COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Monitoring Road Safety Progress in the EU - Slovakia Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Report on the Implementation of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework at the Mid-Point
Date: 2026-02-13
Institutions: Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission
Subjects: EU investment, Slovakia, accident prevention, common transport policy, innovation, road safety, road transport, transport accident, transport infrastructure, transport statistics

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 13.2.2026  SWD(2026) 56 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Monitoring Road Safety Progress in the EU - Slovakia Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Report on the Implementation of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework at the Mid-Point {COM(2026) 77 final} - {SWD(2026) 33 final} - {SWD(2026) 34 final} - {SWD(2026) 35 final} - {SWD(2026) 36 final} - {SWD(2026) 37 final} - {SWD(2026) 38 final} - {SWD(2026) 39 final} - {SWD(2026) 40 final} - {SWD(2026) 41 final} - {SWD(2026) 42 final} - {SWD(2026) 43 final} - {SWD(2026) 44 final} - {SWD(2026) 45 final} - {SWD(2026) 46 final} - {SWD(2026) 47 final} - {SWD(2026) 48 final} - {SWD(2026) 49 final} - {SWD(2026) 50 final} - {SWD(2026) 51 final} - {SWD(2026) 52 final} - {SWD(2026) 53 final} - {SWD(2026) 54 final} - {SWD(2026) 55 final} - {SWD(2026) 57 final} - {SWD(2026) 58 final} - {SWD(2026) 59 final}  
 
 
Contents 

1. Summary .................................................................................................................... 2 

2. Road Safety Strategy and Measures .......................................................................... 3 

2.1 Road Safety Strategy............................................................................................ 3 

2.2 Road Safety Governance...................................................................................... 3 

2.3 Main Safety Issues ............................................................................................... 3 

2.4 Road Safety Targets ............................................................................................. 4 

2.5 Road Safety Measures.......................................................................................... 4 

3. Road Safety Progress ................................................................................................. 4 

3.1 Road Safety Outcomes ......................................................................................... 4 

3.2 Road Safety Performance Indicators ................................................................... 7 

4. Monitoring Road Safety Strategy Implementation .................................................... 8 

4.1 Implementation Progress ..................................................................................... 8 

4.2 Best Practices ..................................................................................................... 12 

4.3 Gaps ................................................................................................................... 14 

5. Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................ 14 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Summary 

In 2024, Slovakia was slightly above the EU average (45), with 48 road fatalities per million 
inhabitants. Compared to 2019, a decrease of 5% in road fatalities was achieved. In 2023, 894 
serious injuries were recorded, which is 15% lower than the respective figure in 2019. 

Compared to the EU average, the distribution of fatalities in Slovakia showed a high proportion 
of  car  occupants  and  pedestrians,  as  well  as  of  people  aged  between  25-49  years  old. 
Additionally, a significant increase was recorded in fatalities in single vehicle crashes and on 
motorways over the period 2019-2023. 

In the Road Safety Strategy 2030 of Slovakia, the targets of halving the numbers of road 
fatalities and serious  injuries by 2030 compared to  2020 have been set. The Road Safety 
Strategy of Slovakia, based on the progress of the previous years and the future challenges, has 
defined a set of road safety priorities for the decade 2021-2030. Considering these priorities, a 
wide range of 70 actions have been defined, assigned in 5 fields of action.  

Based on the latest available data, in 2024, Slovakia is currently not yet on track to meeting 
the fatality 2030 target. In addition, Slovakia falls short from meeting the 2030 target of 
halving the number of serious injuries, with the observed number of serious injuries being 
4% higher than the target value in 2023.  

Based on the self-reported assessment, this  deviation  from  the road safety targets  is  mainly 
attributed  to  the  high  rate  of  risky  driver  behaviour  observed  after  the  Covid-19  pandemic 
(particularly  speeding  and  disregarding  traffic  regulations),  the  inadequate  cooperation 
between  national  and  regional  authorities  in  implementing  road  safety  measures  and  the 
increase in the number of registered motor vehicles. 

