Over 1 million injuries per year: BFU sets the course for fewer accidents
There are too many non-occupational accidents in Switzerland. More than one million people are injured every year on the roads, in sport, at home and in their leisure time. This is a major challenge for public health. With its new multi-year program 2026-2030, the AAIB shows how it intends to prevent these accidents. The focus is on accidents that result in serious and fatal injuries.
A collision with a bicycle, an injury on a mountain hike, a fall on the cellar stairs: non-occupational accidents are a major challenge for public health. More than one million people are injured in their leisure time every year. Every eighth person in Switzerland has to seek medical treatment for a non-occupational accident in the course of a year. In addition to the personal suffering caused by these accidents, there is also the economic significance. The material costs alone amount to around CHF 12 billion per year. In addition to the medical costs, this includes, for example, the cost of lost working hours.
More free time, more accidents
"People in Switzerland have more free time today than they did 30 years ago. This is also reflected in the accident figures," explains BFU Director Stefan Siegrist. Today, more people are injured in their free time than at work. That's why the BFU is focusing its new Multi-year program 2026-2030 clear prevention priorities. It is a comprehensive catalog of measures to prevent accidents on the road, in sport, at home and during leisure time.
Evidence-based and practical
Where the BFU is active, it investigates based on facts - through accident analyses and the collection of safety indicators. Findings from research are consistently translated into effective measures. The aim is to put prevention knowledge and know-how into practice in a targeted manner. The BFU will develop innovative prevention tools and make them available - for example to driving schools for training new drivers, operators of snow sports facilities or health professionals in the area of fall prevention.
More power thanks to local anchoring
"Good prevention works and saves costs. With the new multi-year program, the AAIB is setting the course for a Switzerland with fewer accidents," summarizes Stefan Siegrist. The AAIB will also continue to develop its prevention services for the public and use its network of 1,200 safety delegates in all regions of Switzerland. At the same time, cooperation with partners and dialog with authorities and decision-makers will be intensified.
With the new multi-year program, the AAIB also wants to adapt its prevention work to social developments, new findings and changing conditions. A regular review and prioritization of measures is planned.
