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Roads to Healthier Traffic
Traffic accidents
Every year a large number of Danes are injured or killed in traffic accidents. However, compared to 1994, the number of persons injured or killed in traffic accidents has fallen (see
table).
The figures in the table include only the accidents that have been reported to the police. From figures registered at Danish casualty wards we know that the real number of casualties may
be up to five times higher, mostly less serious accidents and solo accidents involving soft road users that are not reported to the police.
As regards road fatalities, Denmark is doing quite well compared to other European countries – however, we are not among the best. According to the OECD database of traffic
accidents, Denmark had 8.1 road fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants in 2001, almost the same as in Finland and Germany, with 8.4 and 8.5 respectively. Sweden with 6.2 and Norway
with 6.1 are doing better. But in France the figure is 13.8.
Photo: BAM
Different risks
The risk of being involved in a traffic accident depends on whether you go by bike, by car, or on foot. When we look at the total number of victims, people going by car represent the
highest number of accidents. Almost half of the people who were killed or injured were passengers in or drivers of a car. Pedestrians only represent about one fifth of the road fatalities
and one tenth of the injured, while the corresponding figures for cyclists are just over one tenth and almost one fifth respectively. It is also possible to calculate the risk of different types
of road users being killed or seriously injured in road accidents – seen in relation to the number of kilometres they travel. The calculations show that pedestrians and motor- cyclists are most at risk.
Photo: BAM
Age, speed and alcohol
Drivers below the age of 25 are exposed to special risks in traffic. Of every three road fatalities, one person is below the age of 25. The faster you drive, the
greater the risk of accidents, and the more serious the accidents are. Moreover, studies show a relationship between drink driving and traffic accidents.
Most accidents occur in urban areas, with an average of two thirds of all traffic accidents. About 30 per cent take place outside the cities, and only 4-5 per cent on motorways. The risk
of injury in cities is largest for cyclists and pedestrians.
| Number of persons killed and
injured in Denmark in 1994-2003 |
| |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
| Killed |
546 |
582 |
514 |
489 |
499 |
514 |
498 |
431 |
463 |
432 |
| Injured |
9,757 |
9,991 |
9,810 |
9,617 |
9,175 |
9,393 |
9,092 |
8,465 |
8,791 |
8,412 |
| Total |
10,303 |
10,573 |
10,324 |
10,106 |
9,674 |
9,907 |
9,590 |
8,896 |
9,254 |
8,844 |
Source: Statistics Denmark, 2001 and information system of the road sector, Road Directorate
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Version 1.0 June 2004, © Danish Environmental Protection Agency
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