Drivers in Czechia feel among the least safe in whole of Europe

Drivers in the Czech Republic feel much less safe on roads and highways than people in other European countries, according to a recent survey by the Transport Research Center (CDV). In contrast, Czech pedestrians consider sidewalks safer than the European average, revealing a clear difference in safety perceptions.

The survey found that only 59 percent of Czech drivers view highways as safe, compared to the European average of 66 percent. Roads outside municipalities scored even lower, with less than one in four Czech drivers feeling safe—well below the European average of 61 percent. Local roads fared the worst: just one-third of Czech drivers considered them safe, compared to over half in Europe overall.

Regional differences highlight the issue further. In the Zlín region, about half of drivers rated roads outside villages as safe, but in Karlovy Vary, just 22 percent shared this view.

Cyclists and pedestrians shared mixed opinions on safety, though generally felt more secure than drivers. Among cyclists, two-thirds felt safe on city roads with dedicated cycle lanes, but on the other hand just over two in 10 felt safe outside municipalities without such infrastructure. Pedestrians reported the highest safety levels, with three-quarters feeling safe on roads with sidewalks—exceeding the European average of 72 percent.

Experts stressed the need for targeted road safety improvements. CDV expert Kateřina Bucsuházy highlighted education and prevention as key, especially for vulnerable groups. “The lack of helmets among cyclists and the rise in e-bike accidents lead to severe injuries,” she noted. She also emphasized the importance of reflective gear for pedestrians and stricter enforcement of safety laws to reduce risks.

“It is necessary to mention the increasing number of e-bikes, which, unfortunately, has an increasing impact not only on the number of accidents, but also on their consequences - often the most serious ones,” says CDV executive researcher Lukáš Kadula. “For pedestrians, the use of retroreflective elements—even if seemingly banal—can sometimes prevent serious accidents,” he added. 

The CDV also mentioned “traffic calming” as being a priority in cities and towns. Just two months ago, city-mapping company Cyclomedia ranked Prague a lowly 27th out of 32 European capitals in terms of traffic safety perception. Two-fifths of residents in the Czech capital said they felt “a sense of danger” when navigating road and public-transport traffic.