According to the most recent figures published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), last year the Netherlands recorded 737 road fatalities - the highest number the country has seen in 14 years. 

CBS: 737 people died in traffic accidents in 2022

CBS reports that in 2022, 737 people died in or as a result of a traffic accident, an increase of 27 percent compared to one year earlier. This marks a notable increase compared to 2021, when the country recorded 582 deaths.

The most recent figures from CBS are even higher than those reported by De Telegraaf in January, although do confirm that the country saw a significant increase in fatal traffic accidents last year.

The province of North Brabant recorded the highest number of fatalities - 140 in 2022, compared to 91 in 2021 - followed by South Holland (110) and Gelderland (103). Meanwhile, out of the 12 provinces, Zeeland and Flevoland recorded the fewest (22 and 16 respectively). 

Large number of fatalities were among cyclists aged 75 and above

A total of 291 cyclists died in road accidents last year - an increase of 84 compared to 2021 and the highest number the Netherlands has seen since records began in 1996. 225 passengers in cars or drivers were killed in traffic accidents in 2022, 50 more than in 2021. Other fatalities occurred among pedestrians and motorcyclists.

CBS notes that the number of fatalities increased the most among road users over the age of 75, specifically cyclists; 150 people in this age group were killed in 2022, an increase of 94 compared to 2021. 

According to the Dutch statistics office, “nearly half of all cyclists who died in 2022 were killed in a collision with a (delivery) car,” while “a quarter of all bicycle deaths were crashes without a collision.” These fatalities were instead caused by bad falls due to, for example, slippery or uneven roads.

Thumb: Ronald Wilfred Jansen via Shutterstock.com.