Road safety in 2024: an alarming report with an increase in victims among pedestrians, two-wheeled vehicle drivers, and electric scooter users

The road safety report for the year 2024 reveals a concerning trend, with a notable increase in the number of victims involving pedestrians, motorized two-wheelers, as well as electric scooter users. While mortality remains generally stable, these vulnerable user categories reflect a growing challenge for Road Prevention and for all stakeholders involved in Sustainable Mobility. Indeed, despite ongoing efforts by authorities and associations such as the Association of Road Users, the figures reported by the National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR) show a risk of exceeding the objectives set for Safe Roads and Safety First. These figures highlight the need to strengthen corrective measures and awareness campaigns, particularly regarding the behavior of Vigilant Drivers and the promotion of Safe Scooters.

Furthermore, the rapid development of alternative transportation modes and the increasing mixing of users on the road necessitate determined action to ensure Road Protection for all, especially Pedestrians in Safety, who are too often exposed to serious or even fatal accidents. This observation underscores the major issues related to adapting infrastructure, regulations, and the collective responsibility of drivers and pedestrians. In this context, analyzing data, the underlying causes of this increase, and possible solutions is essential to move towards viable and sustainable solutions.

Alarming Trend in Mortality Among Pedestrians and Vulnerable Users in 2024

The increasing trend in the number of victims among pedestrians in 2024, with a 4% rise in deaths, highlights a persistent fragility requiring sustained attention. These accidents primarily occur in urban areas, often linked to lapses in road attention or inadequate infrastructure. Road Safety specifically points to driver behavior, which does not always respect speed limits or pedestrian crossings, thereby increasing insecurity for the most vulnerable users.

Pedestrians are even more exposed as the variety of usage on public roads has grown, now including motorized two-wheelers, bicycles, and motorized personal transport devices (MPDs), especially electric scooters. This complex coexistence often makes it difficult to anticipate trajectories and maintain sufficient vigilance. Awareness campaigns promoted by the Association of Road Users aim to raise consciousness of these risks, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of mutual respect between pedestrians and drivers.

An aggravating factor identified is the non-compliance with basic rules by some users, such as not wearing visibility equipment or recklessly using mobile phones while walking. A more detailed analysis shows that this increase may also be related to a lack of adequate infrastructure, such as insufficient protected pedestrian crossings, the absence of speed bumps, or poor lighting conditions.

The table below illustrates the distribution of deaths among pedestrians in urban and peri-urban areas between 2023 and 2024:

Year 📅	Deaths in urban areas 🚶‍♂️	Deaths in peri-urban areas 🚶‍♀️	Annual variation 📊
2023	435	98	–
2024	456	104	+4 %

To address this situation, urgent measures need to be reinforced, including improving pedestrian infrastructure and providing better training for Vigilant Drivers. The link between rigorous technical inspections of vehicles, including motorized two-wheelers, and accident prevention is also a key leverage, as highlighted by recent news related to motors’ technical inspection.

• 🌟 Reorganization of pedestrian zones and crossings
• 🌟 Strengthening awareness and training campaigns
• 🌟 Encouraging respectful driving through appropriate sanctions
• 🌟 Promoting good visibility practices, especially for pedestrians

Increasing Accidents Involving Motorized Two-Wheeler Drivers: A Major Challenge for Road Safety

Motorized two-wheeler drivers form a particularly exposed category, with mortality increasing by 2% in 2024, totaling 726 deaths recorded. Although this rise is moderate in overall figures, it reflects a troubling dynamic given the growing number of users in major urban areas and departmental roads. The lack of physical protection for two-wheelers, combined with frequently high speeds and insecure infrastructure, largely explains this vulnerability.

It is noteworthy that among deaths involving motorized two-wheelers, a quarter concern users not wearing helmets, highlighting a serious breach of basic Road Safety rules. This situation also underscores the crucial role of initial and ongoing driver training, as well as the urgent need for embedded technologies or suitable MPDs to enhance safety.

To better understand the causes, it is useful to examine the main accident circumstances:

• ⚠️ Inattention and risky behaviors, including speeding
• ⚠️ Inadequate infrastructure for two-wheel motorized travel
• ⚠️ Lack of protective equipment (helmet, gloves, reinforced clothing)
• ⚠️ Non-compliance with traffic laws by other users

A recent study emphasizes that the integration of measures such as mandatory regular inspections, discussed in technical control of motorcycles, as well as targeted prevention campaigns, can reverse this trend. Simultaneously, the responsibility of Vigilant Drivers on the road is fundamental to eliminating certain dangerous behaviors.

