Fatal accidents on Switzerland’s railways on the rise

Last year, 227 people lost their lives on the roads, while the serious injuries were 3793, with motorcycles and electric bikes on top

Last year, 227 people lost their lives on Swiss roads, while the number of serious injuries was 3793: this is what emerges from the latest road accident statistics of the Federal Roads Office.
Most of the victims were travelling in cars, motorcycles and bicycles, while the number of pedestrian fatalities fell.
The annual road accident statistics are based on the data contained in FEDRO’s special information system, which records all accidents reported by the police that occurred on public roads and squares involving at least one motor vehicle, bicycle or similar vehicle.

How Casualty Statistics are Created

The “fatalities” category includes people who died at the scene of the accident or within 30 days of the accident as a result of their injuries.
As of 2018, the accident survey includes the use of a new report, so the data analysis has been slightly modified; this may result in slight variations to the figures already published in recent years.

Unfallstatistik Strassenverkehr 2020 (German)
Statistique des accidents de la route 2020 (French)
Statistica degli incidenti stradali (Italian)

The main cause “Inattention/Distraction” now also includes the headings “Failure to observe the direction indicator or stop lights of another vehicle”, “Delayed recognition of the vehicle due to poor visibility” and “Other obstructions to the driver’s vision”.
Beginning in 2020, and retroactive to 2011, vehicle-like vehicles are statistically considered as a separate category. Until 2017 they were included in the “Pedestrians” typology, and in 2018 and 2019 under “Others”.

A comprehensive review of 2020 and beyond

In 2020, traffic accidents caused a total of 227 deaths (2019: 187) and 3793 serious injuries (2019: 3639), thus marking a new increase in serious injuries, although the long-term trend over the past few years is downward in Switzerland.
The breakdown by category shows the following scenario:

a) Car occupants

The number of deaths in this group rose to 71.6 more than in the previous year, while the number of serious injuries fell to 611 (95 fewer). Deaths in accidents that occurred due to driving under the influence of alcohol also increase (2020: 17; 2019: 11).

b) Motorcycle drivers

Among motorcyclists, 52 deaths were recorded, compared to 30 in 2019, most of them (39) on suburban stretches; 998 serious injuries (2019: 990).
Analyzing accidents by type, the marked increase in the category skidding and loss of vehicle control is striking; often the cause is inappropriate speed.
In 2020, many people took advantage of the last opportunity to obtain a licence for large motorcycles through direct access (abolished on 1 January 2021) and this is reflected in the accident figures.
There were 240 serious injuries among licensed motorcycle learner drivers (10 fatalities, 230 serious injuries, +8 and +55 people respectively compared to 2019).

c) Bicycle riders

In 2020, 29 cyclists lost their lives, 13 more than in the previous year, with a sharp increase in population centers, where 19 victims were recorded (+10); 5 people were fatally struck on bike paths or lanes and 2 on the sidewalk.
It should be noted that in 21 fatal cases the accident was the cyclist’s own responsibility. Also noteworthy is the increase in deaths in the 65-84 age group, which rose 8 units to 14. There were 934 serious injuries (2019: 802).

d) E-bike drivers

The upward trend in serious injuries while riding e-bikes continued in 2020: 15 deaths (2019: 11) and 521 serious injuries (2019: 355).
In most cases, these were incidents of skidding or loss of vehicle control.
The Bikeways Act, which is currently in preparation, will improve and make safer infrastructure for traditional cyclists and slow e-bike users.
The consultation procedure was completed in September 2020; the Federal Council will now have to submit the corresponding message to Parliament.
The Road Traffic Act is also being revised: in this context, additional measures are to be introduced to protect e-bike users, such as mandatory helmets and daytime running lights for all and speedometers for fast models.
The pandemic has encouraged the use of two wheels: in the second and third quarters of 2020, the distances covered by traditional and electric bikes increased significantly (https://ivtmobis.ethz.ch/mobis/covid19/). This factor may also have affected the accident rate.

e) Pedestrians (persons without vehicles)

Among pedestrians, there was a slight decrease in fatalities, from 37 in 2019 to 36, and serious injuries, from 524 to 408. Nearly half of the fatalities occurred in crosswalks.

f) Users of vehicle-like vehicles

This type of non-motorized micro-mobility includes, but is not limited to, scooters, inline skates, and skateboards.
Fatal accidents have also occurred here: in 2020, 2 people died and 57 were seriously injured (2019: 39). The most affected are children from 2 to 13 years of age.