Road accidents fall to record lows in 2008

The number of road deaths and people injured on Swiss roads fell significantly last year, with 357 killed and 4,759 sustaining serious injuries.

The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention said the number of deaths was seven per cent lower than in the previous year and the number of injured was down nine per cent.

It described the figures in a statement on Tuesday as “historically low”.

The Council said the positive trend, in particular for pedestrians and motorcyclists, was due to a number of factors, including a 30 kilometres per hour speed limit in built-up areas and technical progress made in some vehicles.

It also cited increased speed checks by the police and the lowering of the permitted level of alcohol in the blood.

However, it noted that a continuing cause of concern was that almost one in four road death victims was a motorcyclist.