The number of pedestrians killed on Swiss roads dropped by a third to 21 in the first half of 2008, while cyclist and motorcyclist deaths fell slightly.

There were 157 road deaths in total from January to June, a drop of four per cent on the same period last year, according to new figures from the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.

Along with fewer deaths, there was a marked improvement in the number of people seriously injured in road accidents. Such cases were down 13 per cent to 2,145 people.

The council noted that a positive downward trend in deaths and injuries among vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists – appeared to be established.

Road safety is better in Switzerland than in neighbouring countries. With only 49 road deaths per million inhabitants in 2006, its position is more favourable than Germany – 62 per million – France (74), Austria (88) or Italy (92 in 2005).

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