Regarding the implementation of the road safety actions foreseen in the national strategy for 
the period 2021-2024, there is a smooth implementation flow in almost all pillars based on 
the self-reported assessment. The implementation of the measures only in one of the 21 road 
safety areas has not yet started and is delayed in another one. Both these areas are from the 
road  safety  management  pillar.  In  all  other  pillars,  the  implementation  of  the  measures  is 
underway. It is noted that in 12 out of 21 examined road safety areas of all pillars, the starting 
level in 2021 is assessed as medium, while for 5 areas the baseline is assessed as low. 

A  set  of  best  practices  is  available  for  Slovakia,  which  cover  all  pillars.  These  concern 
legislative  changes,  activities  for  more  efficient  traffic  enforcement,  interventions  on  urban 
roads with focus on the safety of vulnerable road users (VRUs), as well as interventions on 
rural  roads  and  highways.  A  successful  communication  campaign  programme  has  been 
implemented,  focusing  on  several  key  topics.  Finally,  measures  were  taken  to  verify  the 
correctness of the vehicle technical inspections.  

Among  the  main  challenges  in  implementing  the  road  safety  strategy  are  the  relatively 
fragmented road safety  management model, the  prioritisation  of other state policies besides 
road  safety,  the  need  for  increased  funding  for  preventive  activities  to  implement  effective 
measures, and the need for a massive nationwide media campaign on current topics of road 
safety. 

Finally,  despite  that  the  implementation  of  the  foreseen  road  safety  actions  appears  to  be 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
broadly  on  track,  the  number  of  fatalities  has  fallen  slightly  since  2019.  The  possible  way 
forward to address this could be by:  

• 

re-defining  the  road  safety  management  model,  ensuring  also  better  coordination 
between national and regional authorities, 

•  exploring any other relevant actions, that could better address the road safety challenges 

cited above. 

2. Road Safety Strategy and Measures 

2.1 Road Safety Strategy 

The National Road Safety Strategy of the Slovak Republic for the decade 2021-2030 was 
adopted on December 1, 2021 through the Government Resolution No. 700/2021. This strategy 
was developed by the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic (MD SR) in coordination 
with other relevant stakeholders. 

The measures set out for the Decade of Action for Road Safety by 2030 are organised into five 
framework objectives, which take into account the proposed initiatives of the White Paper 
2050 – Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource 
efficient transport system in the area of improving road safety.  

Table 25.1: National road safety strategy  

Timeframe 
Lead Authority 

Link 

Slovakia 
2021-2030 
Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, Road Safety Department 
https://www.mindop.sk/ministerstvo-1/doprava-3/bezpecnost-cestnej-
premavky/national-road-safety-strategy-of-the-slovak-republic-2021-2030  

2.2 Road Safety Governance 

The Ministry of Transportof the Slovak Republic in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, 
the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, are responsible for the formulation of 
the national road safety strategy.  

Τhe Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic is responsible for the monitoring of road 
safety developments in the country. 

2.3 Main Safety Issues 

Based on the road safety statistics of 2020, a series of main safety issues are identified in the 
road safety strategy of Slovakia1: 

• 
In 2020, there were 875 road crashes involving pedestrians, with 42 killed pedestrians. 
•  There were 697 road crashes involving cyclists in Slovakia in 2020; 384 of which were 

caused by cyclists and 21 cyclists were killed. 

1 Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic. (2021). National road safety strategy of the 
Slovak 
https://www.mindop.sk/ministerstvo-1/doprava-3/bezpecnost-cestnej-
premavky/national-road-safety-strategy-of-the-slovak-republic-2021-2030 

2021–2030. 

Republic 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

In  2020  there  were  571  road  crashes  involving  motorcyclists;  334  of  which  were 
caused by motorcyclists and 21 motorcyclists were killed. 
In 2020, young drivers of motor vehicles (15-24 years old) were responsible for 1,664 
road crashes. 

•  Drivers  of  motor  vehicles  aged  65  and  over  were  at  fault  in  603  road  crashes  in 

Slovakia in 2020. 

Additional road safety critical factors are mentioned at the road safety programme. 

