Serbia: 70 Pedestrians Killed in 8 Months, Tighter Checks
The Interior Ministry reports that 70 pedestrians died on Serbia's roads in the first eight months of this year, as a nationwide crackdown on traffic safety runs through September 22.
Serbia marks European Day Without Road Deaths today, September 17. The campaign runs under ROADPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, under the name “Days of Safety.” It lasts from September 16 to 22, and this year it is dedicated to protecting pedestrians.
The push for tighter checks is backed by fresh data from the Ministry of Interior. According to statistics from the Traffic Police Directorate, 70 pedestrians were killed on Serbia’s roads in the first eight months of 2026, and around 1,500 were injured.
The Road Traffic Safety Agency says every fourth person killed in traffic in Serbia is a pedestrian. Its analysis also shows that one in three pedestrians crosses the road outside a marked crossing, while one in five crosses against a red light.
Police Colonel Dejan Stevic discussed the figures with Euronews Serbia. He confirmed that 70 pedestrians died in the first eight months of the year and pointed to the need for extra caution from both drivers and pedestrians, particularly around pedestrian crossings. He said the campaign runs through September 22 and that checks during this period will focus specifically on crossings.
According to Telegraf, 89 traffic accidents occurred in Serbia on the previous day alone. Three people were killed and 56 were injured.
What the Interior Ministry Is Asking of Drivers and Pedestrians
The Traffic Police Directorate is urging drivers to slow down, especially in built up areas, near pedestrian crossings and around schools. It is also calling for consistent seatbelt use and for driving free of alcohol and psychoactive substances.
Pedestrians are being asked to cross only at marked crossings, to make sure it is safe before stepping onto the road, and to wear brighter clothing or reflective markings at night or in low visibility.
Marking the Day Without Road Deaths, the Interior Ministry issued a special appeal.
“One day without fatalities is the goal. Every day without fatalities should be our shared responsibility,” the Interior Ministry says.
Part of a Continuing String of Interior Ministry Warnings
A week ago, Srpske Novine reported on Interior Ministry data showing that 15 people died on Serbia’s roads over seven days. Today’s eight month figures confirm the problem is not new but runs through the entire year, with pedestrians among the most vulnerable groups caught up in it.
The “Days of Safety” campaign runs through September 22. Until then, traffic police across Serbia will carry out intensified checks, with an emphasis on pedestrian safety at marked crossings.
