Road safety in Lower Austria: Men are the main culprits!

Road safety in Lower Austria: Men are the main culprits!

In Lower Austria, the danger in road traffic is clearly gender-dependent. According to a comprehensive analysis by the VCÖ, based on data from Statistics Austria, a total of 92 women and an alarming 287 men died in traffic accidents between 2021 and the end of November 2024. What is particularly striking is that in the 15 to 24 year old age group, four times as many young men as women had fatal accidents. The difference becomes even more serious in the group of 25 to 64 year olds: Five times as many men died here, which illustrates the precarious mobility patterns. The difference is also significant in the age group over 64; 72 men were fatally injured, compared to 44 women NOEN reported.

The analysis also reveals that men are three times more likely to cause fatal traffic accidents compared to their female counterparts. Women's mobility and driving behavior is considered safer, which is reflected in the numbers. A point of concern is alcohol-related accidents: around 85 percent of drivers under the influence of alcohol are men. VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky makes it clear: “If the overall group of men were as safely mobile as the women, the number of fatal traffic accidents would be around half as high.” Older women are also particularly at risk; loud MyDistrict Almost 48 percent of female fatalities were over 64 years old. Traffic planning that is suitable for seniors is urgently needed here in order to increase their safety.

Risk factors and mobility behavior

The study highlights alcohol and speeding as key risk factors, driven primarily by men across all age groups. These behaviors lead to a significant increase in the number of accidents. It has also been noted that women drive less often and walk more often, which makes them more vulnerable in certain situations. Many fatal accidents occur particularly in local areas: 27 percent of fatal accidents involving women occurred there compared to 16 percent for men. In order to improve traffic safety, pedestrian-friendly and senior-friendly planning is essential, Jaschinsky continued.