Author: Ioannis Papadogiorgakis
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Traffic law Enforcement Thematic Report which defines Traffic Law Enforcement (TLE) as the entire penal procedure designed to persuade road users to abide by traffic laws and regulations through threat of detection of violation and the imposition of a penalty or other sanction. In a safe road system, both general and targeted TLE are required to limit the occurrence of the safety-critical violations. Within the safe system approach TLE is best combined with other measures to reduce violations. Furthermore, the main types of TLE can be distinguished along three main dimensions: automatic versus manned controls, stationary versus mobile controls, and visible/conspicuous versus less visible/hidden controls. Although enforcement can improve road safety, it remains a challenge to maintain and optimize the effects of TLE. 
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV, VIAS Institute and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Seniors Thematic Report which considers seniors as those aged 65 years and over. Seniors are most at risk in traffic as pedestrians or cyclists. Seniors form a high proportion of casualties as well as being at significantly greater risk per kilometer travelled, while as drivers, seniors are a greater risk to themselves than to other road users. Furthermore, the highest risk is observed for road users over 75 years of age. This Report highlights the three high crash risk factors as vulnerability, reduced driving and fitness to drive. Moreover, some countermeasures include Passive safety measures, as well as senior training with refresher courses.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Post-crash data Thematic Report which are essential for mapping the care continuum and identifying delays or failures in the chain of survival. This Reports emphasizes that for every fatality, around five people suffer serious injuries with lasting consequences, and the annual economic cost across EU 27 remains high. By capturing data at link – call receipt, dispatch, travel time, on-scene interventions, transport intervals, clinical treatment and rehab – authorities can pinpoint bottlenecks, improve protocols and ensure that all phone-users, including those with disabilities or while roaming, receive timely help. Furthermore, automatic crash notification systems, enhanced mobile-phone location services, and integrated crash-detection functions are some of the countermeasures suggested in order to create a seamless continuum from detection to definitive care.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV, VIAS Institute and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Personal Mobility Devices Thematic Report which focuses mainly on electric scooters. The vast majority of crashes involving an e-scooter do not involve another road user. However, the most severe casualties (over 80% of e-scooter rider deaths and 50% of trauma patients’ injuries) result from crashes that do involve a heavier motor vehicle. Furthermore, for e-scooters, poor road surface conditions, e-scooter speed, riders under the influence of alcohol or drugs, inexperienced users and lack of helmet use combined with the limited stability and high acceleration of an e-scooter contribute to the cause and severity of injuries.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Pedestrians Thematic Report which highlights that pedestrians comprise just under 20% of all road deaths in the EU, a proportion that has declined slightly over the last decade. The number of pedestrians killed declined by around 30% between 2012 and 2022, while most pedestrian crashes occur in urban areas: pedestrians account for 38% of all road deaths in such areas. Most crashes involving pedestrians occur while crossing the road and frequently at pedestrian crossings which are usually the location at which roads are most often crossed. Moreover, long-term planning countermeasures are needed to produce the fundamental changes that would improve the safety and mobility of vulnerable road users.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Young Novice Drivers Thematic Report which refers to 16-24 year old car drivers. Young European drivers are over-represented as victims of fatal car crashes. In the EU, over the period 2018-2022, on average 1,058 young car drivers (18-24 years of age) died each year in a crash. Lack of experience causes a high crash risk due to underdeveloped higher order driving skills like include hazard perception, risk awareness, and calibration. Young drivers can also be more easily distracted, cannot always resist peer pressure, are more often fatigued and drive at night more often than older drivers. Drink driving occurs almost as often with young drivers as with older ones, but it has a more detrimental effect on their driving capabilities. Furthermore, they drive more often than older drivers under the influence of illegal psychoactive substances such as cannabis.