Driving in certain cities around the world poses significant challenges due to factors such as heavy traffic congestion, poor infrastructure, aggressive driving behaviors, and high accident rates. Understanding these challenges is crucial for both residents and visitors to navigate safely. Here is an overview of 20 cities renowned for their hazardous driving conditions:
1. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels has made notable strides in enhancing road safety, achieving a 9% reduction in injury-related accidents from 4,141 in 2023 to 3,752 in 2024. This improvement is attributed to measures such as expanding 30 km/h zones and increasing separated cycle paths.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly concerning vulnerable road users. In 2022, cyclists accounted for 18% of road fatalities in Belgium, a figure higher than the EU average.
2. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City faces significant challenges regarding road safety. In 2019, the city reported 13,229 traffic accidents, averaging approximately 36 incidents daily. These accidents resulted in 335 fatalities and 13,227 injuries. Notably, pedestrians accounted for 44% of the deaths, highlighting their vulnerability. Additionally, the city’s traffic congestion contributes to a high incidence of minor collisions and fender benders.
3. Manila, Philippines
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, faces significant road safety challenges. In 2023, cars were involved in approximately 54% of road accidents in Metro Manila. Contributing factors include rapid urbanization, high population density, and a growing number of vehicles, leading to severe traffic congestion.
The Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) indicates that accidents involving heavy vehicles and elderly pedestrians, particularly during evening hours, have a higher likelihood of fatal outcomes.
4. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland’s capital, faces notable road safety challenges. In 2021, the city recorded 1,788 traffic-related injuries, highlighting the risks for road users. Nationally, Ireland reported 140 road fatalities in 2019, equating to 28 deaths per million inhabitants—one of the lowest rates in the EU. However, urban areas like Dublin experience a significant share of these incidents, particularly involving vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
5. Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital, faces significant road safety challenges. In 2019, the city recorded 6.25 traffic accidents per kilometer, which decreased to 4.75 accidents per kilometer in 2021. Human error was identified as the primary cause of these incidents.
Nationally, Indonesia reported approximately 27,530 traffic fatalities in 2022, indicating an upward trend in road-related deaths. During the 2024 year-end holiday season, the country recorded 2,497 road accidents, a 14% decrease compared to the previous year.
6. London, United Kingdom
London has made significant strides in improving road safety, with 2023 recording 95 road deaths—the lowest number on record outside of pandemic years. This marks a 6% decrease from 102 fatalities in 2022. Despite this progress, challenges persist, particularly for vulnerable road users.
In 2023, pedestrians accounted for 49 fatalities, up from 41 the previous year, while cyclist deaths increased slightly to eight. Cars were involved in 68% of all casualties, with speeding identified as a contributing factor in approximately half of fatal collisions.
7. New York City, USA
New York City faces significant road safety challenges, with traffic-related incidents causing numerous fatalities and injuries annually. In 2018, the city recorded 228,047 motor vehicle accidents, averaging approximately 625 crashes daily. These incidents resulted in 197 fatalities and 44,300 injuries.
Brooklyn and Queens accounted for over half of these accidents, with 28.8% and 29.5% of the total, respectively. Pedestrians and cyclists remain particularly vulnerable; in 2018, there were 4,289 bicycle accidents and numerous pedestrian-involved collisions.
8. Bogotá, Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, has historically faced significant road safety challenges. Between 1996 and 2006, the city achieved a remarkable 60% reduction in road fatalities, decreasing from over 22 to seven deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite these improvements, traffic accidents remain a concern, with 500-600 fatalities reported annually.
In 2022, Colombia experienced 8,469 traffic-related deaths, indicating a troubling upward trend. To address these issues, Bogotá has implemented automated traffic enforcement cameras, resulting in a 25% reduction in fatal accidents and saving approximately 30 lives per year.
