64 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in Austria in the first three months of 2026. This is one more person than in the same period last year, according to figures released by the mobility organization VCÖ and the traffic club ÖAMTC from the Ministry of the Interior. The most traffic fatalities occurred in Lower Austria with 22. Two federal states, Vienna and Burgenland, achieved the goal of "zero traffic fatalities." Most of the victims were in a car.

"This corresponds to an increase of two percent compared to the previous year and represents the fourth lowest value since records began," explained ÖAMTC traffic engineer David Nosé in a statement on Wednesday. Car occupants accounted for the largest share with 34 fatalities, followed by pedestrians (10), small truck occupants (8), motorcyclists (4), and cyclists (3).

More Fatalities Among Small Truck Occupants

Around 53 percent of all traffic fatalities were in a car. Half of them died in head-on collisions, a third in single-vehicle accidents - almost all of which ended with an impact on an object (mostly a tree). 31 of the 34 car fatalities occurred in rural areas. The increase in fatalities among small truck occupants is also noticeable, accounting for 13 percent of all traffic fatalities - three times the rate of previous years. Half of the fatalities in a small truck died in single-vehicle accidents with an impact on an object.

Unprotected road users (pedestrians, cyclists) have so far been slightly less likely to die than the average of the past 14 years. The suspected main cause of accidents is still predominantly inattention/distraction, followed by inappropriate speed and failure to yield, according to the ÖAMTC. "Austria massively missed its traffic safety target last year with 397 traffic fatalities. Instead of decreasing, the number of fatalities on the road unfortunately remains high this year as well," said VCÖ expert Klara Maria Schenk.

(APA/Red)

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