More seriously injured cyclists and pedestrians

Last year, the number of people killed in road traffic accidents fell by 15% compared to 2015, to 216 people (in 1971 it was 1773; the highest level). Since then, the number has fallen steadily by a total of 88%, according to the Federal Roads Office (Astra) writes. The bfu is pleased with this positive development, but remains concerned about the very slow decline in the number of serious injuries, as the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention emphasizes. However, the only slight reduction in the number of serious injuries compared to 2015 confirms the trend already communicated by the bfu on several occasions that the number of serious injuries is not experiencing the same positive development as the number of fatalities - especially among pedestrians and cyclists.

More accidents in the first half of the year

According to Astra, there were also fewer fatalities among motorcyclists: in 2016, 43 motorcyclists were fatally injured in traffic accidents (-35%). Among the occupants of passenger cars, 75 people died, as in the previous year. It is noticeable that the reduction in the number of fatalities, as well as serious injuries, occurred almost exclusively in the first half of 2016 (reduction in the first half: -32 fatalities; reduction in the second half: -5 fatalities). The cloudy weather in the first half of the year most likely contributed to this decrease, as fewer motorcyclists were on the road, according to the bfu. This theory is supported by the fact that the number of seriously injured cyclists decreased in the first half of the year and increased in the second half.

According to Astra, 24 fatalities were recorded among cyclists (-1 person compared to 2015). The number of seriously injured, on the other hand, has increased slightly from 838 to 854 people.

Problem children slow traffic and e-bikes

According to Astra, the increased emergence of e-bikes in recent years has led to a significant increase in accident victims, reaching a peak in fatalities in 2015 and serious injuries in 2016. With a total of 210 accident victims, the figures showed an upward trend. Two-thirds of them were people over the age of 50, he said. Around a quarter of the e-bike riders who were seriously injured were riding a fast e-bike with pedal assistance up to a maximum of 45 km/h, according to the Federal Office.

If one considers only the non-motorized or lightly motorized road users, the development predicted by the bfu some time ago is confirmed, namely that the problems of non-motorized traffic with regard to road safety are accentuated. This is also shown in the bfu graph on the indexed development of serious personal injuries by road user.

Here you can go to the detailed accident data.