The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) revealed this month some data regarding inspections and contraventions, and the report shows some aspects that stood out in 2023.

According to the document, there was an increase in accidents involving motorcycles – in total, 8,936 accidents were recorded, 25.8% more than in 2019 and 16.4% more than in 2022.

Accidents with bicycles, which include bicycles and scooters, also increased by 38.2% compared to 2019 and 8.1% compared to 2022, with 3,239 accidents with this type of vehicle having occurred in 2023, while in 2022 there were 2,995 and in 2019 2,344.

In the report, the ANSR makes a comparison with 2019, taking into account that this is the reference year for monitoring the targets for reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries by 2030 set by the European Commission and Portugal.

In order to understand this phenomenon, Notícias ao Minuto spoke with Rosário Lima, Chief Claims Officer of Zurich Portugal, who began by emphasising that this increase is a "trend that concerns everyone", and explained: "The increase in accidents with bicycles, scooters and mopeds is a trend that results from the increase in users of these vehicles to respond to issues of sustainability and costs. The use of so-called green vehicles – with lower pollution rates and lower financial requirements for their users – has increased their use, especially among the younger population".

But, on the one hand, "these vehicles are in fact a more economical alternative to motor vehicles", offering greater mobility and reducing traffic and costs, on the other hand, "they constitute a greater risk in terms of frequency and severity of bodily injuries".

The risks and possible solutions

According to the specialist, the lack of infrastructure "appropriate to this new reality of road coexistence" constitutes a major challenge for users. Another one of the "real challenges" is also the absence "of cycle paths and exclusive traffic lanes – which, when they exist, have poorly legible signs". The risk of these accidents is also increasing due to the lack of road culture of some drivers. "The lack of road culture of some of these drivers, not always legally qualified to drive this type of vehicle, and the less conscious driving of other drivers, who share the public road, exponentially increases the risk of accidents with these vehicles", she explains.

Rosário Lima also adds that in terms of the extent of physical damage, the use of preventive measures also has a great impact. "On the one hand, the helmet is still not generally used in Portugal by cyclists and scooter users and there is a clear relationship between its absence and fatal accidents", she points out.

But the Chief Claims Officer of Zurich Portugal also states that with regard to minimising the severity of these accidents, there are still other aspects – which could involve "promoting civic and compliant road behaviour and the need for cyclists to have knowledge of the highway code, in the same way that this obligation exists for other drivers".

The targets until 2030

Regarding the targets established in the European area, the specialist states that there have been improvements, although insufficient. "Portugal has been referred to as a country where the levels of accidents are very worrying compared to other countries in Europe and it is commonly referred to as a country in Europe where 'people drive badly'. We have been improving our mortality rates and other indicators related to the frequency of accidents, which demonstrate that there is a path that is being taken, but we are still far from countries that have much better levels of safety and accidents", she argued.

Despite the improvements that have been implemented in recent years – such as awareness campaigns, within the preventive scope, or the improvement of the road network in general – the numbers show that this is not enough. "We have a long way to go in terms of preventing and punishing some road crimes with heavier penalties, similar to the legislation in force in other countries", she says.

Awareness

But if awareness on the part of the competent authorities "must constitute an important part" in the strategy to reduce road accidents, this "is not enough". "Society itself has to react as a whole. We, insurers, are also an important part of this reality, due to the knowledge we have. We must, therefore, have a conscious intervention with our policyholders and society in general, warning about these risks, advising and raising awareness about safety rules, while at the same time rewarding good drivers in the risk assessment", she considered.

Emphasising that insurers have information about the types, most common injuries or locations of accidents, Rosário Lima does not forget the social impact of this reality. "Accidents irremediably change the lives of so many families. Preventing accidents requires continuous collaboration efforts between all the parties involved, to make our roads safer for everyone", she concludes.

Leia Também: Acidentes com motas, bicicletas e trotinetes aumentam em 2023 (Portuguese version)