Continued improvement in Swedish road safety

Sweden’s road safety continues to improve as highlighted by the latest official statistics. These show that a 9% drop in road fatalities for 2013 compared with the previous year. In all 260 people were killed in road crashes on Sweden’s roads during 2013. The official data was compiled by Trafikanalys and to put this in context, Sweden’s rate of road-related fatalities is now at its lowest level since 1944. It is worth noting that in 1944, there were comparatively few registered motor vehicles in Sweden while wartime fuel shortages meant that distances travelled were very low. Bearing in mind the massive increase in vehicle ownership and huge jump in total distances travelled, this drop in fatalities is extremely significant. But the reasons for this drop in fatal crashes have not been revealed and until this information is available, any benefits of best practice methodology for road safety to help other European nations will be limited. Sweden has consistently had one of the best records on road safety of any country in the world over a period of years. Penalties for driving offenders are tough and enforcement measures are regular and consistent.