2.4 Road Safety Targets 

The following targets have been set at the National Road Safety Strategy 2030 of Slovakia: 

•  By 2030, a 50% reduction in fatalities compared to 2020 (112 fatalities or fewer by 

2030) 

•  By 2030, a 50% reduction in serious injuries compared to 2020 (457 serious injuries 

or fewer by 2030) 

2.5 Road Safety Measures 

A total of 70 federal road safety measures divided in five areas of action are included in the 
road safety strategy of Slovakia. For each of these five areas of action, spheres were further 
defined, grouping the proposed actions into individual clusters that have a common overlap in 
terms of their substantive focus at the level of a given area of action. These spheres are Law 
enforcement,  Awareness-raising,  Legislation,  Infrastructure,  Science  and  research,  and 
Technical inspection.2.  

Table 25.2: Areas of actions and number of actions  

Areas of Action 

1.  Human Factor 

2.  Risk groups of road users 

3.  Road Safety 

4.  Vehicles and Technologies 

5.  Post-crash care 

Total 

3. Road Safety Progress 

3.1 Road Safety Outcomes 

Actions 

18 

14 

24 

9 

5 

70 

In Slovakia, 267 people were killed and 894 people were seriously injured in road crashes in 
2023. Based on data  for 2024, Slovakia ranks  16th  out of 27 EU countries  in  terms  of the 
lowest  number  of  fatalities  per  million  inhabitants.  In  fact,  48  road  fatalities  per  million 

2 Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic. (2021). National road safety strategy of the 
Slovak Republic 2021–2030. https://www.mindop.sk/ministerstvo-1/doprava-3/bezpecnost-cestnej-
premavky/national-road-safety-strategy-of-the-slovak-republic-2021-2030  

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
inhabitants were recorded that year, which is slightly above the EU average (45).  

Figure 25.1 Mortality rates by country, 2024  

Sources: CARE database on road crashes; population data from Eurostat (online data code demo_pjan). 

Figure 25.2 Road fatalities and target 2030  
(Source: National sources) 3 

3 It is noted that the global COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the CARE data for 2020 and 2021 for many 
European countries. Traffic volumes dropped sharply during the pandemic due to traffic restrictions, which was 
associated with a significant drop in road traffic crashes and fatalities. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 25.3 Serious road injuries  
(Source: National sources)4 

Compared  to  20194,  a  decrease  of  5%  in  road  fatalities  was  achieved.  Τhe  number  of  road 
fatalities showed a downward trend during the period 2017-2020, when it started to increase 
again up to 2023. Thus, in 2024, Slovakia appears to need to take further action to meet the 
2030 fatality target.  

On the other hand, serious injuries decreased by 15% between 2019 and 2023. In spite of this 
progress, Slovakia is not yet on track to meet the target of 50% reduction in serious injuries.  

Compared to the EU average, the distribution of fatalities in Slovakia showed a high proportion 
of car occupants and pedestrians, as well as of people aged between 25-49 years old5. In fact, 
50% of killed people in road crashes were car occupants in 2023 and 28% of killed people were 
pedestrians.  

An overview of the evolution of road fatalities and serious injuries for the years 2019 and 2023 
(year with the latest available detailed crash data) is provided below for specific types of roads, 
crashes and road users. Overall, in Slovakia, serious injuries declined for all groups examined, 
besides those recorded on motorways.  

On the other hand, the number of total crash fatalities increased by 9% in 2023. Significant 
increase  was  recorded  in  fatalities  in  single  vehicle  crashes  (30%)  and  in  fatalities  on 
motorways (from 8 to 24), while the number of fatalities in multi-vehicle crashes decreased by 
12%. 

