Sad record: 12 traffic fatalities in drug accidents in Austria!

Sad record: 12 traffic fatalities in drug accidents in Austria!

In 2024, Austria recorded an alarming increase in racing dead in drug accidents. According to a current publication of statistics Austria, which was published on May 2, 2025, twelve people died in these incidents. This is the highest number since the beginning of the records in 2012. These statistics illustrate a worrying trend growth.

A total of 176 drug accidents with personal injury last year, which corresponds to an increase of 16 percent compared to the previous year. Of the twelve killed, six were under the influence of drugs, while the other six were not affected by substances. In addition, it turns out that 88 percent of the drivers and pedestrians involved who were under the influence of drugs were men.

overall traffic accidents and security situation

The total number of road dead in Austria fell to 351, which means a decrease of 13 percent compared to 2023, but the increase in drug accidents remains alarming. Among the deceased were 270 men, which is the second lowest value in the past 63 years. At the same time, however, an increase in seriously injured was recorded by 8 percent to 7,774. The handlebars of bicycles and e-scooters are particularly affected, of which around 36 percent of the seriously injured accident victims come.

A dark field study by the Board of Trustees (KFV) has shown that in 2023 around 250,000 people under the influence of drugs steered a vehicle. However, only 8,676 advertisements were filed for drug drivers, which corresponds to about 3 percent of the estimated cases. This indicates that a large part of the impaired handlebars remains undetected.

urgent need for action

In order to increase safety in road traffic, there is an urgent need for action in Austria. Experts recommend implementing suitable devices and processes in order to pull drug drivers more efficiently out of circulation. These measures should be based on European role models to improve the drug detection. The path to safer road traffic therefore requires a comprehensive concept that includes both prevention and consistent recording of drug drivers.

The increasing numbers of drug accidents in road traffic are an unmistakable sign of the challenges in front of which Austria is facing. The authorities are required to ensure safe mobility together with the road users.

For more information on the latest developments in this area: Vienna reports, KFV Study.