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV, VIAS Institute and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Driver Distraction Thematic Report which highlights driver distraction as a significant risk factor in traffic. The self-declared prevalence of mobile phone use while driving a car in 22 European countries is 51% for the use of hands-free devices, 22% for handheld mobile phone conversations, and 23% for text reading/checking social media. While the latter two activities are illegal, hands-free phoning is generally not. Recent observations of drivers in 20 European countries found that the percentage of drivers using a handheld mobile device varied among countries and ranged from 2.1% to 15.5%. Furthermore Road-user focused countermeasures include the enforcement of the legal bans on the use of handheld phones (and electronic devices), e.g., with smart cameras, and raising awareness of the risks of distraction in public campaigns and through driver education during licensing.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Cyclists Thematic Report which refers to the safety of cyclists. Cyclists are vulnerable in traffic and constitute the only road user group in the EU where the number of fatalities has not significantly declined in the past decade. In 2023, around 1,950 cyclists died in traffic in the EU with many more seriously injured. Furthermore, fatal cyclist crashes mostly involve motor vehicles accounting for around 70% of the total. Moreover, bicycle crashes are significantly underreported, in particular crashes without the involvement of motorised vehicles. A series of specific countermeasures are suggested, such as separation of cyclists and other road users, low motor speed and wider cycle tracks with no obstacles.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Consequences of Crashes Thematic Report which distinguishes three types of consequences for crashes: physical, psychological, and socio-economic. At EU level, 2.2 million hospital-treated road traffic casualties compare to 1.1 million police-reported ones, indicating a substantial underreporting in police-based crash statistics and an underestimation of the impacts of crashes. Furthermore, studies indicate that about one third of road traffic casualties has self-reported symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), every fifth casualty reports symptoms of depression. Moreover, EU wide, crashes are estimated to generate a total cost of injury of about 353 billion Euro, which burdens both the health system and its financiers.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Alcohol and Drugs Thematic Report which emphasizes that impairment due to alcohol and/or drugs is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes worldwide. It has been estimated that 1.5 to 2% of kilometres travelled in the EU are driven with an illegal blood alcohol concentration. Furthermore, around 25% of all road deaths in the EU are alcohol-related. Moreover, Recent roadside surveys among randomly stopped drivers in EU-countries show alcohol prevalence rates between 0.3- 2.7% and drug prevalence rates between 6.0 – 11%.
The Institute of Transport Economics (TOI) organized with great success the 13th International Cycling Safety Conference (ICSC2025) which was held in Oslo, Norway, on 4-6 November 2025. The annual ICSC conference has effectively promoted key scientific findings in cycling safety and offered a first-class forum for sharing scientific results and learning from one another. This year’s theme was “Knowledge for Prevention”. NTUA actively contributed with the following papers:
NTUA actively contributed with the following papers:
Together for Safer Roads Global Coalition recently published a Report titled Optimizing Fleets with Telematics presenting key insights on how vehicle telematics can transform fleet safety and reduce crash risks through data-driven interventions. This Report analyzes over 60 million driving trips globally, identifying correlations between telematics-based driver monitoring and significant reductions in risky behaviors such as harsh braking and speeding. Furthermore it emphasizes the value of AI-powered analytics and proactive driver coaching in improving fleet safety performance.
According to data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), road fatalities in Greece have followed a long-term downward trend, decreasing significantly from 2,182 deaths in 1998 to 517 in 2025. In 2025, road traffic fatalities reached their lowest level since 1963, marking a 22.1% decrease compared to 2024, which is the largest annual reduction recorded since official data collection began. 
The European Union has recently adopted the new Directive to modernize EU driving licence rules. The newly adopted rules tackle several road safety issues, including the introduction of digital EU driving licences, driving disqualification, stricter rules for novice drivers and more systematic checks of the fitness to drive. The new Directive also introduces an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for 17-year-old drivers, a measure that has been proven to significantly improve road safety. Particular emphasis is given on vulnerable road users’ safety, such as pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and other micromobility users.
The Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move) of the European Commission recently adopted its first Progress Report on the European declaration on cycling, showing strong momentum across the EU to boost cycling infrastructure and policies. The Report confirms cycling’s role as a clean, affordable and health-boosting way to travel. It also highlights the need to improve aspects such as safety, safe parking, cycle logistics, charging in buildings, carriage of bikes on trains, climate-proofing infrastructure and engagement with industry. Cities are stepping up cycling measures to meet the targets of the climate-neutral and smart cities mission.
The Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move) of the European Commission released the Statistical Pocketbook 2025 “EU Transport in figures”. In this Statistical Pocketbook, key road safety Tables are contained, together with several other Tables on transport statistics, providing a complete picture of current trends in transport in Europe. Data on road fatalities for the EU Member States and associate countries allow for time series comparisons and country rankings.
In a recently published study conducted at Stanford University (USA), using a range of parameters for each scientist’s research contribution and influence, million Scientists data from Scopus database were analyzed. According to this study 1,074 Greek scientists are contained in the global top 2%, among which 162 Scientists from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). 28 Scientists from the School of Civil Engineering of NTUA are among the top 2% researchers in the world (4 within the top-ten of NTUA) and 8 among the Department of Transportation Planning and Engineering (3 within the top-ten of the School of Civil Engineering) 2024: (Eleni Vlahogianni, George Yannis, Konstantinos Gkiotsalitis, Eleonora Papadimitriou, Christina Plati, Apostolos Ziakopoulos) All years: (Matthew Karlaftis†, John Golias).
A Special Issue titled “Emerging Solutions and Technologies for Smart Mobility and Vehicle Safety in Transportation” has been recently launched on Vehicles Journal, with Guest Editors from NTUA: Dr. Eva Michelaraki and Prof. George Yannis. This Special Issue aims to present cutting-edge research on novel solutions and technological advancements in smart mobility, transportation safety, and intelligent vehicle systems. Contributions that explore data-driven approaches to traffic management, machine learning applications for driver behaviour analysis, crash prediction and prevention strategies, automation in transportation systems, and the role of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) in improving road safety are welcome. Deadline for manuscript submission is until 15 December 2025. Researchers can submit their contributions here.
Electronics: Special Issue on “Automated Driving Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects”, April 2026
Electronics Journal recently launched a Special Issue titled “Automated Driving Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects” aiming to bring together cutting-edge research on the latest developments, emerging trends, and future prospects in automated driving. The manuscript submission deadline is 15 October 2026.
This Special Issue encourages researchers from academia and industry to explore novel methodologies and contribute their latest findings, addressing the challenges and opportunities in the deployment of fully automated driving systems.
Guest editors of this special issue from NTUA are: Dr. Eva Michelaraki and Prof. Dr. George Yannis.
The Road Safety Institute “Panos Mylonas” (RSI) in cooperation with ETSC and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport organized with great success the “Safe & Sober Talk”, which took place in Athens, on 3 November 2025. International experts shared their national legislation on alcohol interlocks, an effective tool that reduces the number of alcohol-related deaths. This Event also addressed the issue of drunk driving in Greece and discuss the possible development of alcohol interlock programs at the national level. Representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Hellenic Police, the RSI and O.SY.A.E. Road Transport S.A. commented on the issue.
The Sustainable Mobility and Road Safety Committee of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) organized with great success a Meeting on Sustainable Mobility and 30 km/h speed limit in cities, which was held online on 23 October 2025. This Event focused on relevant policy recommendations, supporting Cyprus cities to adopt 30 km/h speed limits. NTUA actively contributed with the following presentation:
Stella Roussou, NTUA PhD Candidate & Researcher, received the Young Researcher Best Paper on Road Safety Award 2025 during the International Congress on Transport Research 2025. The Award is granted jointly by the Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT/CERTH) and the Hellenic Institute of Transportation Engineers (HITE). The award concerned the paper titled: “Predicting Pedestrian Violations in Urban Intersections Using ANOVA and Poisson Regression ”, co-authored by Roberto Ventura, Apostolos Ziakopoulos and George Yannis.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Young People Facts and Figures Report which examines the number of fatalities among persons aged 15 to 24 years old. In 2023, the absolute number of fatalities among young people aged 15-17 decreased by 17% between 2013 and 2023 to 474, while the respective number of fatalities among young people aged 18-24 decreased by 32% during the same period. Furthermore, remarkable is that the mortality rate for the age group 15-17 was the second lowest among all age groups in 2023.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Single Vehicle Crashes Facts and Figures Report which looks at single vehicle fatalities, which means fatalities in crashes including only one moving vehicle. According to this Report, in the EU in 2023, 6,621 people were killed in a single vehicle crash and the number has increased by 1% in the last decade and amounts to 36% of all road fatalities. Moreover the share of single vehicle fatalities within all road fatalities is highest in Southern and Western Europe. Furthermore, there are proportionally more single vehicle fatalities during weekends both during daytime (27%) and nights (15%) compared to other road user fatalities (21% during daytime and 8% at night).
