The number of serious road accidents in Switzerland increased significantly last year. The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) is therefore calling for an intensification of accident prevention, especially in built-up areas.
Last year’s road accident statistics are worrying, according to the BFU safety barometer published on Tuesday. In 2022, 241 people lost their lives on Swiss roads, a fifth more than in the previous year and the highest number in seven years. The number of people seriously injured also increased by around 70 to 4,002.
The BFU sees a particular need for action in built-up areas. Almost every second serious accident there involves pedestrians and cyclists, it said in a statementExternal link. One reason for this is collision speeds. The introduction of a 30km/h speed limit could prevent at least one third of the serious accidents in built-up areas on 50km/h roads, it claimed.
‘Paradigm shift’
In this respect, it believed a paradigm shift in traffic planning was needed. According to the BFU, 30km/h speed limits should apply not only to neighbourhood streets but everywhere where road safety requires it. For example, main roads that have the right of way should also be included.
In addition, driver aids such as emergency braking systems could help to ensure greater safety in built-up areas. “A road infrastructure that is easy to understand and forgiving of mistakes would also benefit all road users,” it said.
The BFU also sees potential for improvement in the wearing of seat belts in the back seat of cars and in the wearing of helmets on bicycles and slow e-bikes.
In addition to infrastructure measures and raising the awareness of road users, the BFU also believes that more political will is needed to give road safety more weight again.
More
More
Brain overload and faulty judgment cause most road accidents
This content was published on
Almost all road accidents in Switzerland are due to human errors of judgment or analysis in the preceding moments, a recent study found.
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Swiss citizens will also participate in flotilla against Gaza blockade
This content was published on
Swiss citizens are also taking part in the worldwide flotilla that intends to break the sea blockade in Gaza. The Waves of Freedom Association (WOFA) plans to leave with five boats loaded with baby milk powder and water filters.
Switzerland commemorates Italian partisans who died escaping fascists
This content was published on
Italian partisans tried to flee to Switzerland in October 1944. However, two died and a third was injured in a hail of bullets between their fascist pursuers and Swiss border guards in Ticino. They are now commemorated by so-called stumble stones.
Switzerland follows the EU with new sanctions against Russian oil
This content was published on
Switzerland is stepping up its sanctions against Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine. The measures are aimed at Russia's oil windfall. The European Union (EU) approved the same package of sanctions, the 18th since the start of the war, in mid-July.
Swiss government makes a case for e-ID ahead of referendum
This content was published on
The electronic-ID is secure and easy to use and its use is voluntary and free of charge: these are the arguments the government made in its campaign for a 'Yes' vote on the e-ID Act slated for September 28.
Switzerland trials muzzles and electric harps against Asian hornets
This content was published on
Scientists have fitted several beehives in Cornol in canton Jura with electric harps and muzzles to electrocute and stop Asian hornets.
Record number of fawns saved by Swiss drone volunteers
This content was published on
Thousands of fawns were saved from the blades of mowers thanks to volunteers equipped with drones with thermal imaging cameras.
This content was published on
Houses and flats became more expensive again in the first half of the year. In the second quarter of 2025 in particular, momentum increased across Switzerland due to high demand and low interest rates.
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof receives first Locarno City of Peace Award
This content was published on
The new award was created to strengthen Locarno’s role as a symbol of dialogue and peaceful coexistence, and to mark the centenary of the 1925 Locarno Treaties – a crucial milestone in twentieth-century European diplomacy.
Accidents with wild animals cause CHF50 million in damage
This content was published on
Every year road accidents involving wild animals cause around CHF50 million ($54 million) in damage throughout Switzerland.
Mandatory bike helmet advocates face uphill battle
This content was published on
“I support mandatory bicycle helmets for everyone,” Reto Babst, head of trauma surgery at the Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, told swissinfo.ch. “I see so many accidents with bikes – even normal bikes, not just e-bikes – where people haven’t worn a helmet.” Every year around 900 people are seriously injured on bicycles in Switzerland, with…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.