The number of deaths on Luxembourg’s roads has dipped to the lowest levels ever recorded Pexels

The number of deaths on Luxembourg’s roads has dipped to the lowest levels ever recorded Pexels

While the number of road traffic accidents in Luxembourg rose 1% from 941 to 955 in 2017, deaths fell, according to the infrastructure ministry’s figures (PDF).

The number of people who died as a result of a road traffic accident fell by over a fifth, from 32 to 25. Serious injuries, however, rose 3% from 249 to 256 as did minor injuries, jumping 6% from 954 to 1016.

Motorists made up almost half of the people killed or seriously injured in accidents at 132 victims, of which 13 were killed. Motorcyclists were the next most likely to be impacted, making up almost a quarter of victims, including 6 deaths and 58 serious injuries. Four pedestrians were killed, and 41 seriously injured. 22 cyclists suffered serious injuries although no cyclists were killed.

Speed was found to be the main cause of death (11) and serious injury (83), with more injuries caused by speed in 2017 than in 2016.

Alcohol continued to be a factor in causing accidents resulting in death (4) and serious injury (43). An upward trend was also noted in the latter, from 38 serious injuries in 2016. Deaths from drug-related accidents also rose slightly, from 3 to 5.

The most-likely demographic to be involved in a road traffic accident, according to the report, was men aged 24-44.

Releasing the results on Wednesday, infrastructure minister François Bausch said he would continue to fight for zero road deaths and injuries but shared his concern for the safety of motorcyclists. He said that despite the measures taken to improve the safety of motorcyclists, no positive result had been observed.

“Since the beginning of the year, several serious motorcycle accidents have occurred, while the motorcycle season has just begun. Several motorcyclists have already lost their lives on the roads of the Grand Duchy in 2018,” the ministry said in a press release.

Further road safety measures planned for 2018 include signs to alert motorcyclists to dangerous sections of road, police checks on motorcyclists and road markings to show safe positioning for motorcyclists when turning.