Contributing Factors 🛵	Accident Percentage in 2024 📈
Not wearing a helmet	26 %
Speeding	38 %
Inadequate infrastructure	20 %
Visibility issues	16 %

Strengthening roadside controls coupled with increased user awareness is imperative. Furthermore, promoting specific insurance coverage for these drivers is an important safety net: to learn more about suitable coverage, a review of insurance solutions related to two-wheel vehicles is available.

The Rise of Electric Scooters and the Increase in Accidents: A New Challenge for Prevention

The rapid democratization of motorized personal transportation devices (MPDs), led by electric scooters, poses a new major challenge to Road Safety. In 2024, deaths associated with these vehicles increased by 2%, reaching a total of 45 victims. This phenomenon is explained by the multiplication of users, often poorly trained and sometimes irresponsible regarding traffic rules.

This mode of mobility, aligned with a Sustainable Mobility approach, must be paired with a rigorous safety strategy to limit the risks of serious accidents. The National Union of Road Safety Associations emphasizes the need to establish stricter standards for these vehicles and their use, a necessary condition for their integration as Responsible Vehicles.

The main causes of accidents involve:

• 🛴 Use without protective equipment, especially helmets
• 🛴 Circulating on sidewalks in conflict with pedestrians
• 🛴 Excessive speed and recklessness in pedestrian zones
• 🛴 Lack of visibility and inadequate signaling

It is essential for regulation to evolve to establish Safe Scooters, including requirements for lighting, speed control, and wearing equipment. Additionally, better awareness among Vigilant Drivers using these devices should be promoted based on a comprehensive prevention plan.

Causes of MPD accidents ⚠️	Incidence 🔢
Absence of helmet	45 %
Riding on sidewalks	30 %
Excessive speed	15 %
Lack of visibility	10 %

The implementation of innovative, especially digital, solutions allows imagining a future where these devices are better integrated into urban landscapes, with stricter regulation. Furthermore, there is a need to highlight the importance of suitable insurance for MPD users, similar to that widely promoted for other vehicles, which plays a significant role in risk management, as explained in this article on auto insurance and its benefits.

Human and Behavioral Factors at the Heart of Increasing Victims on the Roads

Despite technological and regulatory progress, human factors remain the primary explanation for road accidents. A significant portion of incidents involving pedestrians, two-wheelers, and scooters result from inattention, recklessness, or non-compliance with rules. Recent studies highlight the increasing need for collective awareness and greater responsibility, both among Vigilant Drivers and Safe Pedestrians.

In this regard, promoting a Safety First Culture involves daily vigilance against potential dangers. Attention to distractions such as mobile phones is a major warning point. Additionally, fatigue and alcohol remain widely involved factors, although campaigns and controls are gradually reducing their impact.

• 📵 Reducing phone use while driving or walking
• 🍃 Encouraging responsible and sustainable mobility
• 🛡️ Raising awareness of dangers related to excessive speed
• 💡 Increasing awareness of safety equipment usage

Authorities and associations advocate for regular user engagement in prevention through various educational and regulatory means, including decisive intervention by road safety professionals, such as accident investigators, a key profile for Road Safety responsible for analyzing accidents precisely.

Major Human Cause ⚠️	Estimated Impact on 2024 Accidents 📉
Distraction (mobile, conversation)	32 %
Alcohol and substances	18 %
Excessive speed	28 %
Non-compliance with pedestrian rules	22 %

Impact of Road Infrastructure on the Safety of Vulnerable Users

A major issue often highlighted concerns the quality and relevance of road infrastructure in relation to the diversity of users. Roads in 2024 must accommodate heavy vehicles and cars but also ensure the safety of Safe Pedestrians, cyclists, and users of soft modes such as electric scooters. This challenge calls for a realistic diagnosis of structural deficiencies.

The coexistence of different modes often leads to conflicts and potential accidents. Adapting regulatory infrastructure with protected bike lanes, meeting zones, and dedicated spaces for MPDs are essential improvement avenues. Respecting principles of sustainable mobility demands the implementation of Safe Roads accessible to all.

For example, some rural areas remain particularly dangerous due to narrow, poorly lit roads where crossing at high speeds with pedestrians or cyclists is too frequent. Regular maintenance of road surfaces is also vital to reduce falls and slips for two-wheelers and MPDs.

• 🚧 Creating multi-use safe lanes
• 🚧 Enhanced lighting improvements on risk-prone axes
• 🚧 Appropriate signaling for vulnerable users
• 🚧 Regular maintenance of surfaces

Type of infrastructure 🛤	Situation 2023	Situation 2024	Needed improvements ✔️
Protected bike lanes	58 % covered	62 % covered	Yes
Protected pedestrian zones	47 %	50 %	Yes
Enhanced public lighting	42 %	45 %	Yes
Dedicated MPD lanes	15 %	19 %	Yes

The Role of Prevention Campaigns in Accident Reduction

Prevention campaigns remain an essential tool to reverse the accident trend by targeting risky behaviors. The importance of combining communication, education, and sanctions is already well recognized. In this context, the Association of Road Users continues to provide expertise to public authorities and to mobilize citizens around the values of respect and vigilance.

