More road traffic deaths in 2025

© Tineke Dijkstra
  • In 2025, 759 people were killed in traffic accidents, 84 more than in 2024.
  • The largest number of road traffic fatalities were cyclists.
  • There was a particular increase in road traffic deaths among male cyclists aged 70 and over.

A total of 759 people were killed in road traffic accidents in 2025, 84 more than the previous year. Cyclists were the most likely to be victims (281), followed by people in passenger cars (228). Traffic mortality rose among men, but fell among women. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of the latest figures.

Road traffic deaths
JaarCyclistsPeople in passenger carsOther means of transportation
2000233543390
2001225504354
2002195503368
2003219496373
2004180420281
2005181356280
2006216340255
2007189317285
2008181317252
2009185296239
2010162246232
2011200231230
2012200232218
2013184193193
2014185187198
2015185224212
2016189231209
2017206201206
2018228233217
2019203237221
2020229195186
2021207175200
2022290221234
2023270194220
2024246220209
2025281228250

More men killed, fewer women

The number of men (575) killed in road traffic accidents was triple that of women (184) in 2025. Traffic mortality among men was 21 percent higher than in 2024, while among women, this was 8 percent lower.

Particularly more cyclists

In 2025, 281 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents, 35 more than in 2024. A further 228 people in passenger cars were killed, which was 8 more than in 2024. In addition, 59 pedestrians, 54 people on mobility scooters, 53 motorcyclists and 38 riders of mopeds and light mopeds died in road traffic accidents.

Compared to previous years, more occupants of delivery vans and trucks (40) were killed in 2025. Between 2020 and 2025, the number of fatalities fluctuated between 6 and 27, with an average of 17 per year.

Almost two-thirds of cyclist fatalities involve head injuries

At least 41 percent of cyclists who died were riding an electric bicycle. Eight riders of ‘fat bikes’ died in road traffic accidents. In 63 percent of cases involving cyclist fatalities, a head injury was the main cause of death.

Cyclist fatalities per 100 thousand inhabitants, 2025
Leeftijd2025 (Cyclist fatalities per 100 thousand inhabitants)
Men
0-9 yrs0.2
10-19 yrs1.1
20-29 yrs0.7
30-39 yrs0.5
40-49 yrs1.3
50-59 yrs1.6
60-69 yrs2.4
70-79 yrs7.0
80 yrs and over14.8
Women
0-9 yrs0.0
10-19 yrs0.6
20-29 yrs0.5
30-39 yrs0.0
40-49 yrs0.1
50-59 yrs0.5
60-69 yrs1.1
70-79 yrs2.6
80 yrs and over3.4

More road traffic fatalities among male cyclists aged 70 and over

The increase in the number of cyclists killed in traffic accidents was only among men aged 70 and over. In 2025, there were 118 deaths, 40 more than the previous year.
Per 100 thousand inhabitants, traffic mortality is highest among male cyclists aged 80 and over. In relative terms, the number of cyclists aged 70 and over who died in a road traffic accident has not risen over the past 25 years.

Cyclist fatalities 1)
JaarMen between 70 and 80 (per 100 thousand inhabitants)Men aged 80 yrs and over (per 100 thousand inhabitants)Women between 70 and 80 (per 100 thousand inhabitants)Women aged 80 yrs and over (per 100 thousand inhabitants)
20006.115.64.31.4
20017.415.02.91.3
20026.913.31.52.3
20036.716.23.32.2
20045.912.51.91.2
20056.910.72.32.2
20066.314.02.74.4
20076.216.42.72.4
20085.910.83.22.4
20096.512.42.02.8
20105.114.42.71.4
20115.819.82.63.0
20125.816.05.01.5
20136.811.32.63.3
20146.010.83.52.2
20154.514.53.22.6
20164.815.72.53.6
20175.816.22.03.3
20185.015.62.03.9
20195.211.43.63.7
20206.312.33.53.0
20215.014.61.63.5
20225.920.04.55.0
20236.213.32.75.7
20244.211.43.03.2
20257.014.82.63.4
1) adjusted for age structure of the population in 2025

4 in 10 cyclists died in collisions with cars

Between 2021 and 2025, an average of 42 percent of cyclists died in road traffic accidents due to a collision with a passenger car or delivery van. 31 percent died due to a fall or other type of accident that did not involve other road users or a fixed object, such as a bollard. Among cyclists aged 70 and over who died in accidents, 36 percent had not been involved in a collision.

45 percent of traffic deaths among passenger car occupants were caused by a collision with another passenger car, delivery van, truck or bus. In 38 percent of the cases, a collision with a fixed object was the cause of death.

In two-thirds of cases involving pedestrians killed in traffic, a car or delivery van was involved.