ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIASLOVENIA1

ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIASLOVENIA
In 2020, 80 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in Slovenia, the country’s lowest roadmortality level and a 21.6 % decrease compared to 2019. The improvement in road safety
in 2020 was partly a consequence of the measures in force in response to the Covid-19
pandemic. In 2020, the decrease in traffic volumes compared to 2019 was similar to thereduction of road fatalities. The National Road Safety Programme 2013-2022 set a targetto halve the number of road deaths by 2022 compared to a baseline of 2011. The main
measures to improve road safety focus on vulnerable road users.

Road safety management and strategy
Fatalities peaked in 1979 when 735
people died on the road. Since then, thenumber of road deaths has steadilydecreased with relative stagnation
between 2002 and 2007. Fatalities
declined noticeably from 2007 to 2010,
most likely due to a new motorway toll
system, regular media campaigns
promoting road safety and the Road
Safety Act that came into force in 2008.
From 2010 to 2014, road fatalities
decreased by 22%, from 138 to 108. A
negative trend emerged in 2015 and2016, with an average 10% year-onyear increase in road deaths. After
consecutive substantial decreases in2017 and 2018 and another rise in road
fatalities in 2019, the number of roaddeaths in 2020 has reached the lowest
level since systematic record-keeping inSlovenia began.

Slovenia: Quick facts
Population: 2.1 million
GDP per capita: USD 25 231
Road network: 21 230 km•

urban roads: 32%•rural roads: 67%•motorways: 4%

Registered motor vehicles: 1.5 million•cars: 79%•goods vehicles: 8%•motorcycles: 5%

Speed limits:•urban roads: 50 km/h•

rural roads: 90 km/h•

expressways: 110 km/h•

motorways: 130 km/h

Limits on Blood Alcohol Content:•

general drivers: 0.5 g/l•

professional drivers: 0.0 g/l•

novice drivers: 0.0 g/l

Road fatalities: 80•

pedestrians: 9%

Responsibility for the co-ordination of•
cyclists: 10%
road safety in Slovenia lies with the•car occupants: 48%
SlovenianTraffic
SafetyAgency,•motorcyclists: 31%
created in 2010 as an independent•
other: 4%agency financially linked to the Ministry
Road fatalities per 100 000 population: 3.8of Infrastructure. The agency is theRoad fatalities per 10 000 vehicles: 0.5
Cost of road crashes: 2% of GDP
leading
nationaltrafficsafety
All data 2020 unless otherwise stated.
organisation,bringing
togetherexpertise in the road safety field. Theagency’s mission covers research and analysis, preventative and educational programmes

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ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

and programmes for national road safety, drivers, vehicles and driver rehabilitation. Since
2016, the agency has also been in charge of undertaking independent investigations offatal crashes in co-operation with the police and road safety auditors. One of the focusesof these investigations is the condition of road infrastructure.
The government adopted the Slovenian National Road Safety Programme 2013-2022 inMarch 2013. The programme is based on Vision Zero, aiming for no fatalities or seriously
injured people on Slovenian roads. The priorities addressed in the national road safety
programme are: driver education and training, preventative action and media campaignsfor vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians, children, the elderly and cyclists) andmeasures against the main killers on the roads (speed and alcohol).
Biennial action plans are described in the 2013-22 strategy framework.
The main target is to halve by 2022 (compared to 2011) the number of fatalities and thoseseriously injured and reach a fatality rate below 3.5 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants andfewer than 230 seriously injured per million inhabitants. Based on the latest data, Slovenia
is currently on track to reach its targets.
A board of directors regularly monitors the implementation of the National Road Safety
Programme. It provides strategic guidelines towards the achievement of national roadsafety targets. In July 2021, the interministerial working group responsible for monitoringand executing the National Programme assessed the implementation of the national roadsafety programme for 2020. The main conclusions were to encourage road users to act
more responsibly, respect regulations and raise awareness of the importance of roadsafety, emphasising the quality of the infrastructure and the market penetration of safer
vehicles.

Latest road safety measures
Various legislation amendments have been prepared, such as changes in speeding, mobile
phone use and e-scooter use. A new law on road traffic rules has been in force since August2021. It includes the regulation of e-scooters, stricter penalties for the use of mobile
phones while driving and the reduction of some speeding fines.
The action plan for 2019 and 2020 was prepared by the interdepartmental working groupand is being implemented. An in-depth investigation of fatal crashes started in 2016. The
investigations will help identify and implement the measures most likely to bring positive
results. In 2019, 18 fatal traffic crashes were investigated. In 2013, the government
established a board of directors to monitor, lead and supervise the implementation of theNational Road Safety Programme and report to the National assembly. The board of3

ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

directors met once in 2019 to monitor the implementation of the National Road Safety
Programme.
Road safety campaigns are regularly conducted focusing on the main road safety topics(speeding, drink driving, seat belt use, etc.). In 2019, two new campaigns were launched:safety in summer months and proper driving on the motorways.
Slovenia is co-operating with Italy and Austria towards safe motorcycling through the Alps.
The road network is regularly audited, identifying and treating high-risk sections. The rules
related to road traffic signs and equipment were updated in 2016 to harmonise with
European standards.

