Road Safety Country Profiles
Czech Republic 2023

Overview
In 2022, Czechia reported 527 road deaths, a reduction of 14.6% compared to the average 201719. In January 2021, the Government adopted the Road Safety Strategy 2021-30. The main target
is to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 compared to the averagefor 2017-19.
Quick facts: Czechia (all data from 2022, unless otherwise stated)
Population

10.5 million

GDP per capita

USD 27 663
55 838 kmRoad network

Rural roads

Motorways

30%67%

2%

8.1 million

Total numberof motorvehicles
Volumetraffic

Urban roads

ofSpeed limits
Limits on blood
alcohol content

Cars

Motorcycles

Goods vehicles

Buses

75%

15%9%0.2%+45.3% (2000-22)
Urban roads

Rural roads

Motorways

50 km/h

90 km/h

130 km/h

0.0 grams/litre (g/l)
527Road fatalities

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Car occupants

Motorised twowheelers

Otherandunknown

16%

10%

53%

14%

7%

Road fatalities
per 100 000
population

5.0

Road fatalities
per 10 000
vehicles0.7

Cost of roadcrashes

1.9% of GDP

Short-term trends
Mobility and road safety in Czechia were significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic that hit
the world in 2020. Figure 1 illustrates the number of road deaths in 2020, 2021 and 2022 comparedto the linear trend before the pandemic. It shows that road death figures for 2020 and 2021 were
below the trend.
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mobility and road crashes, the data for 2020 and2021 represent a poor reference point for benchmarking. Therefore, for short-term trends, thisreport compares data for 2022 and 2021 with the average for 2017-19.
In 2022, Czechia recorded 527 road deaths, a decrease of 14.6% compared to the average in 201719 (Table 1).
Table 1. Road fatalities in Czechia, 2017-2022
20172018

2019

Average2017-19

2020

2021

2022

2022 compared withaverage 2017-19

January

34

44

30

36

38

28

34-5.6%

February

33

26

33

31

42

32

26-15.2%

March

37

35

44

39

35

33

44

13.8%

April

36

43

55

45

49

27

42-6.0%

May

46

64

47

52

37

49

49

-6.4%

June

71

51

66

63

49

51

57

-9.0%

July

53

65

63

60

4353

44

-27.1%

August

60

75

69

68

62

59

47

-30.9%

September

48

74

58

60

45

47

47-21.7%

October

56585356

4352

57

2.4%

November

47

66

5857

3645

44-22.8%

December

56

57

41

51

38

55

36-29.9%

Total

577

658

617

617

517

531

527

-14.6%

Road deaths among pedestrians recorded a reduction of 33.1%, while among occupants ofpassenger cars by 11.5%. The number of powered two-wheelers and cyclists killed decreased
respectively by 12.1% and 2.4%. Road deaths strongly decreased among young people aged 2124 (-43.1%) (Figure 2).
In 2022, Czechia had a mortality rate of 5.0 road deaths per 100 000 population. The fatality risk
was 0.7 road deaths per 10 000 registered vehicles and 9.9 road deaths per billion vehicle
kilometres (2021) (Figures 3, 4 and 5).
Figure 6 illustrates the breakdown of the fatalities by user category, and Figure 7 shows thebreakdown by type of road.

Figure 1. Road fatalities in Czechia in 2020, 2021 and 2022 compared to the linear trend
since 2012
750

700

650

600

550

531
517
2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Road deaths

2018

2019

2020

2021

527

2022

Trends 2012-2022

Figure 2. Evolution of road fatalities in Czechia by user category, age group and road type,2022 compared to the average 2017-19
200-20User category

Age group
Total number of road deaths

Road type

Motorw ays

Rural roads

Urban roads

75+

65-74

25-64

21-24

18-20

15-17

0-14

PTW

Passenger cars

Cyclists

Pedestrians-40

0Iceland

Colombia

Chile

Costa Rica*

SerbiaArgentina

United States*

Hungary

New Zealand

Korea

IsraelGreece*Belgium

Luxembourg

Canada*FrancePoland*1

Czechia

Lithuania

Netherlands

Italy

Australia

Slovenia

Austria

Germany

Spain

Denmark

United Kingdom

Finland

Sw itzerland

Japan

Sw edenColombia

Costa Rica

United States

Chile

Argentina

SerbiaNew Zealand

GreecePortugal

Luxembourg

Hungary

Italy

Korea

PolandCzechia

FranceCanada

Belgium

Lithuania

Australia

Netherlands

Austria

Slovenia

Spain

IsraelFinlandGermany

Ireland

Sw itzerland

United Kingdom

Denmark

JapanIceland

Sw edenNorw ay0

Norw ay

Figure 3. Road fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants in Czechia compared to other IRTAD
countries, 2022

1612854Figure 4. Road fatalities per 10 000 registered vehicles in Czechia compared to other IRTAD
countries, 2022
54320.7

Note: in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Hungary, registered vehicles do not include mopeds. * 2021 data.