4 For all Member States, 2019 has been used as the baseline year for the monitoring of 2030 targets in this report, 
which is used at EU level. Slovakia has set 2020 as the baseline year. Considering the national baseline, in 2024, 
the observed number of fatalities was 30% higher than the target value and in 2023, the number of serious injuries 
was 15% higher. 
5  European  Commission  (2023),  Country  Profile  Slovakia.  Road  Safety  Observatory.  Brussels,  European 
Commission, Directorate General for Transport. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 25.3: Evolution of road fatalities, 2019-2023 

Fatalities 

2019 

2023 

%  
in 2023 
- 

% change 
2019-2023 
+9.0% 

Total road fatalities 

Inside urban areas 

Outside urban areas 

Motorways 

Single vehicle crashes 

Multi vehicle crashes 

Car occupants 

PTW riders 

Cyclists 

Pedestrians 

Serious Injuries 

Total serious injuries 

Inside urban areas 

Outside urban areas 

Motorways 

Single vehicle crashes 

Multi vehicle crashes 

Car occupants 

PTW riders 

Cyclists 

Pedestrians 

245 

82 

163 

8 

64 

129 

124 

23 

14 

75 

267 

96 

171 

24 

83 

113 

134 

28 

14 

75 

36% 

64% 

9% 

31% 

42% 

50% 

10% 

5% 

28% 

Table 25.4: Evolution of serious injuries, 2019-2023 

2019 

1,050 

558 

444 

28 

291 

488 

463 

150 

94 

263 

2023 

894 

454 

360 

80 

237 

436 

391 

122 

86 

222 

%  
in 2023 
- 

51% 

40% 

9% 

27% 

49% 

44% 

14% 

10% 

25% 

+17% 

+5% 

+200% 

+30% 

-12% 

+8% 

+22% 

0% 

0% 

% change 
2019-2023 
-15% 

-19% 

-19% 

+186% 

-19% 

-11% 

-16% 

-19% 

-9% 

-16% 

3.2 Road Safety Performance Indicators 

Data on safety performance indicators for Slovakia are not available. The average age of the 
passenger car fleet in Slovakia is higher than the EU average. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 25.5: Road Safety Performance Indicators, 2022 – 2025 (Source: ERSO, Country 
Profiles) 

Speeding6 
% of passenger cars travelling within speed limits a 

Motorways 
Rural Roads 
Urban Roads 

Seat belt & CRS use rates (%) a*,b 

Front 
Rear 
Child restraint systems (roadside observations) 
Child restraint systems (in-vehicle inspections) 

Helmet use rates (%) a 

PTW driver 
PTW passenger 
Cyclist 

DUI of Alcoholc 
(self-reported) 

Slovakia 

EU 

2022 

2025 

2022 

2025 

- 
- 
- 

95.0 
78.0 
- 
/ 

80.3 
65.5 
- 

67.0 
85.0 
47.0 

85.0 
59.6 
96.4 
/ 

100.0 
100.0 
48.0 

- 
- 
- 

93.1 
75.3 
67.0 
- 

97.0 
94.4 
37.8 

- 
- 
- 

92.4 
69.9 
83.3 
- 

97.6 
97.0 
34.5 

% of car drivers who have driven at least once in the 
last 30 days over the legal limit 

14.5 

- 

11.8 

11.8 

Driver Distraction a 

% of drivers not using hand-held mobile 
device/phone while driving 

Vehicle Safety 

% of new passenger cars rated with 4 EuroNCAP 
stars and above a 
Average age of passenger car fleet (years)d 

- 

- 

11.2 

91.4 

94.8 

94.5 

80.0 

15.1 

83.6 

12.3 

82.7 

12.5 

Sources: a Baseline and Trendline projects, b ETSC (2022), c ESRA3 project (2024), d ACEA (2024, 2025), Notes: 
*2025 data only for weekdays 

4. Monitoring Road Safety Strategy Implementation 

4.1 Implementation Progress 

Road Safety Management 

Slovakia  starts  from  a  low  level  in  two  of  the  road  safety  areas  related  to  Road  Safety 
Management and from a high level in the area of road safety legislation. 21 of the ongoing or 
planned measures of the strategy lie in this pillar.  

Based on the self-reported assessment, the implementation of measures related to the 

6 An EU average is not available for speeding, due to different legal speed limits among countries, which does not 
allow for a straightforward comparison.  

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
national road safety authority has not started, since in 2022, the Minister expressed his 
disapproval for the establishment of the Government Council of the Slovak Republic. 

