Darkness as a danger

3571 pedestrian accidents recorded in the previous year

The risk for pedestrians in road traffic increases with darkness.(Bild: U. J. Alexander - stock.adobe.com)

There was an increase in 2023 with 3571 accidents involving pedestrians. 52 people lost their lives. In 2022, there were 3428 accidents and 49 fatalities, compared to 4290 accidents and 82 pedestrians killed in 2013. 

"With the time change next weekend, it will get dark earlier again. Many journeys - especially in the late afternoon and early evening - will then be made in poor visibility conditions," says ÖAMTC traffic engineer David Nosé. 

Poor visibility in the fall and winter months
Since 2018, an average of 3352 accidents involving pedestrians have occurred each year, 28 percent of which occurred in November, December and January. The proportion of fatal pedestrian accidents in these three months was as high as 36 percent.

Older people particularly at risk
Older people are particularly at risk: 42 percent of pedestrian fatalities were over 74 years old. Yet only 14 percent of all those involved in accidents came from this age group.

Around a third of pedestrian accidents occur on safety routes, with an average of around 1,000 accidents involving personal injury and nine fatalities per year. This corresponds to almost a third of all accidents involving pedestrians and a fifth of all pedestrian fatalities.

Tips for better visibility:

• Good sightlines between drivers and pedestrians, low approach speeds of vehicles and good lighting of the protective path are essential.

• Better visibility of pedestrians themselves also helps a lot, for example through bright clothing and reflectors. "A person equipped with reflectors can be seen from a distance of around 130 meters, while a person in dark clothing can only be seen from around 25 meters," says Nosé.