In just one week, from August 3 to 9, the Slovak police recorded 266 traffic accidents — 44 more than in the same week last year. In these accidents, 26 people were seriously injured, and two died. If you drive to work every day or take children, these are the numbers you should see before getting behind the wheel.
Since the beginning of 2026, the picture looks even more alarming. As of August 9, there have been 7072 traffic accidents on the country's roads — 311 more accidents than in the same period last year. 156 people died, 36 more than last year. However, the number of seriously injured has slightly decreased — from 519 to 485, writes Regiony.zoznam.sk citing the police.
Record 2025 — and a trend reversal
The paradox is that last year was the safest in Slovakia's history: 227 deaths for the entire 2025 year — the lowest number since 1966, when statistics began, reported Aktuality.sk. Overall, there were 11,634 accidents last year, which means one accident approximately every 45 minutes.
Now the death toll is rising again: 36 more deaths compared to last year's dates. The "historic break," which the police reported back in January, is practically erased this summer.
What kills most often on Slovak roads is clear from the annual statistics:
- Inattention while driving, including using the phone — 6,020 accidents and 73 deaths in 2025. The most common cause.
- Speeding — 1,201 accidents and 49 deaths.
- Alcohol — 1,214 accidents caused by drunk drivers. The number is slowly decreasing but not disappearing.
To understand the scale of control: in 2025, the police recorded 223,906 cases of speeding and 22,496 cases of phone use while driving. Radars and patrols work, and the chance of getting a fine here is quite real.
Where and when the risk is highest
According to last week's data, the most accidents occurred in Prešovský and Košický krajs (regions) — 42 in each. These are exactly the regions where many Ukrainians live and work. The fewest accidents traditionally occur in Trenčiansky kraj — 20 cases were registered there.
The most accident-prone day of the week according to 2025 data is Friday, and the riskiest hours are from 12:00 to 16:00. The police explain the summer increase simply: there are more cars, motorcyclists, cyclists, and tourists on the roads, and it is crowded on the same asphalt. The current traffic accident statistics are regularly published by the Ministry of the Interior.
What the police advise
The recommendations are simple, but statistics show that breaking them costs lives: adjust speed to the situation, not the sign; keep distance; keep the phone out of your hands for the entire trip; do not drive after a glass of wine or beer at all. In summer months, be doubly careful at intersections — watch for motorcyclists and cyclists, who are easy to miss in the "blind spot."
If you plan a trip to the east of the country, to Košice or Prešov, keep in mind: the roads there are the most dangerous this August.
