Road traffic accidents involving personal injury, December 2005

A total of 258 road traffic accidents involving lorries were reported to the Norwegian police in 2005, a decrease from 269 accidents in 2004. The annual average for the period 2001-2005 was 263.

More fatalities, fewer injuries

A total of 34 people were killed and 360 were injured in accidents involving lorries in 2005, while the corresponding figures for 2004 were 23 and 373 respectively. The annual averages for the five-year period 2001-2005 were 31 and 356, which is 11.5 per cent of the total number of people killed and 3 per cent of the total number of people injured on Norwegian roads every year.

Among the 34 people killed in accidents involving lorries in 2005, 26 were drivers of cars, six were car passengers and two were motorcyclists. 43 of the 360 people who were injured were seriously injured, while 304 people were slightly injured. For the remaining 13 people, the degree of injury was not stated.

Many head-on accidents

A total of 90 of the 258 lorry accidents last year were head-on accidents with other vehicles, which is a share of 35 per cent of all accidents involving lorries. Looking at the total number of road traffic accidents in 2005, head-on accidents accounted for only 13.8 per cent of the accidents. 22 people were killed and 121 were injured in head-on accidents with lorries on Norwegian roads in 2005.

More running off the road accidents

There were 60 so-called single accidents involving lorries in 2005, i.e. accidents in which other vehicles were not involved. 57 of such accidents were caused by single vehicles running off the road. This is also a slight increase compared last year. Eight people were killed and 64 were injured in accidents involving single lorries running off the road in 2005.

Accidents peaked in January and November

There were 28 accidents involving lorries in January and November, the highest number of accidents in any single month of 2005. The number of people killed in such accidents peaked in July, more exactly five 5 people.

The statistics includes accidents reported to the police. Less severe accidents and injuries are therefore under-represented in the figures.

Police figures

The statistics are compiled from returns made by police authorities. Less severe accidents and injuries are therefore under-represented in the figures.

Tables:

• Table 1 Accidents involving lorries. Persons killed or injured by degree of injury. 1996-2005
• Table 2 Accidents involving lorries. Number of traffic units involved and persons killed or injured. 2002-2005
• Table 3 Accidents involving lorries. Persons killed or injured, by county. 2002-2005
• Table 4 Accidents involing lorries. Persons killed or injured, by month. 2002-2005
• Table 5 Accidents involving lorries. Persons killed or injured, by type of accident. 2002-2005