In 2024, 477 people died on Portuguese roads, representing a decrease compared to 2019, the year set by the European Commission as the benchmark for assessing road safety trends throughout this decade, according to data from the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR).
The 2023 Annual Report on 24-hour Road Accidents and Traffic Enforcement, released this Friday by ANSR, stated that last year, there were 38,037 accidents with victims, resulting in 477 fatalities, 2,756 serious injuries, and 44,618 minor injuries in mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions.
Compared to 2019—a reference year for monitoring the targets for reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries by 2030 set by the European Commission and Portugal—there were 43 fewer fatalities, reflecting a decrease of 8.3%, and a reduction in minor injuries by 0.7%.
However, there were 786 more accidents, an increase of 21%, and 244 more serious injuries, marking an 8.8% rise.
Fewer Deaths but More Accidents and Serious Injuries Compared to Last Year (in Mainland)
Focusing on the mainland alone, last year saw 36,338 accidents with victims, resulting in 463 fatalities, 2,576 serious injuries, and 42,683 minor injuries.
Compared to the previous year, these figures show a reduction of four fatalities (-0.9%) and a 4.6% decrease in the severity index, which fell from 1.34 to 1.27.
Nonetheless, there were 1,364 more accidents, increasing by 3.9%, 139 more serious injuries, up by 5.7%, and 1,625 more minor injuries, a rise of 4.0%.
And Compared to 2014 (10 Years)?
Comparing with 2014, ANSR reveals that the upward trend was evident in accidents, serious injuries, and minor injuries. There were 5,734 more accidents (+18.7%), 424 more serious injuries (+19.7%), and 5,664 more minor injuries (+15.3%).
However, there was a decrease in fatalities, with 19 fewer deaths (-3.9%), and also in the severity index (number of deaths per 100 accidents with victims) of 19.1%, from 1.57 to 1.27.
Fewer Deaths Also Compared to 2019
The data also indicate that, compared to 2019, there were declines in fatalities and minor injuries, with 11 fewer fatalities (-2.3%) and 519 fewer minor injuries (-1.2%).
But the same did not happen with serious injuries and accidents—which increased. There were 275 more serious injuries (+12.0%) and 634 more accidents (+1.8%).
The severity index recorded a decrease of 4.0%, from 1.33 to 1.27.
Collision Was More Frequent. Increase in Deaths Within Localities
Regarding the nature of the accident, collisions were the most frequent in 2024, accounting for 53.6% of accidents, 41.5% of fatalities, and 46.6% of serious injuries. Off-road accidents, which represented 33.0% of the total accidents, were responsible for 44.3% of fatalities.
Additionally, the number of fatalities within localities (253) was higher than those outside localities (210). The report indicates that compared to 2019 and 2023, last year saw an increase in fatalities within localities (+11.9% and +14.5%, respectively), contrasting with the decreasing trend outside localities (-15.3% compared to 2019 and -14.6% compared to 2023).
The report also notes that in 2024, 62.6% of accidents occurred on local roads, representing 32.4% of fatalities (-4.5% and +11.1% in relation to 2019 and 2023, respectively) and 46.0% of serious injuries.
On national roads, 19.9% of accidents occurred, with 36.5% of fatalities (+19.0% and +9.0% compared to 2019 and 2023, respectively) and 30.2% of serious injuries.
On motorways, there was a reduction of 15 fatalities and 23 serious injuries compared to 2019. In relation to 2023, there were two fewer fatalities, with the number of serious injuries remaining the same.
More than Half of the Victims Were Drivers
In terms of user category, and considering the fatalities, 73.2% of the total were drivers, while 14.9% were pedestrians, and 11.9% were passengers.
[Updated at 09:17]