These notably progressive campaigns rely on clear messages and modern technologies to reach a broad audience, particularly via social networks and digital media. The connection with concrete actions, such as stricter control of MPDs or awareness campaigns about helmet use, offers promising avenues for development.

The following list highlights the main axes of these campaigns:

• 📢 Raising awareness of the specific risks faced by vulnerable users
• 📢 Promoting the use of protective equipment
• 📢 Providing information on legal obligations and penalties
• 📢 Educating road users from a young age

An essential supplement also involves collaboration with the insurance sector, which plays a significant preventive role. In this regard, understanding insurance arrangements suitable for each vehicle type is among the educational tools to develop, similar to what is offered in the article on insurance for horses and equids Bashkir 2025.

The Responsibility of Drivers and the Concept of Responsible Vehicle for Safer Roads

The role of the driver remains crucial in the safety dynamic. The modern concept of Responsible Vehicle goes beyond merely obeying traffic laws, incorporating an ethical and collective approach. In 2024, driver accountability, whether behind the wheel of a car, a motorcycle, or an MPD, is imperative to ensure harmonious coexistence and the preservation of lives.

The expected commitments include:

• 🚦 Strict adherence to traffic rules
• 🚦 Anticipation and courtesy towards vulnerable users
• 🚦 Rigorous follow-up on technical and regulatory controls
• 🚦 Continuous awareness through training and feedback

The exemplary conduct of drivers is crucial to establishing a climate of trust conducive to Safer Roads. Moreover, synergy with insurance professionals and the road safety sector, as discussed in the section on auto insurance, offers an additional guarantee toward Safety First. A comprehensive analysis of hit-and-run issues, an ongoing problem on roads, is also fundamental: learn all about this offense.

Responsible Driver’s Commitments ✔️	Concrete Actions ⚙️
Respect speed limits	Regular controls and appropriate sanctions
Signage and increased vigilance	Ongoing training and awareness campaigns
Vehicle maintenance for safety	Mandatory periodic technical inspection
Considering the vulnerability of other users	Training in adapted driving and mutual respect

Future Outlook and Corrective Measures for Safe and Sustainable Mobility

Based on the 2024 report, it is clear that combating the increase in road victims requires increased mobilization and strategic evolution. Future prospects involve an integrated policy combining technological innovation, enhanced awareness, and infrastructure adaptation to new usages. Public authorities and civil society aim to ensure a balanced progress between mobility development and safety.

In the short term, several corrective measures are planned:

• 🔧 Greater deployment of intelligent speed control systems
• 🔧 Expansion of calming zones and securing shared roads
• 🔧 Strengthening training and regular skill audits
• 🔧 Encouraging the adoption of Safe Scooters and eco-friendly vehicles

The debate on suitable insurance for new mobility modes remains relevant, especially to guarantee effective coverage for vulnerable users. It is important to recall the essential contributions of insurance in risk management, as discussed in this article on auto insurance.

Collaboration between public, private, and organizational sectors, including the Association of Road Users, already appears established for the development of Safe Roads adapted to the contemporary challenges of sustainable mobility.

FAQ on Road Safety in 2024: Numbers, Causes, and Responsibilities

• ❓ Why is there an increase in pedestrian deaths in 2024?
  This increase results from a combination of factors, including the growing coexistence with various modes of transportation, sometimes inadequate infrastructure, and inattentive or dangerous behaviors from both drivers and pedestrians.
• ❓ What are the main causes of accidents involving motorized two-wheelers?
  Not wearing helmets, speeding, insufficient infrastructure, and visibility issues are among the most frequently recorded causes in accidents involving this user type.
• ❓ How can the safety of electric scooter users be improved?
  It is essential to establish strict regulations for the use of these devices, promote helmet wearing, improve user training, and adapt urban infrastructure to ensure safe zones.
• ❓ What role does road prevention play in reducing accidents?
  Prevention relies on raising public awareness of risks, training users, implementing targeted campaigns, and collaborating with associations and professionals in safety to encourage responsible driving.
• ❓ Why is driver responsibility crucial?
  Because it helps establish a climate of trust on the roads, necessary for harmonious coexistence among users, ensuring rule compliance and considering the vulnerability of pedestrians, cyclists, and MPD users.