The implementation of the measures related to the road safety budget has been delayed. There 
is the consideration of creating a road safety fund, formed from a relevant source of income of 
the state budget. This measure is currently at an initial stage and work is needed until it takes 
the  form  of  a  concrete  proposal  for  relevant  legislative  changes,  which  will  allow  stable 
financing of road safety activities and departments involved. 

The measures related to road safety legislation are on track. More specifically, in 2021, two 
EU directives concerning the technical condition of motor vehicles were adopted as part of the 
national legislation.  

Table 25.6: Self-reported assessment of implementation progress of measures related to road 
safety management 

B1 

Road Safety Management 

National road safety authority 

National road safety budget 

Road safety legislation 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Baseline 
Assessment (2021) 

low 

low 

high 

Progress 
(2021-2024) 

not started 

delayed 

on track 

National road safety observatory 

not applicable 

not applicable 

Safe Road User Behaviour 

In relation to the pillar of Safe Road User Behaviour, Slovakia starts from a high level in 2021 
in the road safety area of enforcement, while from a medium level starts in all the other road 
safety areas. In total, 39 measures fall under the pillar of safe road user behaviour. In 2024, all 
the relevant measures to this pillar are on track. 

Table 25.7: Self-reported assessment of implementation progress of measures related to road 
user behaviour 

B2 

Safe Road User Behaviour 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Enforcement 

Education 

New drivers training 

Communication campaigns 

Measures for vulnerable road users 

Measures for professional drivers 

Baseline 
Assessment (2021) 

Progress 
(2021-2024) 

high 

medium 

medium 

medium 

medium 

medium 

on track 

on track 

on track 

on track 

on track 

on track 

More specifically, measures related to the effective enforcement of most frequent causes of 
road crashes are included in this pillar. Focus is given on the enforcement of driving under the 
influence of alcohol and drugs, seat-belt and CRS use, as well as the compliance of freight and 
bus transport with national legislation. 

Traffic  or  road  safety  education  is  included  among  the  cross-cutting  themes  of  the  state 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
education program for primary level and is a mandatory part of the education and training of 
elementary  school  students.  Also,  the  operation  and  further  development  of  a  network  of 
children's transport playgrounds have been supported. 

Communication campaigns have focused on raising awareness of the risks related to speeding 
and not keeping a safe distance between vehicles, as well as to driving under the influence of 
alcohol and other addictive substances. 

The  measures  for  the  VRUs  include  the  improvement  of  the  safety  level  of  pedestrian 
crossings, construction of cycling infrastructure in urban and rural areas, effective enforcement 
of traffic rules focussing on cyclists, activities in order to raise awareness on visibility issues 
(e.g. dark clothing without reflective elements). 

Additionally, the measures for the professional drivers include effective enforcement of road 
freight  transport  and  bus  transport,  as  well  as  establishing  sufficient  penalties  for  non-
compliance. 

Safe Speeds 

Regarding the Safe Speeds pillar, Slovakia starts from a high level in monitoring of speeding 
and from a medium level in enforcing speeding. 2 measures of the strategy are relevant to this 
pillar. Based on the self-reported assessment, in 2024, both measures are on track. 

In  2023,  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior  carried  out  national,  regional  and  district-wide  special 
speeding inspections throughout the year. 

The monitoring of speeding leads to the reconciliation of the highest permitted speeds and the 
level  of the placed safety elements of road sections in  intra-urban and  extra-urban areas by 
Police Force and road administrators.  

Table 25.8: Self-reported assessment of implementation progress of measures related to safe 
speeds 

B3 

Safe Speeds 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Update of speed limits 

Enforcing speed limits 

Campaigns on speeding 

Monitoring speeding 

Safe Roads 

Baseline 
Assessment (2021) 

Progress 
(2021-2024) 

not applicable 

not applicable 

medium 

on track 

not applicable 

not applicable 

high 

on track 

Regarding the Safe Roads pillar, the baseline is assessed as medium in all road safety areas. 
In total, 15 measures of the road safety strategy of Slovakia are relevant to the pillar of safe 
roads, with all of them being on track in 2024. 

