Portugal´s EN304 may just be Europe´s greatest driving road. In a series that aims to find “Europe´s Greatest Driving Roads” Portugal´s EN304 scored the highest score so far with 57/60 across six categories, with maximum scores for hospitality, scenery, food and drink and thrill factor.


But while one road is being praised many others are being criticised. The Annual Road Accident Report found that the most dangerous road in Portugal, with nine black spots, was the IC19, which links Sintra with Lisbon, according to ANSR.


The list of black spots includes sections with a maximum length of 200 metres where at least five accidents with victims occurred during a year. In second place on the list is the National road (EN) 10 between Vila Franca de Xira and Setúbal with eight black spots, followed by the A2 (Southern Highway), which has six.


The 2018 Annual Road Accident Report, published on 24 July by The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), also found that road signs in the country are getting worse and there has been an increase in the number of pedestrians dying on Portuguese roads in 2018 by some 14 percent.


The Portuguese Association of Road Signs and Safety (Afesp) warns that “if nothing is done next year the result will be worse again”. The association mentions for example, damaged metal guards and shock absorbers and the lack of visibility of signage painted on the floor. “It is evident that drivers cannot adjust their driving to the circumstances of the roads and make the right decision in a timely manner that can minimise risks”.


According to the same report 105 pedestrians died as a result of accidents on Portugal´s roads, 14 percent more than in 2017, with about half of the victims aged over 65. Of the 105 total, 37 were on the road, while 13 were getting out of or into a vehicle, 12 were using a marked pedestrian crossing and 11 were crossing at another point.


The 2018 report indicates that last year a total of 34,235 accidents were reported in which someone was killed or injured, with 508 people dying at the scene or on the way to the hospital, 2,141 people seriously injured and 41,356 suffering minor injuries. Hit and run accidents also rose slightly in 2018 to 1,060, 5.7 percent more than in 2017.