With more than 17,000 traffic accidents and over 27,000 fatalities in four years, state statistics show that Macedonia has a continuous increase in traffic risks.
In this context, the largest automated traffic control system is also being launched – “Safe City”, which has recorded tens of thousands of violations per day during the testing period, raising the question of whether advanced technology can stop the growing cycle of traffic accidents.
The number of traffic accidents, according to data from the State Statistical Office, which in 2021 reached 4,069, decreased slightly to 3,952 in 2022. However, instead of continuing the downward trend, the following year the number increases again to 4,274, and in 2024 it reaches 4,526 accidents.
In parallel with the increase in accidents, the number of victims also increases. After a significant decrease in 2022, when 6,420 victims were recorded, there is another increase – 7,105 in 2023 and 7,298 in 2024. Compared to the lowest point in 2022, this is an increase of almost 900 people in just two years.
The increase in the number of deaths is particularly alarming.
While 116 people died in 2021, in 2022 the number increases to 124, in 2023 it reaches 127, and in 2024 it marks the highest value – 142 victims.
The majority of deaths in 2024 are drivers, 85 in total, followed by 33 passengers and 24 pedestrians.
Although the number of pedestrian deaths has fallen slightly, the loss of life among drivers is the highest in the last four years.
Injuries are also on the rise. The number of people seriously and slightly injured, which was 6,659 in 2021, decreases to 6,296 in 2022, but increases to 6,978 in 2023 and reaches 7,156 injured in 2024.
In summary, the last two years show a continuous and clear increase in the number of accidents, the number of injuries, and the number of deaths.
At the same time, the state is launching the most complex system for automatic traffic control – “Safe City”. The system includes a network of stationary and mobile cameras, radars, integration with databases and automatic generation of reports. Violations (speeding, running a red light, unregistered vehicles, illegal parking) are documented digitally, and notifications and payment orders will be sent electronically, with a discount for timely payment.
The trial period of the “Safe City” system began on December 1, 2025 and according to information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the first trial period, 110 thousand violations were registered in 24 hours, while the next day, on December 2, a total of 50,652 violations were registered, which represents a halving of the number of violations registered. Of these, 48,861 are speeding violations, 1,366 for red lights and 425 for unregistered vehicles.