0Czechia

PolandUnited States

Korea

New Zealand

Slovenia

IsraelFranceJapan

Austria

Netherlands

Finland

Australia

CanadaGermany

Great Britain

Ireland

Sw itzerland

Sw edenDenmark

Iceland

Norw ay

Figure 5. Road fatalities per billion vehicle-kilometres in Czechia compared to other IRTAD
countries, 2021
129.9

963

Figure 6. Road fatalities in Czechia by user category, 2022

Others incl. unknow n 7%
Pedestrians 16%

Cyclists 10%

Passenger car occupants 53%

Motorised tw o-w heelers 14%

Figure 7. Road fatalities in Czechia by road type, 2022

Motorw ays 6%

Urban roads 31%

Rural roads 63%

Figure 8. Road fatality rate in Czechia by user category and age group, 2022
Rate per 100 000 population in the same age group
10.0

7.5

5.0

2.5

0.0

0-14

Pedestrians

15-17

Cyclists

18-20

21-24

Motorised tw o-w heelers

25-64

65-74

Passenger car occupants

75+

Other users incl. unknow

Road safety data 2012-22
Between 2012 and 2022, road deaths decreased by 29%. During the same period, traffic volume(in vehicle-kilometres) increased by 24.7% and the number of registered vehicles by 30.2% (Table2 and Figure 9).
The number of road deaths decreased for all road users: pedestrians (-47.9%), cyclists (-30.8%),
car occupants (-24.5%), and motorised two-wheelers (-19.4%) (Figure 10).
The number of road deaths decreased for all age categories except for the 65-74 and over 75 age
group, for which an increase of 1.2% and 2.7% was recorded. The young people experienced themost significant reduction: -53.6% for the 21-24, -52.9% for the 15-17 and -42.5% for the 18-20(Table 2 and Figure 10).
Road mortality decreased on urban and rural roads, with the strongest decrease on urban roads(-39.2%). Road deaths were only reduced by 26.7% on rural roads (Figure 10). Road deaths on
motorways increased by 50%.

Table 2. Crash, casualty and traffic data in Czechia, 2012-22
20122020

2021

Evolution
2012-222022

Reported safety data
Fatalities

742

517

531

527

-29.0%

20 50318 41918 156

19 736-3.7%

Deaths per 100 000 population

7.1

4.8

5.0

5.0

-29.1%

Deaths per 10 000 registered vehicles

1.2

0.7

0.7

0.7-45.5%

Deaths per billion vehicle-kilometres

15.7

9.9

9.9

9.0-43.0%

Pedestrians

16395

104

85-47.9%

Cyclists

78

51

63

54-30.8%

Motorised two-wheelers

93

62

89

75

-19.4%

Passenger car occupants

368

268

244

278

-24.5%

Other road users

40

41

31

35-12.5%

0-14 years

15111313-13.3%

15-17 years

173

78-52.9%

18-20 years

40

25

27

23-42.5%

21-24 years

56

30

27

26-53.6%

25-64 years

455

311

305

294-35.4%

65-74 years835966

841.2%≥ 75 years

7475

82762.7%

Urban roads

265

151

185

161

-39.2%

Rural roads

455

331

323

333

-26.8%

Motorways

2235

23

33

50.0%

Vehicle kilometres (million)

47 17452 28053 74258 818

24.7%

Registered vehicles (thousands)

6 205

7 863

8 026

8 090

30.4%

Registered vehicles per 1 000 population

590.6

735.3

750.0

769.3

30.2%

Injury crashes

Fatalities by road user

Fatalities by age group

Fatalities by road type

Traffic data

Figure 9. Evolution of road fatalities, motorisation, traffic and GDP in Czechia, 2012-22
Index 2012 = 100120100802012

2013

2014

Fatalities

20152016

2017

Injury crashes

2018

Motor vehicles

2019

2020

Vehicle-km

2021

2022

GDP

Figure 10. Evolution of road fatalities in Czechia by user category, age group and roadtype, 2012-2022
50

