Sweden Sees Decline in Road Traffic Fatalities to Second Lowest Level Since 2020

Preliminary data from Transportstyrelsen reveal that 208 people died in Swedish road traffic accidents in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of decline and the lowest number recorded since 2020. This improvement is especially evident among unprotected road users, including cyclists and motorcyclists. Of the total fatalities, 123 were protected road users, an increase compared to the previous year. Jonas Bjelfvenstam, Director General of Transportstyrelsen, noted that despite higher traffic volumes than during the COVID-19 pandemic, fatality levels now resemble those pandemic levels when travel was significantly reduced.

Transportstyrelsen aims to halve traffic deaths by 2030, targeting fewer than 133 deaths annually. While the downward trend is promising, Bjelfvenstam stressed that current figures are insufficient to meet the agency's zero vision goal for road safety. He called for strengthened collaboration between authorities, organizations, businesses, and individual responsibility to improve traffic behaviors and further reduce fatalities.

This historic low in fatalities signals progress but underscores the ongoing challenge in achieving safer roads in Sweden.