Safety level in public transport remains high
Public transport passengers were once again very safe on the road in 2021. However, according to the safety report of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the number of occupational accidents close to rail transport remains comparatively high.
People who use public transport generally travel very safely. This is confirmed by the Safety Report 2021, which the Federal Office of Transport published today, Tuesday, June 21. According to the report, the number of accidents remained at the level of previous years. On a positive note, the Federal Office of Transport highlights that the number of fatalities in accidents involving public transport or rail freight was very low.
Still many at construction sites of public transport facilities
A total of 189 serious accidents occurred last year, resulting in 15 fatalities and 133 serious injuries, according to the FOT's safety report.
The fatalities were primarily employees of transport companies or contracted construction firms, as well as people who were on public transport facilities without permission. However, in previous years, the number of fatalities was almost twice as high. There was a slight increase in the number of people seriously injured this year.
More investment in safe level crossings
Last year, shunting and working in the track area proved to be particularly risky, according to the report. Accidents occur, for example, during practical work in the track area under traffic, on work sites and in the shunting area. Signals are not heeded or are heeded too late, and specified work procedures are not or insufficiently observed.
The FOT will therefore carry out additional checks in this area in the current year in addition to its usual monitoring activities. However, safety at level crossings is very high. According to the FOT, it has paid off to invest in the systematic renovation of level crossings in recent years.
Source: Federal Office of Transport (FOT)
