Switzerland has recorded the highest rise in road deaths among all European countries, according to a new report by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). The findings reveal a troubling 34 percent increase in fatalities over the past five years.
In 2024, 250 people lost their lives on Swiss roads — a figure that stands in sharp contrast to the overall European trend, where road deaths dropped by an average of 12 percent during the same period.
Over the past decade, Europe has achieved a 17 percent reduction in road fatalities. Switzerland, however, is moving in the opposite direction, reporting a 2.9 percent increase. Experts say the trend undermines the country’s long-standing reputation as one of Europe’s safest for motorists and pedestrians.
“Road safety is not a sure-fire success,” warned Mario Cavegn, Head of Road Traffic at the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU). He stressed the urgent need for a decisive shift in traffic policy to halt the rise in deadly accidents.
The BFU sharply criticized what it called insufficient political will to enforce proven safety measures. “There are effective measures, but they can only be implemented if the political will is there,” Cavegn said.
Several policy changes have drawn particular concern. Since Switzerland lowered the minimum age for motorcyclists, serious accidents involving riders under 18 have more than doubled. Meanwhile, parliament recently rejected a proposal to make helmets mandatory for children riding bicycles.
“These are avoidable risks,” Cavegn noted, warning that the failure to act decisively on such issues sends the wrong message about the country’s safety priorities.
The BFU is now calling for a politically anchored national road safety target backed by a clear, measurable action plan. This plan should adopt the “safe system approach,” focusing on safer roads, safer vehicles, responsible behavior, and speed management.
Experts argue that without a coordinated, evidence-based strategy, Switzerland will continue to lag behind its European peers. “We know what works,” Cavegn emphasized. “What’s missing is the political courage to implement it.”
As Switzerland grapples with a rise in preventable road deaths, the new figures serve as a stark warning. Without urgent intervention, the country risks losing both its reputation for safety and more precious lives on its roads.