India Ranked Third Most Dangerous Country for Drivers, Norway Remains the Safest

Johannesburg, March 29, 2025 – A recent report released by Zutobi.com, a US-based driver training company, has brought to light concerning road safety statistics globally. The findings indicate that India holds the position of the third most dangerous country to drive in, while Norway continues to be recognized as the world’s safest driving environment for the fourth consecutive year.

According to the report, India ranked 49th out of 53 countries evaluated, placing it among the bottom five. The United States was found to rank slightly lower at 51st. The analysis considered various factors, including motorway speed limits, blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers, and road traffic death rates to determine safety rankings.

In stark contrast to India’s high-risk assessment, Norway's road safety measures have been highlighted as exemplary, allowing it to maintain its top position in the global rankings. South Africa, however, remains at the bottom of the list as the most dangerous country to drive in for the second year in a row.

The report noted that, despite the grim findings for countries like India and South Africa, there has been a positive trend in road safety overall. The average estimated number of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people across all countries has decreased from 8.9 to 6.3 over the past year. This suggests an improvement in road safety measures and driver awareness, even though speed limits and blood alcohol content regulations remained unchanged across the evaluated nations.

Alisha Chinnah, who works in vehicle licensing and road safety in South Africa, spoke about the challenges in her country, highlighting that while there are laws in place, their enforcement is hindered by issues such as corruption among traffic officers who may accept bribes.

The findings reveal a significant challenge for policymakers in high-risk countries like India and South Africa, where enhancing road safety protocols and enforceable regulations could be crucial in reducing traffic fatalities and improving overall driving conditions.

As the report continues to raise awareness about the dangers of driving in certain regions, it serves as a call to action for governments and local authorities to prioritize road safety and implement effective measures to protect drivers and pedestrians alike.

This report was first published by the Business Standard on March 29, 2025, and reflects the latest analysis on global driving safety, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements in some high-risk regions.