25

0-25

User category

Age group
Total number of road deaths

Road type

Motorw ays

Rural roads

Urban roads

75+

65-74

25-64

21-24

18-20

15-17

0-14

PTW

Passenger cars

Cyclists

Pedestrians-50

Safety performance indicators
Speed
Speed continues to be the main contributing factor in fatal crashes. The share of fatal crashes
due to excessive speed was measured at 33% in 1980, 40% in 2000, 36% in 2015 and 40% in 2022.
Average speed, the 85th percentile speed and the percentage of drivers above the speed limit
have been monitored regularly since 2005. Introducing a demerit point system in 2006 reduced
the number of drivers above the limit, but this share increased again after 2012. It is estimatedthat 6% of drivers in urban areas and 14% in rural areas exceeded the speed limit by more than
10 km/h in 2022 (the 85th percentile speed is 56 km/h in urban areas and 102 km/h in rural areas).
Table 3 summarises the main speed limits for passenger cars in Czechia.
Table 3. Passenger car speed limits by road type in Czechia, 2023
General speed limit
Urban roads

50 km/hRural roads

90 km/hMotorways

130 km/h

Drink driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is another major cause of road crashes. In 2022, 9.7% ofroad fatalities resulted from alcohol-related crashes. This share was 11.0% in 2002. It decreased
to 3.4% in 2007 but then increased again.
There is a zero BAC limit in Czechia. When the police arrive at the crash scene, all persons involved
are checked for BAC. If the BAC level of anyone involved is positive, the crash is classified as
alcohol-related.

Drugs and driving
The share of fatal crashes due to a driver under the influence of drugs was estimated at 5.8% in
2022. A crash is defined as drug-related if the driver tests positive for drug consumption.

Use of mobile phones while driving
An increasing problem for traffic safety in Czechia is distraction, for instance, using mobile phones
while driving. Drivers are not allowed to drive while using a hand-held phone or other electronic
devices. Hands-free devices are tolerated. In 2022, it was estimated that 2% of drivers used amobile phone while driving.

Fatigue
The share of sleepiness and fatigue as a causal factor in crashes is especially challenging todetect. In 2022, it was estimated that about 2% of crashes were due to fatigue.

Seat belt and helmet use
Seat belt use has been compulsory in front seats since 1966 and in rear seats since 1975. However,until recently, the level of enforcement was very low. The situation has significantly improved
since 2004. In 2022, 25% of car occupants killed were not wearing a seat belt when the crashoccurred. It is estimated that 80 lives could have been saved if all car occupants had worn seatbelts. Dedicated child restraints are compulsory for children aged 0-3 and 4+ who are less than150 cm in height or 36 kg in weight.
Helmet wearing is compulsory for all motorcycle and moped riders. In 2022, the wearing rate was99%.
Safety helmets were made mandatory for cyclists up to 15 in 2001 and 18 in 2006. A total of 303
cyclists who did not wear helmets died in traffic crashes between 2017 and 2023. Based on
estimates from the Ministry of Transport, 68 individuals, up to 37% of the total, might still be alive
today if they had been wearing helmets.
Table 4. Seat belt and helmet wearing rates in Czechia
Percentages
2000

2010

2022

General (driver and passenger)

63

..

..

Driver..

97

92

Passenger

..

96

93

General60

7992

Front seats

Rear seats

Cost of road crashes
Economic costs engendered by road crashes are evaluated using the human capital approach.
They are composed of direct expenses (i.e. medical care, rescue service, police and justice) andindirect costs (i.e. the lost value of economic productivity due to ill health, disability, or premature
mortality and social expenses).
The economic costs of crashes for Czechia are published every year. For 2022, they were
estimated at EUR 5.1 billion (1.9% of GDP).

Table 5. Cost of road crashes in Czechia, 2022
Unit Cost (EUR)

Total cost (EUR)

2 603 000

1 372 million

Hospitalised

540 000

908 million

Slight injuries

26 000573 million

Property damage costs of non-injury crashes

20 0002 281 million

Total..

5.1 billion

Total as % of GDP..

1.9 %Fatalities

Road safety management and strategy
Evolution of road safety
In recent decades, several factors have influenced Czechia's road safety performance. Fatalities
reached a peak in 1969 and then steadily decreased until 1986. Due to a rapid deterioration inroad safety, deaths increased by 82% between 1986 and 1994. This was during a period ofsignificant political change in Czechia and other neighbouring Eastern European countries
following the fall of the Soviet bloc. During this period, the number of motorised vehicles
increased sharply in the context of weak police control and insufficient political attention to roadsafety. This trend subsequently reversed, and between 1990 and 2020, road deaths dropped by65%. These positive results are the fruit of successive national strategic safety plans.

Governance of road safety
The primary responsibility for road safety organisation lies with BESIP (Bezpečnost silničního
provozu), an independent department of the Ministry of Transport. BESIP is responsible for theNational Road Strategy for 2020-30. The other key player is the Government Council of Road
Traffic Safety, which comprises parliament representatives, ministries, civil associations,professional organisations, and the private sector. There are also 14 regional BESIP co-ordinators.

