Swiss roads become safer
In the first half of 2015, traffic accidents again resulted in fewer fatalities and serious injuries.
109 people died on Swiss roads in the first half of the year, seven fewer than in the corresponding period of the previous year. 1655 people were seriously injured, a decrease of 350 people compared to the first half of 2014. This is according to the accident register of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO).
The number of fatal accidents on Swiss roads fell by six percent in the first half of 2015 compared with the same period of the previous year. The decrease was particularly marked among occupants of passenger cars (-31 %). Compared to the average of the last five years, the decrease was even more impressive at 45 %. In contrast, more pedestrians (+8) and electric bicyclists (+1) were killed than in the first half of 2014. The number of serious injuries decreased by 17 %.
More pedestrians killed
While the number of seriously injured pedestrians decreased from 336 to 252 (-25 %), there were 23 fatal accidents, 8 more than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Over two-thirds of these fatalities were 65 years of age or older. About one third of them died on pedestrian crossings.
Decrease in seriously injured two-wheeler riders
Compared to the first half of 2014, the number of cyclists involved in fatal accidents decreased slightly (-7 %), while it remained unchanged for motorcyclists. Fewer people were seriously injured in both vehicle categories.
Decreasing influence of speed and alcohol
The trend towards fewer fatalities and serious injuries as a result of excessive speed or alcohol consumption already observed in the previous year was impressively confirmed in the first half of 2015. The strongest decrease was registered for serious injuries due to excessive speed (-34 %).
Highways and freeways increasingly safe
For four years now, accidents involving personal injury on highways and freeways have been in constant decline. The same applies to the number of fatal accidents, which in the first half of the year was no less than 29 % lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year. The number of people seriously injured has also fallen again.
Source: ASTRA
