Status 2023 – Statistics on non-occupational accidents and the level of safety in Switzerland

Minor mishaps without major consequences are a part of everyday life. Sadly, not all accidents remain without far-reaching consequences: every year, 40,000 non-occupational accidents result in serious injuries. More than 2,400 people lose their lives. What the statistics don’t show is the human suffering behind the numbers. On top of this, the material costs of accidents amount to 12 billion Swiss francs per year.

However, many accidents can be prevented. Key to achieving this is the accurate recording of safety indicators. Only by understanding the nature of a problem is it possible to take the appropriate measures. In addition to accident occurrence, the BFU includes other indicators to describe the safety level in the areas of risk behaviour (e.g. exceeding the speed limit in road traffic) and protective behaviour (e.g. wearing personal protective equipment while mountain biking).

The systematic gathering of indicators not only makes it possible to describe the need for action in more detail and plan interventions more thoroughly. Regularly recorded indicators also provide an important source of information to evaluate the implemented prevention measures. We would like to extend our thanks to the Federal Statistics Office (FSO), the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), the Central Office for Statistics in Accident Insurance (SSUV), the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) and other partners for their support and cooperation. Data from other institutions is a cornerstone of the BFU’s annual Status Report.