According to the Council of Bureaux (COB),
road deaths are not evenly distributed across different demographic groups.
Data analysed by COB shows significant differences in road-fatality risks
depending on sex, age and mode of transport.
Men account for the clear majority of road deaths, representing 77% of fatalities on EU roads in 2023. The gender gap is particularly pronounced among powered two-wheeler users, with men accounting for 91% of moped fatalities and 94% of motorcycle fatalities.
Age also plays an important role. Younger people are particularly vulnerable in certain motor-vehicle crashes, while people aged 65 and over represent a significant share of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. In 2023, seniors accounted for 51% of pedestrian deaths and half of all cyclist fatalities in the EU.
COB also highlights differences between modes of transport. While car-occupant and pedestrian fatalities have declined over the past decade, cyclist and motorcycle deaths have shown considerably less improvement. Socioeconomic conditions can further influence road-safety risks, with people living in deprived areas potentially facing greater exposure to unsafe infrastructure and traffic conditions.
COB stresses that overall fatality figures can conceal very different risk profiles among road users. Effective road-safety policies therefore require targeted and nuanced measures that reflect the specific risks faced by different demographic and road-user groups.