Table 25.9: Self-reported assessment of implementation progress of measures related to safe 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
roads 

B4 

Safe Roads 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

City mobility & safety plans 

Urban infrastructure for VRUs 

Rural roads safety interventions 

Motorways safety management 

Road design standards 

Road safety audit and inspection 

Baseline 
Assessment (2021) 

Progress 
(2021-2024) 

not applicable 

not applicable 

medium 

medium 

medium 

medium 

medium 

on track 

on track 

on track 

on track 

on track 

These measures include the improvement of the safety level of pedestrian crossings and the 
installation of traffic calming elements in urban areas.  

Concerning rural roads, the implementation of safety interventions aiming to ensure the safe 
passage of migratory animals or to intercept them in order to prevent them from colliding with 
vehicles.  

On the other hand, the implementation of safety measures to minimize risks in highway road 
tunnels is considered.  

Regarding the road design standards, the National Highway Company ensures the gradual 
renewal of existing as well as the addition of new safety devices on the operated sections of 
highways and expressways.  

Finally,  the  National  Highway  Company  processed  safety  audits  during  the  process  of 
preparation,  construction  and  operation  of  highways  and  expressways,  carried  out  quality 
checks/inspections  in  terms  of  road  safety  with  emphasis  on  the  quality  of  horizontal  and 
vertical traffic markings and the identification of high-risk locations. 

Safe Vehicles 

In relation to the pillar of Safe Vehicles, Slovakia starts from a low level in 2 out of three areas 
and from a high level in the area of vehicle technical inspections. 4 measures are relevant to 
the pillar of safe vehicles. In 2024, all planned measures are on track. 

Table 25.10: Self-reported assessment of implementation progress of measures related to safe 
vehicles 

B5 

Safe Vehicles 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Fleet renewal 

Promotion of ADAS 

Technical vehicle inspection 

Automation preparation 

Baseline 
Assessment (2021) 

low 

Progress 
(2021-2024) 

on track 

not applicable 

not applicable 

high 

low 

on track 

on track 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The performance of roadside technical inspections has been extended for categories of M1 and 
N1 vehicles. 

The supervision of the technical inspection stations by state experts was also planned, with 
the aim of evaluating the video footage from the approved surveillance recording system with 
emphasis on the fulfilment of the obligations of the technician as well as the person authorised 
by the regulation regarding the operation of vehicles in road traffic. 

The Ministry of investment, regional development and informatization of the Slovak Republic, 
in close cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, participated in the national strategy for 
intelligent and sustainable mobility of Slovakia - a vision for the direction of transport into 
the  future,  and  at  the  same  time  participated  in  the  preparation  of  the  Long-Term  Plan  and 
Action Plan, to address the challenges in road transport and intelligent mobility, which was 
approved by the government. 

Post Crash Care 

Regarding the Post-Crash Care pillar, Slovakia starts from a medium level in 2021 in reducing 
EMS reaction time and from a low level in supporting people injured. 3 measures lie in this 
pillar, which, in 2024, are on track. 

These measures include activities of the Slovak Red Cross, the Ministry of Transport and the 
Slovak Chamber of Driving School Training Facilities aimed at raising awareness regarding 
the  provision  of  first  aid  in  road  crashes,  as  well  as  activities  aimed  at  raising  awareness 
regarding  the  provision  of  assistance,  advice  and  follow-up  care  to  participants  in  road 
crashes and other affected persons. 

Table 25.11: Self-reported assessment of implementation progress of measures related to post 
crash care 

B6 

Post Crash Care 

1 

2 

Reduce EMS reaction time 

Support people injured 

Baseline 
Assessment (2021) 

medium 

low 

Progress 
(2021-2024) 

on track 

on track 

4.2 Best Practices 

A long list of best practices is available for Slovakia. 

Road Safety Management 

•  Road Safety Legislation: Transposition of the EU directives Commission Delegated 
Directive (EU) 2021/1716 of 29 June 2021 and Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 
2021/1717 of 9 July 2021 into national legislation. 

