In 2012, almost 28 000 road fatalities were reported in the EU. This is a decrease of around 9% compared to 2011, improving the average reduction rate per year to 5% and setting the EU almost back on track to achieve the target of halving road deaths by 2020 as compared to 2010. On average in 2012 there were 55 road deaths per million inhabitants in the EU Member States. The top road safety performers (lowest number of road deaths per year and million inhabitants) in 2012 are the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark. The highest number of road fatalities in 2012 is found in Lithuania, Romania, Poland and Greece; Lithuania and Romania even suffered increased numbers of road deaths. The age group of 18-24-year olds is heavily over-represented among road deaths: 16% of all road fatalities, 24% of all car driver fatalities. 15% of all road fatalities are motorcycle riders and 21% are pedestrians. A heavy goods vehicle (lorry) is involved in 6% of all accidents but in 16% of all fatal accidents — not necessarily meaning that the goods vehicle occupant is the victim of those accidents. Some 11 000 fatal accidents occur within urban areas each year; 37% of the victims are pedestrians and the elderly (65+ years) are especially over-represented. Around 33% of all road accidents and 57% of all fatal accidents take place on rural roads. 61% of all accidents and 36% of all fatal accidents take place within urban areas. 6% of all accidents and 7% of all fatal accidents take place on the motorways. (Author/publisher)
Abstract