More traffic deaths in 2022, particularly among cyclists over 75

An ambulance drives away, a damaged bike lies in the grass.
© ANP / Inter Visual Studio
In 2022, a total of 737 people in the Netherlands were killed in a traffic accident. This is 155 more than in 2021 and the highest number of traffic deaths since 2008. The sharpest rise in traffic fatalities was seen among cyclists aged 75 years and over. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of the latest figures.

Last year, the number of road traffic fatalities was nearly 27 percent higher than in 2021. Just as in previous years, there were more male (522) than female victims (215).

Road traffic fatalities
JaarTotalMenWomen
20001166861305
20011083816267
20021066790276
20031088804284
2004881630251
2005817594223
2006811576235
2007791574217
2008750552198
2009720524196
2010640475165
2011661477184
2012650479171
2013570419151
2014570411159
2015621458163
2016629458171
2017613453160
2018678485193
2019661465196
2020610453157
2021582427155
2022*737522215
* Provisional figures

Highest cyclist death toll in 27 years

In 2022, traffic accidents killed 291 cyclists. This is 84 more than in the previous year and the highest number of cycling deaths since 1996 (when registration started). In addition, 225 passenger car occupants were killed, i.e. 50 more than in 2021.

Road traffic fatalities by mode of transport
JaarBicyclePassenger car
1996239609
1997264591
1998212603
1999227587
2000233543
2001225504
2002195503
2003219496
2004180420
2005181356
2006216340
2007189317
2008181317
2009185296
2010162246
2011200231
2012200232
2013184193
2014185187
2015185224
2016189231
2017206201
2018228233
2019203237
2020229195
2021207175
2022*291225
* Provisional figures

Sharpest rise in road fatalities among over-75s

Traffic mortality rose most sharply among people aged 75 and over, by 59 percent relative to 2021. This is mainly due to more road fatalities among cyclists in this age group: 150 in 2022, up from 94 in the previous year. Traffic victims aged 50 years and over are relatively likely to be involved in a bicycle accident, while younger victims (under 50) are more likely to be killed in a car accident. In relative terms as well, the number of senior cyclists involved in a fatal road accident increased.

Road traffic fatalities by age and mode of transport, 2022*
LeeftijdUnder 25 yrs (%)25-49 yrs (%)50-74 yrs (%)75 yrs and over (%)
Total111148210268
Bicycle261897150
Passenger car48864348
* Provisional figures

More cycling fatalities due to collision

Of all cycling fatalities in 2022, almost half were caused by a collision with a van or passenger car. This concerned 141 cycling victims, 60 more than in 2021. There were also more cyclists who were killed in a crash with a lorry, bus or another vehicle. One quarter of all bicycle deaths were not due to a collision. These cyclists died after a fall, due to becoming unwell, wrong steering, bad road surface, slipperiness, or a foot between the spokes, among other things. Over two thirds of these victims were 70 years of age or older.

Cycling fatalities by type of collision
JaarCollision with passenger car/vanCollision with lorry/busCollision with another vehicleCollision with fixed objectNo collisionOther collision/unknown
2022*14128377735
20218124229710
* Provisional figures

Largest increase in traffic mortality recorded in Noord-Brabant

Noord-Brabant recorded 140 road fatalities, i.e. the highest number of all provinces and 49 more than in 2021. There were far fewer casualties in Drenthe, Overijssel and Zeeland, but the traffic death toll doubled compared to 2021. The province of Utrecht saw a decline, while in Flevoland the number was almost equal to 2021. The lowest number of road fatalities was recorded in Flevoland.

Road traffic fatalities by province
Provincie2022*2021
Noord-Brabant14091
Zuid-Holland11094
Gelderland10394
Noord-Holland9388
Overijssel6334
Limburg5441
Utrecht4247
Drenthe3820
Fryslân3024
Groningen2621
Zeeland2211
Flevoland1617
* Provisional figures