Traffic death toll further down

·         791 people killed on Dutch roads in 2007

·         More 15 to 20-year-olds killed, mainly (light) moped drivers

·         More road deaths aged between 20 and 30, increase among cyclists

·         Fewer traffic deaths in their forties and sixties

·         People in their eighties constitute highest risk group

·         Substantial increase in traffic deaths in Limburg

Last year, 791 people were killed on Dutch roads, 20 ((2.5 percent) down on 2006, when 811 people were killed. Half a decade ago, 1,088 lives were lost in traffic accidents. Despite the downward trend, the death toll among young people and young adults increased last year, according to figures released by Statistics Netherlands and the Department of Traffic and Shipping (DVS) of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. 

In the 1970s, the annual number of traffic fatalities topped 3 thousand. In the early twenty-first century; approximately 1,100 people annualy died in traffic accidents. In 2007, the number had dropped to below 800 for the first time and the downward trend continues.

The total number of road deaths is declining marginally, but this does not apply to all age categories and types of transport. The death toll among 15 to 20-year-olds rose, in particular among (light) moped drivers. More people in their twenties died in traffic accidents after a gradual reduction in recent years. Nationwide, the traffic death toll has been highest in the age category 20-30 for years. Six in every people aged between 20 and 30 who died in road accidents were car drivers or passengers. Cyclists also account for part of the increase in traffic deaths in this age group.

The traffic death toll declined among people in their forties and sixties. In previous years, the number of deaths among people aged between 40 and 50 has never been under one hundred. Car drivers and passengers account for half of the reduction. Among 60 to 70-year-olds, the decline largely concerned cyclists. 

Proportionally, most traffic fatalities are recorded among over-80s. Last year, 15 in every 100 thousand over-80s were involved in fatal road accidents. This rate is three times as high as in the entire population (5 in every 100 thousand). 

In the province of Limburg, the traffic death toll rose considerably in 2007 relative to 2006. Just like in previous years, the province of North Brabant has the highest traffic death toll, accounting for 20 percent of all road deaths. This is partly due to the fact that this province has the most extensive road network.

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