According to the latest statistics released by the European Commission, in 2024 19,940 people lost their lives in road crashes across the EU, representing a 2% decrease compared to 2023. The overall ranking of countries’ fatality rates has not changed significantly, with the safest roads in Sweden and Denmark while Romania and Bulgaria reported the highest fatality rates in 2024. Provisional data for the first six months of 2025 shows mixed trends across Member States. While some countries like Greece, Czechia, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia are giving positive signals with declining fatalities, others face renewed challenges. These early indicators underscore that road safety requires constant vigilance and sustained effort.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Protective Equipment Safety Performance Indicator (SPI) Report which focuses on the prevalence and the road safety effects of road users’ use or non-use of bicycle helmets, motorcycle helmets, seat belts and Child Restraint Systems (CRS). This Report showed that in 2023, 27% of all car occupant fatalities were not wearing a seat belt, while the share of car occupant fatalities without a seat belt varied between 14% and 55% among EU countries. Furthermore, 82% of killed powered two-wheelers in 2023 were wearing a helmet on urban roads, compared to 92% on rural roads and 96% on motorways. Moreover, 63% of powered two-wheelers fatalities wearing no helmet were between 25 and 64 years old.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Powered Two-Wheelers Facts and Figures Report which looks at fatalities at motorcycle and moped riders’ fatalities on EU roads. According to this Report, respectively, 2% and 17% of all road fatalities in the EU in 2023 were moped riders and motorcyclists. Taken together therefore, almost one in five road fatalities were powered two wheeler riders. Moreover, in fatal moped and motorcycle crashes, often no other road user was involved as 31% and 36% of moped riders and motorcyclists in 2023 respectively died in a single vehicle crash (i.e. a crash with no crash opponent).
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory the Pedestrians Facts and Figures Report, which looks at pedestrian fatalities on European roads. According to this Report, in 2023 almost one in five of all road fatalities across the EU were pedestrians. The absolute number of pedestrian fatalities fell from 5,285 to 3,690 between 2013 and 2023 (-30%), which is a greater decrease compared to the decrease for the total number of road fatalities (-16%). Furthermore, around 1 in 2 pedestrian fatalities (51%) in 2023 were seniors aged 65 or older.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the New Forms of Mobility Facts and Figures Report which looks at fatalities of users of motorized micro-mobility devices and pedelecs on European roads. According to this Report, in 2023, 112 motorised micro-mobility device fatalities and 312 pedelec (regular pedelecs as opposed to speed pedelecs) fatalities were recorded in the 17 European countries reporting data on these transport modes. Furthermore, the share of fatalities on motorized micro-mobility devices on urban roads, in crashes where several transport modes are involved, amounts to 70% in 2023, while fatalities on pedelecs are lower with a share of 49% on urban roads. Moreover, 86% of reported fatalities on motorised micro-mobility devices were male, whereas for pedelec fatalities this share is slightly lower amounting to 77%, in 2023.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Cyclists Facts and Figures Report which refers to cyclist fatalities on EU roads. According to this Report, in contrast to the number of fatalities in crashes with other modes of transport, the number of cyclists killed on EU roads has remained at more or less the same level for the past decade: since 2013 an increase of 1% and since 2019 a decrease of -4%. In 2023, half of all cyclist fatalities (50%) were cyclists aged 65 years or older on average and more than half of cyclist fatalities occurred in crashes on urban roads (56%), 43% on rural roads and 1% on motorways. In 2023, 33% of cyclist fatalities occurred at junctions which is twice as high as for other road fatalities (17%).