Costs of road crashes
Traffic crashes represent a high cost for society, estimated in 2020 at around EUR 940
million (2% of GDP). The figure is based on the number of reported crashes and an
estimate of non-reported crashes, using the Harmonised European Approaches forTransport Costing and Project Assessment (HEATCO) methodology, adapted to thespecific conditions in Slovenia.

Safety performance indicators
Speed
Speeding is one of the leading causes of road crashes. In 2020, 27 road fatalities (34%of total road fatalities) were caused by excessive speed. Speed is the critical risk factor
for the most vulnerable participants (pedestrians, cyclists, the elderly and children). It isa crucial factor in the severity of the consequences for drivers and passengers in vehicles.
Speeding is critical, particularly in urban areas, where the average speed is well above
the 50 km/h speed limit.
Drink-driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is another major cause of road crashes in Slovenia
and is responsible for about one-third of fatal injury crashes. Recent data show that thenumber of alcohol-related crashes decreased by 12% in 2020 compared to 2019, with adecrease of 18% in the number of alcohol-related road fatalities. Since 2000, the numberof deaths caused by drink driving has decreased by 76%, but the share of deaths remains
the same at around one-third (with minor fluctuations).
The maximum permissible blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.5 g/l for most drivers and 0.0
g/l for professional drivers and drivers who have had their licence for less than threeyears. A crash is defined as an alcohol-related crash when one of the active participants
has a BAC above the limit.

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ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

Drugs and driving
Data on the role of drug use by road users in road crashes is probably underreported. In
2020, official data attributed around 0.4% of traffic crashes to drivers under the influenceof drugs. However, the police rarely check if the driver is under the influence of drugs.
A crash is drug-related when the person responsible for the crash tests positive for drugs(via a blood test). A police officer has the right to administer an on-the-spot drug test incase of suspicion. If the driver refuses this test, the police may demand a morecomprehensive medical examination.
In 2016, the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency started to address the problem of driving
under the influence of drugs and conducted an online questionnaire about the use ofdrugs while driving. More than 3 000 respondents completed the questionnaire. The
responses showed that 8% of drivers occasionally drive under the influence of drugs(most commonly cannabis, followed by cocaine and amphetamines).
Use of mobile phones while driving
An increasing problem for traffic safety in Slovenia is the use of mobile phones whiledriving. The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving is not permitted in Slovenia.
The use of hands-free devices is tolerated. According to the findings from recent
research, 75% of drivers use a mobile phone while driving. Among those, 30% use it forsocial networking, 30% for writing notes, 5% for the internet, 3% for mobile applications,and 9% for listening to music and navigation.
A neuro-scientific experiment was carried out to determine how the use of mobile phones
while driving influences the brain’s functioning. It showed that the brain areas responsible
for vision during a telephone conversation are less active. Texting while driving revealed
an overload of the frontal cortex (influencing the effective focusing of the eyes), themotor cortex (responsible for executive functions) and the parietal cortex (which ensuresco-ordination and orientation in the space).
Seat belt and helmet use
Seat belt wearing has been compulsory in Slovenia since 1977 in front seats and from1988 in rear seats. Dedicated child restraints are mandatory for children under 150 cm.
The seat belt wearing rate in 2018 was 94.8% for drivers and 95.6% for front-seat
occupants.
For motorcyclists, helmet wearing is the most effective passive safety habit. There is nodata on the helmet wearing rate for motorcycle and moped riders.

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Bicycle helmets are compulsory for children up to 18 years of age. According to anobservation of cyclists carried out in 2017, 15.6% of cyclists were wearing a helmet, butthere were significant differences among age groups. For children, the wearing rate was66%, for adults 15.6% and young people 6.3%.

Road safety data for Slovenia at a glanceLong-term road safety trends for Slovenia

Reported safety dataFatalities

1990

2000

2010

2018

2019

2020 % change over2019
2010
2000
1990

2020

517314

138

91

102

80

-21.6

-42.0

-74.5

..

8 951

7 596

6 014

6 025

4 777

-20.7

-37.1

-46.6

..

