Tyrol records 23 road deaths so far this year

Twenty-three people have died in road crashes in Tyrol since the start of the year, ORF reported, citing the Austrian Traffic Club (VCÖ). Motorcyclists were the largest group of victims, followed by car occupants and then e-bike and bicycle riders.

The number of road deaths has fallen compared with the same point last year. Tyrol could still record its lowest annual total since accident statistics began, the VCÖ said. The previous low was 26 deaths in 2020.

Since 2000, 1,345 people have died in traffic crashes in Tyrol, a figure comparable to the population of Gries am Brenner. Speed, attention and infrastructure are the key factors in road safety, said Klara Maria Schenk of the VCÖ.

Tyrol has the fifth-lowest number of road deaths among Austria’s nine states, after Vienna with eight, Vorarlberg with nine, Burgenland with 10 and Carinthia with 19. Lower Austria has the highest total, at 91. Across Austria, 304 people have died in road crashes so far this year.

The VCÖ says lower speed limits reduce crashes and save lives by shortening stopping distances and reducing the impact of collisions. It says lowering the speed limit on roads outside built-up areas from 100 to 80 km/h could prevent many serious crashes. Physically separated cycle paths are among the most important safety measures for people cycling, it said.

For pedestrians, the VCÖ called for measures in built-up areas, including 30 km/h limits instead of 50 km/h in residential areas and near schools and care homes for older people.