Summer traffic deaths fall in Upper Austria

Traffic deaths fell in Upper Austria during July and August, ORF reported, with 18 people killed in crashes compared with 20 in 2025 and 23 the year before.

Across Austria, 81 people died on the roads during the two summer months. That was one quarter fewer than in the same period last year, according to Interior Ministry figures analysed by motoring club ÖAMTC.

Motorcycle crashes often linked to riding errors

So far this year, 59 motorcyclists have died in crashes across Austria, with nearly half of those deaths occurring during the summer months. Experts estimate that almost every second fatal motorcycle crash was caused by a riding error.

The risk of a fatal crash is 30 times higher for motorcyclists than for people travelling in cars, according to the ÖAMTC.

A lack of regular road experience is one problem, while inattention and inappropriate speed remain the most common causes of crashes. With autumn approaching, other risks include animals crossing the road, fog, low sunlight and slippery fallen leaves.