In the first quarter of 2024

Road accidents: Four people died in Carinthia

In the first quarter of this year, four people lost their lives in road accidents in Carinthia, one less than in the same period last year. Nevertheless, the total number of road fatalities is higher than in previous years. 

The Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ) published the statistics on road deaths in our country again this year: "Austria-wide, the number of road deaths fell by almost a third this year in the first quarter to 53, the second-lowest figure in the 21st century." Although a decrease was also recorded in Carinthia, around 400 people were injured in road accidents in the first three months.

Fatalities in the 1st quarter in previous years

• 1st quarter 2024: 4 road deaths (provisional data)
• 1st quarter 2023: 5 traffic fatalities
• 1st quarter 2022: 6 traffic fatalities
• 1st quarter 2021: 3 traffic fatalities
• 1st quarter 2020: 5 traffic fatalities
• 1st quarter 2019: 2 traffic fatalities
• 1st quarter 2018: 6 traffic fatalities
• 1st quarter 2017: 3 traffic fatalities

"In the past two years, there were twice as many traffic accidents on Carinthia's roads in the 2nd quarter as in the 1st quarter," notes the VCÖ. The VCÖ reiterates its call for more traffic calming and a speed limit of 30 instead of 50 km/h in built-up areas as well as a speed limit of 80 instead of 100 km/h on open roads.

Reducing the speed limit could prevent worse
"It is a law of physics that the stopping distance increases with speed, thus increasing the risk of accidents and, in the event of an accident, the risk of injury. The consequences of misconduct such as distraction and carelessness are also more fatal at higher speeds. Slower speeds improve road safety," reminds VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky.