Significantly More Traffic Fatalities on Austria's Roads in the First Half of the Year

The preliminary data shows an increase from 138 to 162 deaths, which corresponds to an increase of 17 percent, as reported by the Road Safety Board. The current balance is also overshadowed by the deaths of four children.

Sharp Increase in Traffic Fatalities on Bicycles, E-Bikes, and E-Scooters

14 percent of all traffic fatalities were pedestrians. About one in five accidents involved a motorcycle. Compared to the same period last year, the number of affected bikers increased by 19 percent. Also noticeable is the sharp increase in fatalities on bicycles, E-bikes, and E-scooters by 108 percent. The situation has been particularly drastic this year for unprotected road users. The KFV analyzed data from the Ministry of the Interior and Statistics Austria up to and including June 29. According to this preliminary half-year balance, 16 percent of the total 162 traffic fatalities were involved in accidents with bicycles, E-bikes, or E-scooters.

KFV Calls for Mandatory Helmets for E-Bike and E-Scooter Riders

"The boom in E-bikes and E-scooters means that unprotected road users are traveling significantly faster today and are therefore exposed to a higher risk of injury than before," said Klaus Robatsch, head of road safety at the KFV. The expert reiterated the call for the introduction of mandatory helmets when using E-bikes and E-scooters. Additionally, the infrastructure for cyclists must be significantly expanded at all levels.

While three children lost their lives in road traffic in the first half of the previous year, this year there have already been four. Two of them were independently traveling with bicycles and were killed at unguarded railway crossings. The KFV therefore also calls for a tighter timeframe for the inspection of railway crossings, according to the press release.

"The goal of the Austrian road safety strategy of a maximum of 310 deaths by the end of the year is likely to be clearly missed, as more accidents typically occur in the second half of the year than in the first," said Robatsch. The main causes of accidents in the first half of the year were inattention and distraction, as well as inappropriate speed.

Corona Years Brought Fewer Traffic Fatalities on Austria's Roads

Over the ten-year period, it is noticeable that the Corona years 2020 and 2021 (153 and 151) with all their restrictions resulted in the lowest traffic fatalities in the first half of the year. In 2016, there were still 190 casualties in the same period, and even 199 in 2018. While 2022 saw 191 fatalities again, the number dropped to 179 in 2023 and even to 138 in the previous year. According to the mobility club ÖAMTC, a comparison of federal states shows that only in Carinthia, Salzburg, and Styria did the number of traffic fatalities decrease. Increases, on the other hand, were recorded in Burgenland, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Tyrol, and Vienna. In Vorarlberg, the number remained unchanged.

ÖAMTC Warns of Upcoming Accident-Prone Days

With the start of the holidays in eastern Austria and the onset of travel traffic, the most accident-prone days of the year are now approaching, warned the ÖAMTC. A current analysis by the club shows that from 2012 to 2024, an average of 155 accidents with personal injury occurred on July 6th - about 55 more than on an average day. "The first week of July is generally particularly accident-prone: Five of the ten days with the highest accident occurrences fall within this period," said ÖAMTC traffic engineer Christoph Schönlechner. July also tops the monthly comparison - ahead of June and August. In the summer months, inattention, distraction, fatigue, and health problems due to heat occur significantly more frequently than the annual average. The expert advocated starting long journeys well-rested, taking regular breaks, and ensuring adequate fluid intake.

VCÖ for Speed Limit 80 Instead of 100 on Rural Roads

In view of the high death toll, the mobility organization VCÖ advocates for a speed reduction on rural roads, which accounted for 56 percent of traffic fatalities last year. "The safest countries in Europe have lower speed limits on rural roads. In Austria, too, many serious accidents could be avoided and lives saved if a speed limit of 80 on rural roads became the rule and 100 the exception that needs justification," said VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky. More speed controls, especially on rural roads, are also important.

In international comparison, it is also evident that traffic fines in Austria are relatively low. An example is using a mobile phone while driving: "Those who talk on the phone with a mobile at their ear react as poorly as a drunk driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.8. Even more dangerous is writing messages while driving. The penalty of 100 euros is disproportionate to the danger to the health and life of other road users," said Jaschinsky. The VCÖ calls for the inclusion of the offense of using a phone while driving in the demerit point system.

(APA/Red)

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