Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania have the highest road fatality rates in Europe, according to a study ranking countries by traffic safety as millions of people prepare for summer travel.

Driving across Europe remains a popular option for tourists seeking flexibility and the chance to explore multiple destinations. However, road safety conditions differ significantly between countries, with some parts of Europe recording much higher numbers of traffic deaths than others.

The study, conducted by Vignette Switzerland, an online provider of Swiss electronic vignettes, found that Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania are the three countries with the deadliest roads in Europe.

Serbia ranks first in the negative ranking for the second consecutive year, with 74 road deaths per million inhabitants. This is 72% above the European Union average, although the latest figures show a slight improvement compared with the previous year.

Bulgaria follows in second place with 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants, while Romania ranks third with 68 deaths per million people.