Three out of five serious accidents on two wheels
It is true that Switzerland is one of the countries with the safest roads in the world, as accident figures have developed positively over many decades. However, the number of fatalities and serious injuries has stagnated instead of decreasing.
According to a projection by the Swiss Federal Accident Prevention Bureau (BFU), 200 people have lost their lives in road traffic accidents in Switzerland. The number of people seriously injured rose from 140 to 3933 accident victims. Compared to the previous year, the number of serious personal injuries on motorcycles among 16 to 17 year olds has jumped. One reason is likely to be the access to 125cc bikes, for which this age group has also been permitted since 2021.
An increase in the number of people seriously injured on e-bikes has also been evident for years. Last year, 841 people suffered serious or fatal injuries on bicycles. According to the BFU, this is about the same number as in 2011 (837 people). Common causes of accidents are inattention, distraction and alcohol.
However, all road users have a role to play when it comes to more prevention in road traffic. Many car drivers drive too fast or are distracted. Many cyclists do not make themselves visible enough.
More on the level of safety and accident occurrence in road traffic is summarized in the current "Sinus" report of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU). The BFU's "Sinus 2022" also shows: of five serious personal injuries in road traffic accidents, three involve the drivers of motorcycles, bicycles and e-bikes.
Source: AAIB/editorial office