25.9

15.8

6.7

4.4

4.9

3.8

-22.1

-43.4

-75.8

-85.3

6.9

3.2

1.1

0.6

0.7

0.5

-22.9

-49.4

-83.1

-92.2

65.1

26.7

7.7

4.2

4.5

4.0

-12.9

-48.9

-85.2

-93.9

Pedestrians

..

60

26

1315

7-53.3

-73.1

-88.3

..

Cyclists

..

26

16

8

9

8

-11.1

-50.0

-69.2

..

Moped riders

..

2162

3

6

100.0

0.0-71.4..

Motorcyclists..

1917162218-18.2

5.9-5.3..

Passenger car occupants..

179684447

38-19.1

-44.1

-78.8

..

Other road users..

95863-50.0-40.0-66.7..

Injury crashes
Deaths per 100 000 population
Deaths per 10 000 registeredvehiclesDeaths per billion vehicle
kilometres
Fatalities by road user

-84.5

Fatalities by age group0-14 years

..

820

1

3

200.0

50.0

-62.5

..

15-17 years

..

18412

3

50.0

-25.0

-83.3

..

18-20 years

..

233

753

-40.0

0.0-87.0..

21-24 years

..

28

1683

6

100.0

-62.5-78.6..

25-64 years

..

181

82

60

63

49-22.2-40.2

-72.9

..

65-74 years

..

34

137

1410-28.6-23.1-70.6..

≥ 75 years

..

2218

814

6-57.1-66.7-72.7..

Urban roads

..

101

60

26

27

29

7.4

-51.7-71.3..

Rural roads

..

185

57

47

61

45-26.2-21.1-75.7..

Motorways

..

28

21

15

146-57.1-71.4-78.6

..

7 945

11 75917 82621 88622 47720 242

-9.9

13.6

72.1

154.8

749

979

1 290

1 416

1 452

1 478

1.8

14.6

51.0

97.4

375.2

492.5

630.4

685.3

698.0

705.4

1.1

11.9

43.2

88.0

Fatalities by road type

Traffic data
Vehicle kilometres (millions)Registered vehicles(thousands)
Registered vehicles per 1 000
population

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ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

Evolution of road fatalities, injury crashes, motorisation, traffic and GDP inSlovenia, 2000-20
Index 2000 = 100

Road fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants in Slovenia in comparison with IRTAD
countries, 2020

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ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

Road fatalities per 10 000 vehicles in Slovenia in comparison with IRTADcountries, 2020

Note: in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Hungary registered vehicles do not include
mopeds.

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ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

Road fatalities per billion vehicle-kilometres in Slovenia in comparison withIRTAD countries, 2019

Evolution of road fatalities in Slovenia by user category, age group and roadtype, 2010-20

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Road fatalities in Slovenia by user category, 2020

Road fatalities in Slovenia by road type, 2020

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ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

Road fatality rate in Slovenia by user category and age group, 2020
Rate per 100 000 population in the same age group

Cost of road crashes in Slovenia, 2020
Unit Cost (EUR)

Total (EUR)

Fatalities

1 998 467

165.9 million

Severe injuries

232 139208.4 million

Slight injuries

22 892331.7 million

Property damage costs

238.8 million

Total

0.94 billion

Total as % of GDP

2.0

Note: total includes estimates for non-reported crashes.
Seat belt wearing rates
Percentages
20102016

2018

Driver9290

94.8

Passenger

9392

95.6

General696978.1

Children 0-7 (use of child restraint)..

9394.3

Children 8-14..

8890.1

Front seats

Rear seats11

ROAD SAFETY REPORT 2021 | SLOVENIA

Research and resources
Websites
Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency: https://www.avp-rs.si/.
Slovenian Infrastructure Agency: http://www.di.gov.si/en/.
Slovenian Traffic Statistics: https://www.policija.si/eng/about-the-police/statisticaldata/annual-reports-on-the-work-of-the-police.

Definition, methodology, data collection•Road fatality: any person killed immediately or who died within 30 days due to aroad crash.

•Seriously injured person: any person who sustains injuries from a road trafficcrash entailing temporary or permanent health damage or temporary orpermanent reduced ability to work.

•Slightly injured person: any person injured excluding persons seriously injured.

In Slovenia, the police, who are the primary source of information for road fatalities andinjuries, collect crash data. The police confirm the information on the severity of injuries
with hospitals. However, there is no procedure in place for linking data.
With support from the Institute of Public Health, the Traffic Safety Agency has startedestimating the number of persons injured with a Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale of 3
or more (MAIS3+). This estimation will use the conversion tables provided by theEuropean Commission to convert injury information based on the tenth revision of theInternational Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
into MAIS3+ data. Further work is still needed before Slovenia can publish official
MAIS3+ data. The converter had many shortcomings, so additional work on this must bedone.

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