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Our motoring editor answers your questions on road deaths and who is most likely to be a victim
Q Are road deaths in Europe on the rise or falling?
A Around 20,400 people were killed in road crashes in the EU last year, a 1pc decrease on 2022. Since 2019, the number of road deaths has scarcely fallen in Spain, France and Italy, while it has risen in Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Sweden. In contrast, over the last four years, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary and Poland are on track to meet the 50pc reduction target in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
Q How does Ireland compare with the rest of Europe?
A The safest roads are found in Sweden (22 deaths per million inhabitants). Bulgaria (82/million) reported the highest fatality rates in 2023. The EU average was 46 road deaths per million inhabitants. In Ireland in 2023 there were 35 road fatalities per one million inhabitants compared to 31 in 2022.
Q Which road user group represents the most fatalities?
A Drivers and passengers made up 45pc of all fatalities. And pedestrians accounted for 18pc; motorbikers and moped riders account for 19pc, and cyclists 10pc. The patterns change significantly depending on age. Among those aged 65 and over, pedestrians represent 29pc of fatalities and cyclists 17pc.
Q Have road deaths fallen in the past decade in all category of road user?
A The number of cyclists killed on EU roads is a serious concern: more than 2,000 were killed in 2022. This is the only main road user group not to see a significant drop in fatalities over the last decade. This is largely due to a lack of decent cycling infrastructure and unsafe behaviour of all road users such as speeding, distraction and driving under the influence.
Q Do the figures break down equally between men and women?
A Men accounted for 77pc of road deaths. People aged 65 and above represented 29pc of all road deaths but make up 21pc of the population. People aged 18-24 accounted for 12pc of road deaths but 7pc of the population. ●