Traffic Deaths in Austria in the First Half of 2026: VCÖ Figures and Demands

Regional Distribution and Hotspots

In a comparison of the federal states, Lower Austria recorded by far the most traffic deaths at 56, the VCÖ reported. In Upper Austria, 29 people died in traffic accidents, 26 in Styria, and 15 in Salzburg.

A detailed analysis of fatal accidents in the first four months of this year shows, according to the VCÖ, that 59 percent of traffic deaths occurred on rural roads. "Besonders großen Handlungsbedarf gibt es auf den Freilandstraßen, wo die meisten tödlichen Verkehrsunfälle passieren," Schenk said.

At over 40 percent, car occupants continue to make up the largest group of those killed. The number of fatalities involving people on motorcycles remained at a similar level to the previous year, at just under 20 percent.

Risk Groups and Age Structure

There was a positive trend among cyclists: After 30 deaths in the first half of 2025, 18 people have lost their lives so far this year. That is 50 percent fewer than the annual average for the period from 2017 to 2019.

The increase in the age group 85 and older is particularly striking: 16 people in this group had already died in traffic accidents in the first half of 2026, compared with four in the same period of 2025. "Im Ortsgebiet sind Kinder und ältere Menschen unterwegs," Schenk emphasized, referring to the risk groups.

According to the ÖAMTC, with 27 fatalities, 15- to 24-year-olds recorded the highest number of victims of any age group, nearly double the previous year's figure. Last year, the total number of traffic deaths rose by around 15 percent to 402.

VCÖ Demands

The VCÖ recalled Austria's road safety target for the year 2030 – by then, fewer than 207 women, men, and children should die on the roads. The organization is calling for 30 km/h instead of 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h instead of 100 km/h on rural roads.

"Dieses Ziel ist nur erreichbar, wenn verstärkte Maßnahmen gegen die Hauptunfallursachen Ablenkung und zu hohe Geschwindigkeit umgesetzt werden," Schenk said. "Werden Tempolimits missachtet, werden Gesundheit und Leben anderer gefährdet," the VCÖ expert stressed.