Pedestrian and motorcycle deaths increase in Switzerland

The driver of this car, which crashed in canton Solothurn, escaped unhurt. Not everyone involved in road accidents was so lucky. Keystone

A total of 253 people died on Swiss roads in 2015 – ten more than the previous year. Although the number of car accident deaths fell, more fatalities were recorded among pedestrians, motorcyclists and e-bikers.

In addition, 3,830 people were seriously injured, the Federal Roads Office said on Thursday. Switzerland has a population of 8.3 million.

The trend for fewer fatal car crashes continued last year, ending 16% below the four-year average.

However, 58 pedestrians were killed, a third more than the previous year. Almost two-thirds of these were aged over 65 and one third were killed on zebra crossings. That said, the Roads Office pointed out that pedestrian deaths have decreased over the long term.

Another significant jump in deaths was seen among motorcyclists: 66 died on roads last year, which is 25% more than the previous year. The roads office suspected the exceptionally mild summer in 2015 played a role here: almost two-thirds of fatal motorbike accidents happened between June and September. The same period for 2014 was responsible for only half the total deaths.

The number of bicycle deaths dropped by 14% but the number of e-bike deaths increased from five to 14. More than two-thirds of these victims were over 65.

Each year some 1,250,000 people are killed on the world’s roads, according to the World Health OrganizationExternal link (WHO). Swiss roads are some of the safest in the world and those in Africa and Asia the most dangerous.