Pedestrian recklessness remains top cause of deadly crashes in Bucharest, police say

The Capital’s Road Police Brigade reported that 2025 recorded a lower number of severe traffic accidents compared with the previous five-year mean, but still resulted in 38 fatalities, 309 serious injuries and 59 minor injuries. Chief commissioner Claudiu Costea attributed the persistence of deadly crashes primarily to pedestrian indiscipline, such as jaywalking and walking on the carriageway. He highlighted an alarming increase in serious accidents involving electric scooters during the first six months, up from the prior year.

To curb congestion and unsafe behavior, the police recommend careful route planning, greater reliance on public transport, and discouraging short car trips that cause drivers to stop illegally on the road. Costea stressed that stopping even briefly to buy a snack contributes to the traffic choke-points and risks. The police continue to monitor and address illegal parking and stopping as part of broader road-safety efforts.