Neuchatel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The number of road deaths in Switzerland in 2008 was 357, a 7 percent decrease in the number of fatalities over 2007. Serious road injuries fell 9 percent and slight injuries were down 5 percent over 2007, according to Swiss Statistics, out 20 August.
This is the lowest number of fatalities recorded since 1945, and yet the number of passenger vehicles in circulation on Swiss roads went from 63,000 in 1945 to almost 4 million today. Since 1971, the year most road deaths were recorded – 1,622 – these accidents have declined dramatically.
The report also underlines that 93 percent of slightly injured people had been using their seat belt, whereas in fatal accidents or serious injuries only 73 percent of the victims had been. Two-thirds of accidents still happen inside municipal limits, although serious injuries and fatalities occur most often on roads outside of towns or villages.
A serious injury is taken to be one that keeps someone from normal activity for at least 24 hours; a death is counted if the victim dies within 30 days of the accident.
Press communiqué (Fre), Swiss Statistics site on road accidents
