Slight decrease in deaths on Dutch roads last year

Last year, 675 people died in the Netherlands in a traffic accident. That is nine fewer than a year earlier and a decrease of 491 compared to 2000, when there were 1,166 traffic deaths, according to the latest figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

In 2024, 246 cyclists died in traffic accidents. That is 24 fewer than a year earlier, but still more than the average between 2000 and 2022. During that period, an average of 199 cyclists died in traffic each year. Cyclists form the largest group of traffic fatalities. At least 44 percent were riding an e-bike, and most (60 percent) died from head injuries. The government recently launched another campaign to encourage cyclists to wear helmets.

The biggest group of victims was elderly people over the age of 80. That is a shift compared to 25 years ago. At that time, most fatal traffic victims were young adults between the ages of 20 and 30. Last year, 152 young adults died in a traffic accident, compared to 453 in 2000. This is mainly because young people are now less likely to have accidents as occupants of passenger cars or as drivers of scooters.

The number of car accident fatalities rose from 194 in 2023 to 220 last year. Compared to 2000, when over 500 people died in car accidents, there was still a sharp decline.

The number of scooter and moped riders who died in a traffic accident reached its lowest level in the last 25 years. Last year, 30 people died in traffic due to an accident with a moped or scooter. In 2000, there were 104 victims.

The lowest number of traffic fatalities was in 2013 and 2014. In both those years, 570 people died in a traffic accident.