It's no secret that the work of long-haul drivers is stressful - driving on unfamiliar roads all over Europe is not that easy. Driving conditions are often worsened by bad weather, especially during winter, thus it becomes even more important to comply with safety requirements and drive carefully. Transport company SNAP recently conducted a study analyzing European road safety. According to this data, the safest roads are in Denmark, Austria, and Sweden but despite this information there is still room for improvement for all European countries.

The study measured the number of fatal accidents per 10,000 km of the total road network in each European country. According to this data, the most dangerous roads are in Bulgaria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The number of fatal truck accidents in these countries is extremely high - in Bulgaria it is higher than in Poland and the Czech Republic combined. Romania ranks 4th in this list - there are 1.62 accidents per 10,000 km.

Interestingly, most collisions occur during the day between 3PM and 5PM. 40% of all fatal truck accidents occur in rural areas. Such statistics show that Europe still lacks adequate infrastructure and safe roads, not only in cities, but also in smaller towns. Long-haul drivers who mainly drive in central and eastern Europe tend to encounter unfamiliar roads more often. Before starting the trip, drivers are recommended to familiarize themselves with the planned route and the road rules in force in the country. Even if you are driving on a regular route, make sure that the rules of the road have not changed, and the driving conditions are not dangerous.

Drivers are recommended to use smart apps that can make driving easier, warn them of obstacles on the road, and help find the most convenient route. SNAP, the company that conducted this research, has also created the IntruckApp application, which helps drivers find the fastest and safest rest areas quickly.

In light of all this, experts and local drivers have safety tips for dangerous roads. When driving in Bulgaria, it is not uncommon to encounter poor quality roads with many potholes - road lanes are often not marked here, and in rural areas it is not uncommon to see animals trying to cross the road. If possible, avoid small roads and choose highways. Stick to the speed limit and keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you to avoid accidents. It's no secret that some local drivers tend to disobey road rules and drive more aggressively by making sudden maneuvers. Poland also faces a similar situation as aggressive drivers often do not receive fines for their behavior on the road and thus tend to misbehave more often. That is why it is also extremely important not to exceed the speed limit and keep a safe distance, which is also relevant when driving in the Czech Republic. In these countries, the speed limits for trucks are as follows:

• In Bulgaria:
  • In towns and rural areas - 30-50 km/h.
  • Outside of towns – 80 km/h.
  • On highways - 100 km/h.
• In Poland:
  • In towns and rural areas - 50 km/h.
  • Outside of towns - 70 km/h.
  • On highways - 80 km/h.
• In the Czech Republic:
  • In towns and rural areas - 50 km/h.
  • Outside of towns– 80 km/h.
  • On highways - 80 km/h.

Experts recommend that you always plan your travel route in advance and take weather conditions into account. For example, during winter, the roads in these countries are often icy or covered with snow, so driving is more dangerous. You can find more tips on how to properly prepare for long trips here: https://bazace.ro/en/useful-information-drivers/7-tips-help-you-prepare-long-drive. 

Keywords: work for drivers, work for long-haul drivers, road safety