Road safety strategy
In January 2021, the Government of Czechia adopted the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The
main target is to halve the number of fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 compared to theaverage for 2017-19. The basic philosophy of the Strategy is the confirmation of Vision Zero, which
considers it unacceptable that a fatality or serious injury occurs in traffic. To fulfil the vision's
target, it is necessary to design a safe system that includes road users, vehicles, and transport
infrastructure. The basic pillars of this strategy are road users' behaviour, safe vehicles, and safe
infrastructure.
Between 2011 and 2022, there has been a fall in road fatalities in Czechia, and road safety has
improved over the last decade. The Supreme Office Audit of Czechia reported that the number offatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes has decreased by 35.8% and 43.9%, respectively.

However, one of the primary strategic goals—to cut the death toll in half relative to the baseline
period—has not been achieved.

Latest road safety measures
In 2022, the Road Traffic Act was updated. It modified the point system and increased thepenalties for the most serious offences.
Since 2022, young people can start driving at 17 if supervised by a parent.

Research and resources
Publications
Recent research projects of the Transport Research Centre (CDV) have focused on:•electromobility problems (cars, bicycles, scooters)•

autonomous vehicles problems•

traffic crash costs analysis•

KPI studies•

in-depth crash analysis•

road infrastructure assessment•

improving safety at railway crossings•

prediction models of crashes•

human factor analysis.

Websites
CDV, Transport Research Centre: https://www.cdv.cz/en/
Ministry of Transport: https://www.mdcr.cz/?lang=en-GB
Police of Czechia: https://www.policie.cz/clanek/Police-of-the-CzechRepublic.aspx
Road safety observatory: https://www.czrso.cz/
In-depth crash analysis: https://www.vyzkumnehod.cz/en/
Road traffic infrastructure improvement: https://veobez.cdvinfo.cz/

Definition, methodology, data collection
TermDefinition

Road deatha person who dies immediately or within 30 days of a crash. This is used forinternational data comparisons, but for domestic purposes, a road fatality
often refers to a person who dies immediately or within 24 hours.

Person seriously injured

Any injured person with an injury that causes serious harm to the victim'shealth.

Currently, the severity value of 3+ on the Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) is not usedin crash registration.
However, a new system of crash registration will be implemented to record MAIS 3+ injuries. In2019, discussions between the Ministry of Transport and hospitals occurred concerning thetransfer of data on traffic injuries and fatalities from hospitals to the police.
Crash data in Czechia are collected by the traffic police in 80 districts and transferred to the police
headquarters. Data is checked both at district and central levels.
Crash reporting rates in the police database are relatively high due to the legal obligation since2009 that all crashes with death, injury or material damage over CZK 100 000 must be reported toand registered by the police.

About the IRTAD Database
The IRTAD Database includes road safety data, aggregated by country and year from 1970
onwards. It provides an empirical basis for international comparisons and more effective roadsafety policies.
The IRTAD Group validates data for quality before inclusion in the database. At present, thedatabase includes validated data from 35 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium,Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United
Kingdom and the United States.
The data is provided in a common format based on definitions developed and agreed by the
IRTAD Group. Selected data is available for free; full online access requires IRTAD membership.
Access the IRTAD Database via the OECD statistics portal:
https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=IRTAD_CASUAL_BY_AGE

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countries that organises global dialogue for better transport. It acts as a think tank for transport
policy and hosts the Annual Summit of transport ministers. The ITF is the only global body thatcovers all transport modes. The ITF is administratively integrated with the OECD, yet politicallyautonomous.
www.itf-oecd.org

About the IRTAD GroupThe International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis (IRTAD) Group is the ITF's permanent working
group for road safety. It brings together road safety experts from national road administrations,road safety research institutes, international organisations, automobile associations, insurancecompanies, car manufacturers, etc. With 80 members and observers from more than 40
countries, the IRTAD Group is a central force in promoting international co-operation on roadcrash data and its analysis.
www.itf-oecd.org/irtad

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official
views of International Transport Forum member countries. This document and any map included
herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitationof international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
Data in this country profile have been provided by countries to the database of the International
Traffic Safety Data and Analysis (IRTAD) Group. Where data has not been independently validatedby IRTAD, this is indicated.
Read more country profiles online:
https://www.itf-oecd.org/road-safety-annual-report-2023
Last updated: 15 February 2024

© OECD/ITF 2024

Cite this work as: ITF (2024), "Czechia: Road Safety Country Profile 2023", OECD Publishing, Paris.

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