25.07.2023
Accidents 2002: 165,889 accidents (+9.2%), 3,159 dead (+9.9%), 223,475 injured (+9.2%). Social costs up by 9.8% to 18 billion euro (0.9% GDP).
Once the acute phase of the pandemic is over, 2022 is characterized by a clear recovery in mobility and, as a consequence, in road accidents: 3,159 dead (+9.9% compared to 2021), 223,475 injured (+9.2%), in 165,889 road accidents (+9.2%). All values increasing compared to the previous year, although still decreasing, compared to 2019 (benchmark for the decade 2021-2030) for accidents and injuries (respectively -3.7%, -7.4%) and almost stable for victims (-0.4%). On average, 454 accidents occurred every day (18.9 every hour) with 8.7 deaths (1 every 3 hours) and 612 injuries (25.5 every hour). The social cost of road accidents in 2022 amounts to almost 18 billion euros (0.9% of national GDP): + 9.8% compared to 16.4 billion. of 2021.
These are some of the essential data published in the ACI-ISTAT Report on road accidents 2022, published online.
Mortality rate: 5.4. 14 Regions above the average
In 2022, the mortality rate – number of deaths per 100,000 inhabitants – was higher than the national average (5.4) in 14 regions, including Basilicata (8.5), Valle d’Aosta (8.1), Emilia Romagna (7.0), Umbria and Piedmont, both at 5.7. In 7 Regions, however, mortality rates were lower than the national average: Liguria (3.8), Lombardy, Calabria (4.0 both), Campania (4.1), Abruzzo (4.6), Sicily (4.7) and Molise (4.8).
Mortality index: 4.3 extra-urban, 3.5 motorways, 1.1 urban
The mortality rate increases for all road areas. It remains higher on extra-urban roads (4.3 deaths per 100 accidents), stands at 3.5 on motorways while it is equal to 1.1 on urban roads (4.1, 3.2 and 1.1 respectively in 2021). The national average, practically unchanged since 2010, is equal to 1.9.
Fatalities: Increasing for all users except cyclists and truck occupants
Victims on the rise among occupants of cars (1,375; +15.4%), motorcyclists (781, +12.4%), moped riders (70, +4.5%) and pedestrians (485, +3.2%); on the other hand, there was a decrease among cyclists (205, they were 220 in 2022: – 6.8%) and lorry occupants (166 deceased: -1.8%).
Electric scooters: accidents (+39.4%), deaths (+77.8%) and injuries (+47.4%) are on the rise
Finally, the number of injuries among users of electric scooters is on the increase. The road accidents involving them increased from 2,101 in 2021 to 2,929 in 2022 (+39.4%), the injured from 1,980 to 2,787 (+40.8%), while the dead (within 30 days) are 16, in 2021 they were 9, plus a pedestrian (+77.8%, pedestrian excluded).
Vulnerable users: 49.3% of road deaths. Pedestrians are at risk 4.4 times more than car occupants
Overall, the most vulnerable users (pedestrians, users of bicycles including electric bicycles, electric scooters, mopeds and motorcycles) account for 49.3% of road deaths. Slightly decreasing percentage, both compared to 2021 (50.9%) and 2020 (51.4%). The mortality and injury rates show higher risks for vulnerable users: the mortality rate for pedestrians (2.7 for every 100 accidents) is 4.4 times higher than that of car occupants (0.6). The value of the mortality index referring to motorcyclists is 2.5 times (1.5 deaths every 100 accidents); on the other hand, it is 1.9 times higher for drivers and passengers of electric and non-electric bicycles and scooters (1.1 deaths for every 100 accidents).
Victims: maximum increase between 60-64 years (+35.5%); 15-19 (+21.2%) and 25-29 (10.4%) also increased
Looking at the distribution by age, the victims are concentrated above all in the 45-59 years and 20-29 years for men, between 75 and 84 years and 20-24 years for women. However, the most consistent increase was recorded in the 60-64 age group (+35.5%). The number of victims among very young people (15-19 years old: +21.2%) and young people (25-29 years old: +10.4%) is also on the increase. The share of children (0-14 years) who died in road accidents is particularly negative: 39 in 2022, of which 27 between 5 and 14 years, up (+17.4%) compared to 23 in 2021. The value, which shows no signs of decreasing, is even higher than that recorded in 2019; the children aged 0-14 who died were in fact: 28 in 2021, 37 in 2020 and 35 in 2019.
Main causes: distraction (15% in total), right of way/traffic light (13.7%), speed (9.3%)
“Distracted driving or undecided driving” (32,701 accidents: 15.0% of the total), failure to respect precedence or traffic lights (29,840 accidents: 13.7%) and excessive speed (20,316: 9.3%%) are confirmed as the main causes of accidents. Followed by: irregular maneuvers (e.g. reversing, inversion, irregular maneuver to stop or cross the roadway: 16,788 cases: 7.7%) and failure to respect the safety distance (15,233 cases: 7.0%). Lack of right of way for the pedestrian (7,185) and incorrect behavior of the pedestrian (5,899) finally represent, respectively, 3.3% and 2.7% of the causes of accidents.
Fines: almost 7.9 million +12.3% compared to 2021. Excess speed and no parking are the most sanctioned behaviors
The penalties for violations of the rules of conduct set by the Traffic Police, Arma dei Carabinieri and Local Police in the provincial capitals were almost 7.9 million (on average 21,564 per day, 898 per hour, 15 per minute): 12.3% more than in 2021. Driving too fast (3,042,682) is still the most punished behavior (38.7% of the total), closely followed by fines such as mined for parking regulations: 2,926,821 (37.2%). In third place is non-compliance with road markings and traffic lights (657,764 sanctions, 8.4%).