 deaths per million, and the EU27 average stood at 45, it is added.
Norway’s performance reflects years of implementing the Safe System Approach and pioneering policies at both national and local levels, the announcement concludes.