•  Education: In the field of traffic education, continuous training of teachers takes place. 
The National Institute of Education and Youth deals with the issue of teacher education 
in  the  field  of  traffic  education  and  safety  within  the  framework  of  innovative 
education. Part of the education is work with methodological material with the aim of 
using it in educational practice. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Communication campaigns: In 2023, the Road Safety Department appealed to road 
users  through  social  networks  and  also  involved  cooperation  with  web  portals.  In 
November, a comprehensive communication media campaign of the department was 
launched  through  educational  and  promotional  spots,  which  is  divided  into  themes 
according to quarters. The first quarterly topic was alcohol in road traffic. In 2024, the 
campaign  topics  were:  Keeping  a  safe  distance  of  1-1.5  m,  Modern  ways  of 
micromobility (e-scooters) and Aggressiveness in road traffic. 

Safe Speeds 

•  Monitoring speeding: The Slovak Road Administration, as part of the passive safety 
improvement project, dealt with the complete replacement of vertical traffic markings, 
the  implementation  of  horizontal  traffic  markings  using  acoustic  plastic,  the 
replacement of road restraint systems. 

Safe Roads 

•  Urban  infrastructure  for  VRUs:  Municipalities  and  cities  mainly  use  informative 
vehicle speedometers, speed reducers, change the width of roads, adjust roadsides, build 
dividing  strips,  protective  islands  for  pedestrians,  and  also  build  roundabouts.  Self-
governing  regions  as  road  managers  II  and  III  classes  in  the  reconstruction  and 
modernization of roads emphasize that all crossings for pedestrians are solved barrier-
free for the purpose of safe passage of elderly people as well as immobile citizens. At 
the same time, the installation of special paving for the blind and the modernization of 
light signalling at intersections with the use of sound warning elements, as well as the 
adaptation  of  the  visually  impaired  on  the  sidewalks  in  accordance  with  current 
regulations, are being implemented. 

•  Rural Roads Safety Interventions: During the spring migration of amphibians, the 
State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, within its territorial scope, ensured 
the  installation  of  foil  barriers  on  problematic  sections  of  roads  and  the  subsequent 
transfer of amphibians across the body of the road, and they also investigated accidental 
collisions of animals with roads. 

•  Motorways safety management: As part of the implementation of the measure, the 
National Highway Company carried out: restoration of the secondary protection of the 
concrete  lining  of  the  Bôrik  tunnel  -  right  tunnel  pipe;  repair  of  flexible  asphalt 
expansion of asphalt concrete and cement concrete cover in front of the Bôrik tunnel - 
east and west portal, right tunnel pipe; modernization of the closed TV circuit of the 
Branisko tunnel - 2nd and 3rd stage; the modernization of the network infrastructure 
and the modification of the operator workplaces for managing the Branisko and Šibenik 
tunnels. 

•  Road  design  standards:  Safety  devices  were  added  to  highways  -  guardrails, 
implementation  of  shock  absorbers,  restoration  of  traffic  equipment  direction  posts, 
guardrail  direction  posts,  guardrail  reflectors  and  direction  reflectors  in  order  to 
improve visibility and unify direction guidance on expressways. 

Safe Vehicles 

•  Fleet renewal:  During  the whole year of 2023,  police officers within the individual 
regional  directorates  of  the  Police  Force  assigned  to  the  performance  of  duty  in  the 
supervision  of the safety  and smoothness of road traffic carry out  inspections of the 
technical  condition  of  inspected  vehicles  of  categories  M1  and  N1.  The  visual 
inspection of the technical condition of the motor vehicle is carried out by members of 
the Police Force at every inspection in the supervision of road traffic. 

•  Vehicle  Technical  Inspection:  State  expert  supervision  focused  on  conducting 

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anonymous  inspections  through  the  use  of  a  vehicle  with  faults  accompanied  by  a 
person (inspector of the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic in the role of a 
fictitious  customer),  the  so-called  "mystery  shopping".  It  was  checked  whether  the 
technical  inspection  technician  found  all  prepared  faults  on  the  vehicle,  which  also 
verified  the  correctness  of  the  procedure  and  the  quality  of  the  technical  inspection 
performance. 

