Road deaths up for first time in four years

The number of deaths on Swiss roads rose by four per cent in 2007, with nearly a fifth more fatalities among motorcyclists.

Reversing a recent trend, 384 people were killed last year, compared with 370 in 2006, according to an annual study by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.

Eighty-two motorcyclists died, up from 69 in the previous year, but the number of cyclist deaths fell by 14 per cent over the same period.

Speed and drink-driving were the main causes of accidents, the number of which had gradually dropped over the past four years.

Despite the slight increase in deaths, Swiss motorways have been ranked the safest in Europe by a European Transport Safety Council report, also released on Tuesday.