The 19th DEKRA Road Safety Report, published in 2026 under the title Working in Road Traffic, focuses on one of the most underestimated dimensions of road safety: the road as a workplace. The report concludes that professional drivers, road workers, emergency responders, and transport operators face growing risks from fatigue, time pressure, unsafe parking, inadequate infrastructure, and increasing traffic volumes, requiring a holistic approach that combines infrastructure, technology, legislation, and driver wellbeing.
Roads remain one of Europe’s most dangerous workplaces
Every day, millions of professional drivers keep Europe’s economy moving, yet many work in conditions where fatigue, unpredictable traffic, insufficient rest opportunities, and demanding schedules significantly increase accident risk.
According to DEKRA, fatigue remains one of the most critical risk factors because it directly impairs reaction time and attention. The report highlights that road crashes remain among the leading causes of fatal workplace accidents in many countries, affecting not only transport workers but also construction crews, emergency services, and other road users. (....)