•  Automation preparation:  At the  Institute of Expert Research and Education of the 
University  of  Zilina,  the  solution  of  the  project  Tests  of  vehicles  equipped  with 
autonomous  assistance  systems,  which  is  financed  by  a  national  research  grant,  is 
underway.  The  goal  of  the  project  is  the  implementation  of  driving  tests  with 
autonomous  and  partially  autonomous  road  vehicles  for  the  needs  of  obtaining  data 
essential for the forensic analysis of traffic crashes. 

Post-crash care 

•  Reduce EMS reaction time: The Slovak Red Cross has an accredited first aid course 
of 8, 16, 33, 101 hours and e-learning basic first aid course. First aid courses not only 
for the lay public are provided by 58 teaching  places, 198 first  aid  instructors. SRC 
organizes  awareness-raising  activities  in  cooperation  with  partners  in  kindergartens, 
primary and secondary schools. In cooperation with the Presidium of the Police Force 
of  the  Slovak  Republic  and  the  district  traffic  inspectorate  and  the  regional  traffic 
inspectorate, it participates on preventive checks of the traffic police in road traffic, the 
purpose of which is a priority survey of knowledge in providing first aid to drivers. 
•  Support people injured: The project "Life is green" aimed at prevention and higher 
safety of young drivers in road traffic. The educational events at secondary schools also 
include  lectures  related  to  the  provision  of  first  aid  and  the  basics  of  psychosocial 
intervention.  The  Slovak  Chamber  of  Psychologists  has  developed  informational 
materials on the forms of assistance provided by individual experts in psychology. 

4.3 Gaps 

The  restrictions  following  the  COVID-19  pandemic  were  referred  as  a  main  gap  in  the 
implementation of specific road safety measures.  

Also, the following issues are reported by the national authorities as the main challenges in 
implementing the road safety strategy so far: 

•  a relatively fragmented road safety management model, 
•  prioritisation of other state policies,  
• 

the  need  for  increased  funding  for  preventive  activities  to  implement  effective 
measures, 
the need for a massive nationwide media campaign on current topics of road safety. 

• 

5. Conclusions and Recommendations 

In the Road Safety Strategy 2030 of Slovakia, the targets of halving the numbers of road 
fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 compared to 2020 have been set. In total, 70 actions 
have been defined in the strategy, organised into five fields of action. 

In 2024, Slovakia ranked 16th out of 27 EU countries in terms of the lowest numbers of fatalities 

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per  population,  with  48  fatalities  per  million  inhabitants,  which  is  slightly  above  the  EU 
average (45). Compared to the EU average, the distribution of fatalities in Slovakia showed a 
high  proportion  of car occupants  and pedestrians, as well as of people aged between 25-49 
years old. 

Between 2019 and 2024, the number of fatalities decreased by 5%, while a decrease of 15% 
in serious injuries was recorded over the period 2019-2023. When considering more detailed 
data, between 2019 and 2023, a significant increase was recorded in fatalities in single vehicle 
crashes  and  in  fatalities  on  motorways.  Serious  injuries  declined  for  all  groups  examined, 
besides those recorded in multi-vehicle crashes. 

Regarding the progress of the implementation of the road safety actions foreseen in the national 
road safety strategy for the period 2021-2024, based on the self-reported assessment, progress 
has  been  made  in  most  road  safety  areas,  while  some  delays  -  mainly  due  to  COVID-19 
pandemic - are reported. The majority of the planned measures are on track. Also, Slovakia has 
numerous examples of best practices to show. 

Finally,  despite  that  the  implementation  of  the  foreseen  road  safety  actions  appears  to  be 
broadly on track, Slovakia needs to take additional action if it is to meet the 50% fatality 
target. Based on the self-reported assessment, the lack of progress is mainly attributed to the 
high rate of risky driver behaviour (in particular speeding and disregarding traffic regulations), 
which has been observed after Covid-19 pandemic, the underestimation of road safety risks by 
the  general  public,  the  inadequate  systematic  cooperation  between  national  and  regional 
authorities in implementing road safety measures, and the increase in the number of registered 
motor vehicles in Slovakia over this period. The possible way forward to address this could be 
by:  
• 

re-defining  the  road  safety  management  model,  ensuring  also  better  coordination 
between national and regional authorities, 

•  exploring any other relevant actions, that could better address the road safety challenges 

set out above 

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