9. Toronto, Canada
Toronto, Canada’s largest city, faces notable road safety challenges. In 2021, there were 60,825 reported collisions, resulting in 163 fatalities and 6,698 serious injuries. Notably, 42% of these fatalities involved pedestrians, highlighting their vulnerability. Cyclists also face risks; in 2021, there were 1,097 reported collisions involving bicycles, leading to 3 deaths and 271 serious injuries.
10. Paris, France
Paris faces significant road safety challenges, particularly concerning vulnerable road users. In 2023, France recorded 221 cyclist fatalities, an 18% increase compared to 2019. Additionally, 438 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents involving a third party, representing a 10% decrease from 2019.
The city’s dense traffic and the rising popularity of cycling have intensified conflicts between motorists and cyclists. High-profile incidents, such as the death of cyclist Paul Varry in October 2024, have sparked public debate on road violence and the need for improved safety measures.
11. Rome, Italy
Rome’s roads present notable safety challenges, with the city leading Italy in both traffic accidents and fatalities. In 2022, Rome recorded 11,798 accidents resulting in 124 deaths, surpassing Milan’s 7,527 accidents and 38 fatalities. Between 2019 and 2021, the city averaged approximately 25,828 accidents annually, with 9,500 involving injuries or fatalities.
High-risk areas include the historic center and Tiburtino district, the latter reporting 35 deaths over three years. Notably dangerous locations encompass stretches of Lungotevere, Piazza Venezia, and Via Nomentana near the GRA.
12. Mumbai, India
Mumbai’s road safety landscape has shown both concerning trends and notable improvements. In 2023, the city recorded 2,533 road crashes, marking a 34% increase from 1,895 accidents in 2022. Fatalities also rose by 4%, with 384 deaths in 2023 compared to 371 the previous year.
Despite these increases, targeted interventions have yielded positive outcomes. At 30 identified black spots, road crashes and fatalities decreased by over 40% from 2023 to 2024, with incidents dropping from 292 to 173 and deaths from 53 to 29.
13. Beijing, China
Beijing, China’s capital, faces notable road safety challenges, though comprehensive city-specific data is limited. Nationally, in 2020, China reported 244,674 road traffic accidents, resulting in 61,703 deaths and 250,723 injuries. In 2023, the country recorded 436 major road accidents—those causing three or more deaths—marking a 12% decrease compared to 2019. Males and rural areas consistently exhibit higher road traffic mortality rates.
14. Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Memphis, Tennessee, has been identified as the most dangerous U.S. city for drivers. In 2022, the city recorded 207 fatal car crashes, equating to 33.33 deaths per 100,000 residents—nearly triple the national average of 11.77. This alarming statistic underscores the significant risks associated with driving in Memphis. Contributing factors include high rates of drunk driving; Memphis leads major U.S. cities with 7.5 fatal crashes involving alcohol per 100,000 residents.
15. Detroit, Michigan, USA
Detroit, Michigan, has consistently faced significant road safety challenges. Between 2017 and 2021, the city reported 108 traffic fatalities, resulting in a per capita fatality rate among the highest in major U.S. cities. In 2023, Michigan recorded nearly 288,000 car accidents, with over 1,000 resulting in fatalities. Contributing factors in Detroit include speeding, hazardous road conditions, and impaired driving.
16. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Albuquerque, New Mexico, faces significant road safety challenges. In 2021, the city reported 13,955 car accidents, accounting for nearly 39% of all traffic incidents in the state. These crashes resulted in 112 fatalities and 4,459 non-fatal injuries. Notably, Albuquerque had the highest fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled among surveyed U.S. cities.
Distracted driving contributed to 13.5% of fatal crashes and 21.0% of non-fatal injury crashes. Most accidents occurred during weekday afternoons, peaking between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
17. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Tucson, Arizona, faces significant road safety challenges, with a higher-than-average accident rate compared to the rest of the state. In 2024, the city recorded 5,684 crashes, highlighting the prevalence of traffic incidents. Certain intersections are particularly hazardous; for instance, the intersection of Golf Links and Swan reported 32 crashes in 2024, making it the most dangerous in Tucson.
18. Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Kansas City, Missouri, faces notable road safety challenges. In 2023, the city recorded 100 traffic fatalities, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Additionally, there were 15,000 reported traffic accidents, resulting in 5,000 injuries. High-risk areas include the intersections of Main Street and 39th Street, as well as Interstate 70 and Interstate 435.
19. Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, faces significant road safety challenges. Nationally, in 2020, Venezuela reported 11,127 deaths due to road traffic accidents, accounting for 7.06% of total deaths, with an age-adjusted death rate of 39.75 per 100,000 inhabitants, ranking 26th globally. In Caracas, traffic congestion is prevalent and often exploited by criminals, including armed motorcycle gangs operating within traffic jams.
20. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, faces significant road safety challenges. In the third quarter of 2023, Lagos recorded 110 road accidents, comprising 18 fatal, 64 serious, and 24 minor incidents, resulting in 164 injuries and 34 deaths. Speed violations were the leading cause, accounting for 56 accidents, followed by mechanical failures (12 cases) and route violations (10 cases). Nationally, Nigeria reported over 11,800 road traffic casualties in the fourth quarter of 2021, with approximately 10,200 injuries and 1,600 fatalities.
🚦 Why These Cities Are So Dangerous for Drivers
Across the world, these cities share a few common threads that make them so risky for drivers:
- Overpopulation and rapid urbanization outpacing infrastructure.
- Poorly maintained roads and limited investment in traffic management.
- Lack of enforcement of driving laws or corruption in traffic policing.
- Cultural driving norms that reward aggression or disregard for regulations.
- Extreme congestion that not only frustrates drivers but increases the risk of accidents, road rage, and even roadside crime.
📚 Sources
- https://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/guides/worst-cities-to-drive-worldwide
- https://www.usnews.com/news/cities/slideshows/cities-with-the-worst-traffic-in-the-world
- https://www.insurancerevolution.co.uk/blog/5-worst-places-to-drive-in-the-world/
- https://goldlaw.com/what-are-the-most-dangerous-cities-to-drive-in/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world-ranked-2020-1
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51881292
Read Next: 23 Most Dangerous Cities in the United States That Might Shock You
The USA is known as a country for the free and the brave. But, with much freedom comes a lot of responsibility. Over the past few years, the crime rate in America is slowly rising, with violent crimes increasing. That’s why you should know the most dangerous cities in the United States according to the latest data.
While there can be many reasons crime increases in any country, it is crucial to be aware of which cities see the most crime potential before booking a trip— especially as a solo traveller.
23 Most Dangerous Cities in the United States
37 Most Dangerous Cities in the World You Need to Know About
While traveling is one of the greatest joys humans have, certain places need you to take extra precautions. With frequent news stories of violence, kidnappings and gang warfare, it’s hard to ignore the reality that there are dangerous places to travel to.
If you have no idea what the most dangerous cities in the world are, don’t worry — this guide’s got you covered. It’s been compiled using data from the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice (MCPSCJ) and sources like The Economist Intelligence Unit.
Whether you’re looking at places to avoid when traveling or just want to stroke your curiosity, you’ll find some of the world’s most dangerous cities below.
37 Most Dangerous Cities in the World
31 Most Dangerous Cities in Europe You Might Want to Avoid
Europe is an incredibly diverse continent and has many beautiful cities. Many of those cities are perfectly set up for tourists, but some are considered more dangerous than others.
What makes a city dangerous? Is it the number of criminal reports? Natural disasters? Scams? Terrorist attacks? Generally, it’s a combination of all of those. Europe is quite lucky to be a continent full of safe and bucket list-worthy destinations. But there will always be some level of risk wherever you go.
31 Most Dangerous Cities in Europe
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.