A Cars Iceland analysis, using Eurostat and European Transport Safety Council data, reports 58 road deaths per million inhabitants.
While this figure is concerning, the study notes ongoing improvements and adaptability to the challenges of national roads, particularly in areas with high tourist traffic.
Alberto P. Carmona, an industry expert at Cars Iceland, acknowledges that Portugal’s popularity as a holiday destination creates challenges.
He advises travellers to prepare in advance and become familiar with local rules, including speed limits and alcohol regulations, to enhance safety.
Experts highlight ongoing risky behaviours and unpredictable road conditions in Southern and Eastern Europe, where diverse vehicles and aggressive overtaking remain common, in contrast to the stricter standards in Scandinavia.
Norway leads in safety with 16 deaths per million, while Portugal faces the challenge of reducing its total fatalities, which reached 618 in 2024.
Analysts recommend aligning national driving standards with those of Northern Europe, addressing relaxed attitudes during holidays, and improving signage to help unfamiliar drivers navigate safely after dark.
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I live across the river from Lisbon. The driving skill I see here is very low. You would see many "L" cars creeping about doing half the speed limit, freezing at roundabouts etc. The other huge issue is texting/phone use - easily spotted by the varying speed and weaving. Very large farm equipment and very poor secondary roads complete the mess.
By Mark from Lisbon on 09 Apr 2026, 18:24
The problem isn't the road infrastructure, but drivers' behaviour. Failure to use indicators, pulling out when the road's not clear and regularly crossing over the line in the middle of the road, effectively occupying space reserved for oncoming traffic. All these behaviours increase the risk of an accident.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 10 Apr 2026, 09:42
It's not hard to see why. The N125, the main E-W artery of the Algarve, is shared by cars doing 30, cars doing 130, horse-driven carts, mopeds, kids on scooters, pedestrians walking on the roadway, bicyclists, people in motorized wheelchairs, motorcycles going 2x the speed limit and weaving in and out of traffic, and stray dogs, none of whom pay any attention to the others. There is no means of segregating traffic, and the GNR does nothing to enforce whatever minor laws do exist. It's a minor miracle that MORE people aren't killed.
By Woody from Algarve on 10 Apr 2026, 10:13
The National passtime of "Tailgaiting" doesn't help either.
Go into the left lane to pass someone, the car in back of you gets right up on your ass and doesn't even give you a chance to pass the slower car and return to the right lane.
By j from Algarve on 10 Apr 2026, 10:14
Sorry but better to be true here about the real problems. It is clearly not the holidaymakers that drives like crazy. It is unfortunately the Portuguese themselves. Most think they are on a F1 racetrack and speed like crazy, tailgating is a very strange behaviour as it’s really dangerous, no blinkers whatsoever, mobile usage even if they drive 160 on motorway or passing kids schools, don’t stop when it is a stop sign, taking far too many chances and overtake in the middle of a curve , overtaking in the middle of towns on high streets ….and so on and so on. The list is just chockingly long about the bad driving behaviours.
So instead of blaming others step it up here because it is a horrible problem all over the country from the locals itself.
By Marty from Algarve on 10 Apr 2026, 10:27
Where is the rest of the data? what sort of lame clickbait article is this?
By Alec from Porto on 10 Apr 2026, 13:47
Who are the first 5?
By Julie Watt from UK on 10 Apr 2026, 19:10
I cannot believe how dangerous it is to drive on Portuguese roads and highways. The speeding is out of control. Tailgating seems to be a national pastime. Passing when it is dangerous is also something that happens often. And not knowing how to merge into ongoing traffic on the highways has always puzzled me. Something has to give in order to make the roads and highways safer. Maybe more police officers should be hired to give out tickets to those who drive recklessly.
By Jeannette Kortz from Lisbon on 23 Apr 2026, 12:05