Already More Traffic Fatalities This Year Than in the Entire Year 2024

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 353 traffic fatalities, compared to 351 last year, reported the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) on Monday. For the entire year, the KFV expects a projected total of 382 fatalities. The goal of the traffic safety strategy to keep the number below 310 has clearly been missed. There have been increases in fatal bicycle accidents - including e-bikes and e-scooters.

In the entire previous year, a total of 39 people lost their lives with bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, while this year there have been at least 64 deaths so far, an increase of 73 percent. "One reason for the changes in accident occurrences is the increased use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and bicycles. Additionally, the poorly developed cycling infrastructure for the steadily increasing bicycle traffic is a factor," explained Klaus Robatsch, head of the traffic safety department at KFV, in a statement.

Recently Fewer Injured Car Occupants

The exact numbers of those injured in traffic accidents in 2025 are not yet available. However, the long-term trend in bicycle traffic is also clearly upward. "In 2024, there were 74 percent more cyclists and e-scooter riders involved in accidents with personal injuries than ten years ago," reported Robatsch. "In the car sector, however, there is a decrease of 24 percent. These are factors that Austria must take into account much more strongly in prevention."

According to KFV analysis, in the past ten years, 68 percent of all killed bicycle and e-scooter users were themselves the main cause of the accident - last year this share was even 87 percent. Excluding all single-vehicle accidents, a total of 267 bicycle, e-bike, and e-scooter users have been fatally injured in collisions with other vehicles over the past ten years. In about half of these cases (132), however, it was not the deceased but their accident opponents who bore the main responsibility.

Traffic Fatalities: KFV Demands Measures

"We appeal to all motor vehicle drivers to choose an adapted driving style - especially where they come into contact with bicycle traffic," said Robatsch. "At the same time, cyclists should be aware that they are the more vulnerable in the event of an accident and therefore should not insist on their right of way if a situation appears too risky."

The KFV calls for a helmet requirement for all ages for those traveling with e-bikes or e-scooters. This could prevent up to 1,000 head injuries annually - and thus numerous hospital stays and consequential damages. Additionally, the KFV advocates, among other things, for a massive expansion of voluntary bicycle and e-bike courses as well as the rapid expansion of cycling infrastructure.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.