Serious accidents caused by drink-driving on the rise
The number of alcohol-related accidents resulting in serious injury or death has reached new record highs. Canton Geneva remains number 1 in the sad statistics.
In 2022, there were 432 serious accidents in Switzerland - compared to 364 in 2021. 25 of the accidents in 2022 were fatal, compared to 15 in 2021. For the seventh year in a row, Geneva had the highest number of serious accidents caused by drink-driving per 10,000 inhabitants. Parallel to the increase in the number of accidents, 23 percent more driving licenses were revoked due to drink driving.
According to data from the map.geo.admin.ch portal, the number of road accidents with alcohol as the main cause increased significantly in 2022 compared to 2021 - 4,558 accidents in 2022 correspond to an increase of 19 percent compared to 3,815 accidents in 2021. In view of the 432 serious accidents (with serious injuries or fatalities) caused by drink-driving, the 2022 figure is the worst in the last ten years. With the exception of a slight decline in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, the number of this type of accident has been rising since 2016.
Geneva is and remains the canton with the most cases
With 1.04 accidents per 10,000 inhabitants, the canton of Geneva once again had the most serious accidents due to drink-driving in 2022. The canton has led this sad statistic for six years. With the exception of the cantons of Jura, Zug, Zurich and Uri, where the number of serious accidents is declining, they have increased in all cantons. The national average has also risen significantly, from 0.42 accidents per 10,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 0.49 in 2022.
Canton of Vaud with the most fatal accidents
Alcohol had the most fatal consequences on the roads in Vaud. There were six fatal accidents here. This is followed by Ticino with three fatal accidents caused by drink-driving. Valais, Solothurn, Bern, Lucerne and Aargau follow with two fatal accidents each. The cantons of Geneva, Glarus, Neuchâtel, Jura, Fribourg and Graubünden each had one fatal accident. In total, drink-driving caused 25 fatal accidents last year.
More and more driving licenses are being revoked
After a decline in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, the number of driving licenses revoked for drink-driving jumped by 23 percent in 2022. In 2022, 13,043 driving licenses were revoked for drink-driving, compared to 10,591 in 2021.
In view of the festive season, the TCS is once again reminding people to choose between alcohol and driving. Drinking alcohol severely impairs your ability to drive and, in particular, your ability to react, pay attention and judge distances, and gives you a false sense of security.
Source: TCS
