According to data published by Albanian State Institute of Statistics (known lically as "INSTAT") and Monitor's calculations, in 2020 Albania had 63.9 deaths per 1 million inhabitants from road accidents, out of 43 which was the average for European Union countries, according to Eurostat, Monitor reports.
Our country ranks eighth among 37 countries in Europe for the number of deaths from road accidents in relation to the population. The data belong to the year 2020 and are the result of crossing Eurostat figures for the European Union, INSTAT and Transport Community Permanent Secretariat for the region (see chart at bottom).
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| Graph of traffic accidents resulting in death in European countries |
Fewer accidents in the region during 2020 were registered in Kosovo, with 43 deaths per million inhabitants, the same as the average rate of the European Union. The respect of road signs by drivers and pedestrians, the human factor, awareness campaigns, and stricter legislation seem to have resulted in positive results for the protection of life for Kosovo Albanians.
Careless region on the road
In absolute value, the number of deaths from accidents in 2020 in Albania was 181. Compared to other years, these figures are greatly reduced, as a result of the restriction of circulation by Covid-19.
According to INSTAT data, 23% of them were women. During the same year, a total of 1,234 road accidents were counted. Of these, in 85% of the cases the drivers were at fault and in 15% of the cases, the pedestrians were at fault.
In fact, countries in the region top the list for the highest number of deaths caused by road accidents. Romania ranks first, where according to statistical data for 2020 there were 85 deaths for every 1 million inhabitants. Followed by Montenegro, in second place with 77, Serbia in fourth place with 71, and Bulgaria with 67, referring to the report of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat.
In neighboring countries such as Italy and Greece, the rate of deaths from accidents during 2020 is estimated to be 40 and 54 respectively, according to Eurostat.
What are the main causes of accidents in Albania?
Avni Ponari, CEO of Sigal Uniqa Group Austria in an analysis a few years ago listed nine reasons why there are so many accidents in Albania, among which we mention: Driving without proper practices, loss of reflexes or control of the vehicle, road infrastructure, overused vehicles on bad roads. lack of signage on entrance and exit roads, driving under the influence of alcohol, multi-functional use of car roads by passing trucks, cars, cows, and sheep, bicycles without criteria, lack of proper side protectors, placement of tires used by drivers, the use of the same tires in both winter and summer and finally the lack of fear of the law.
Latvia and Poland record in the European Union
Among the member countries of the European Union, the record for the highest number of deaths from road accidents was set by Latvia and Poland with respectively 73 and 66 deaths per 1 million inhabitants there, according to Eurostat.
The highest rates of fatal accidents are recorded in rural areas, in countries such as: Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, and the peripheral areas of France, Poland, and Romania.