Luxembourg experienced a 31% fall in the number of deaths caused by road accidents in 2024 compared to 2023. But the Ministry of Mobility warned that pedestrians and cyclists remain particularly vulnerable on the Grand Duchy’s roads.

Accidents resulted in 18 deaths last year, compared to 26 in 2023. In 2014, the figure was as high as 35. The latest statistics show that Luxembourg has the fourth fewest number of road deaths per million residents in the EU, behind Sweden, Malta and Denmark.

The number of fatal accidents fell by 25%.

While the number of deaths is declining, the number of accidents that resulted in serious injuries had risen by 30% over the last ten years. However, the number of people that sustained serious injuries on the road fell to 308 in 2024, a decrease of 11% compared to the previous year, suggesting that car safety is improving.

But the ministry reported that three pedestrians were killed in accidents and 41 were seriously injured in 2024. That is a drop from the high of 53 deaths and injuries to pedestrians in 2023, but still the second most since 2016.

While there were no fatalities among cyclists, there were 43 serious injuries, involving both conventional and electric bicycles, which is a record for the last ten years.

Excessive speeding remains the leading cause of road accidents and was responsible for 27% of serious injuries and 44% of deaths in 2024.

Three fatal accidents and 34 serious accidents in 2024 were also attributed to drink-driving. Although the total number of fatal accidents has fallen slightly, alcohol continues to be one of the main causes of road accidents, the ministry said.

Bad weather, however, does not appear to be a cause of fatal or injury-causing accidents. According to the 2024 figures, which were compiled by Statec and the police, the summer was the season that experienced the most serious accidents, and winter had the lowest reported accidents.

Indeed, 61% of fatal accidents and 75% of road collisions that resulted in serious injury occurred when conditions were dry and sunny.

Young drivers under the age of 34 were also most likely to be involved in fatal and serious accidents, the report said. They accounted for 14 of the 24 fatal accidents in 2024.

“The decline in the number of deaths on our roads is a positive indicator,” said Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes (DP). “It shows that the measures taken in recent years in the area of road safety are bearing fruit: but every death is one too many, every accident is one too many!”

Backes said that government efforts to improve road safety, including her ministry’s National Road Safety Plan for 2024–2028, would continue.

“It is imperative that we continue to raise awareness, adapt our infrastructure and consolidate our fight against risky behaviour, whether it be speeding, drink-driving or distracted driving,” she concluded.