Number of fatalities with heavy motorcycles more than doubles

Twenty-seven persons were killed in motorcycle accidents in Norway in 1997. This more than double the number compared to the previous year, when 11 persons were killed. Altogether 303 persons lost their lives in traffic accidents last year.

The number of motorcycle accident fatalities last year is above the average for 1992-1996, which is 15. Eleven of last year's 27 fatalities were between 25 and 29 years of age.

Altogether 653 motorcyclists were injured in 1997. This is an increase of slightly more than eight per cent compared to the figure for 1996. On the other hand, there were only small changes in the injury statistics for light motorcycles last year, compared to earlier years.

Rapid rise in motorcycle registrations

The number of motorcycle accident fatalities and injuries must be viewed against the rapid increase in motorcycle ownership. From 1996 to 1997 the number of registered motorcycles increased by 20 per cent, and since 1992 there has been an increase of nearly 100 per cent. In 1988, 19 persons were killed or injured per 1,000 registered motorcycles. The figure for 1997 is 12 persons. There are no calculations of the accident risk per kilometres driven with motorcycles.

Several killed in traffic

Three hundred and three people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 1997. This is 48 more than in 1996 and 13 more than the average for 1992-1996. The number of persons killed in 1996 was, however, the lowest since 1955.

The number of 50-54-year-olds killed surged from 11 in 1996 to 28 in 1997. The average figure for 1992-1996 was 12 killed. Of the 28 fatalities last year, 18 were motorists. On the other hand there was a decline in fatalities among persons aged 70-74, from 33 in 1996 to 18 in 1997. Of the 19 children under the age of 15 who lost their lives last year, eight were passengers in cars, two were cyclists, eight were pedestrians/sledders and one was listed under other road users.

New Statistics

Road traffic accidents involving personal injury, 1997.
The statistics are published every month in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics and annually in Official Statistics of Norway (NOS) Road Traffic Accidents. For more information, contact: aud-marit.beck@ssb.no, tel. 62 88 54 20, or asbjorn.willy.wethal@ssb.no, tel. +62 88 54 15.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 20, 1998