View statistics on serious traffic injuries in Sweden (2019–2023).
Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people sustain minor injuries, around 1,500 to 2,000 are seriously injured, and 200 to 250 people die in traffic accidents in Sweden each year.
The statistics on seriously injured individuals in traffic accidents show how many people suffer severe injuries due to road crashes. Below are the most recent figures for the years 2019 to 2024. Please note that the 2024 data is preliminary.
In 2023, there was a significant increase in the number of seriously injured individuals in traffic accidents compared to previous years. This increase is primarily due to the introduction of the Strada Law, which came into effect in 2021. This law requires all emergency hospitals to report patients who have sought medical care following a traffic accident, leading to more comprehensive injury registration. This change explains the significant rise in reported serious injuries in the statistics.
A large portion of the increase involved cyclists, who accounted for nearly 60% of all seriously injured individuals. Many of these injuries occurred in single-vehicle accidents, which rarely result in fatalities but often lead to severe injuries.
According to preliminary figures, the number of seriously injured individuals in traffic accidents decreased to approximately 1,578 in 2024. This decrease may be partially attributed to reporting routines stabilizing after the first years of the Strada Law. However, it could also indicate an actual improvement in traffic safety.
Differences in statistics may be due to how “seriously injured” is defined and which sources (police or healthcare) report the accidents. The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen), and the Swedish Transport Analysis (Trafikanalys) work together to provide the most reliable traffic accident statistics.
By understanding how many people are seriously injured or killed in traffic accidents, we can all contribute to improving road safety and increase the chances of achieving Sweden’s Vision Zero goal.
Want to learn more about the number of traffic fatalities over the years? See the latest statistics here
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