Romania has the deadliest roads in the European Union, with 78 people dying per million in 2024 due to traffic accidents. Almost half of the 1,500 annual road deaths are pedestrians and cyclists. Journalist Lucian Mîndruță survived multiple crashes, sharing, "I was not careful enough, driving slowly enough, or really aware enough." In response, the Romanian government has increased penalties for aggressive driving and introduced speed cameras with automatic violation detection. Road deaths fell by 13% in 2025, yet challenges remain. The European Commission has asked Romania to comply fully with road safety laws. Poor road infrastructure, an old diesel car fleet, and reckless driving cause continued dangers. Bucharest suffers heavy traffic and is the EU's second-most polluted capital, with traffic causing 60% of air pollution. Environmental groups highlight the risk from old imported cars lacking modern safety features. Bigger SUVs, now half of new cars in Romania, raise worries over visibility and increased crash harm. Speeding and unsafe pedestrian behavior are major causes of road accidents. Rural roads see double the death rates of cities due to poor crossings. Mîndruță warns, "Killing somebody else would have been a nightmare," urging safer driving. While efforts to improve road safety are underway, it will take time to change the culture and reduce fatalities dramatically.