Public transport: more accidents at work
Public transport in Switzerland continues to offer a high level of safety. This is shown by the Safety Report 2022 of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT). However, the high number of serious accidents at work requires further measures, according to the FOT.
People who use public transport in Switzerland travel very safely, as can be seen from the Safety report 2022 of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT). The comparison with private transport shows that the risk of a fatal accident in a car is 93 times higher per person-kilometer than in a train, writes the FOT. When cycling, the risk is 1096 times higher, on the motorcycle 2539 times.
The safety level in public transport as well as in rail freight transport was stable at a high level compared to previous years. According to the data, the accident figures in 2022 were within the normal fluctuation range. This applies to the number of serious accidents in general and the number of seriously injured.
More fatalities
On the negative side, the number of fatalities in public transport increased in 2022, following a low in the previous year. Most of the fatalities were caused by other road users who came into conflict with public transport on the roads and by people who were on transport areas, e.g. tracks, without permission, as the FOT emphasizes.
More accidents at work
With regard to occupational accidents, an increase was recorded in 2022 compared to previous years. The FOT was notified of 21 occupational accidents with serious injuries or fatalities, 12 of which occurred on construction sites. Two other employees were killed or seriously injured while shunting. The railroad companies therefore remain under great pressure and are obliged to reduce the risk of accidents on public transport construction sites with additional measures, according to the media release. The FOT will continue the increased controls within the framework of safety supervision and is also examining further measures.
In an international comparison, Swiss public transport is very safe. In the year under review, Switzerland ranked third behind the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In terms of safety at level crossings, Switzerland is at the top, it concludes.
