The number of accidents involving the most vulnerable road users continues to rise, as do the most frequent errors, such as driver distraction, failure to give way and speeding (40.8% overall). This is the picture that emerged from the ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics) report on road accidents in 2017.

Last year, the number of pedestrian fatalities rose by 5.3% compared with the previous year, a total of 600 people involved, and the statistics show a substantial increase in the number of motorcyclist fatalities (735, +11.9%). On the other hand, the figures for motorists were stable (1,464, -0.4%) and those for mopeds (92, -20.7%) and cyclists (254, -7.6%) were down.

While the urgent need to protect vulnerable road users remains, there is an equally urgent need to introduce monitoring and training measures to counter a critical worldwide trend.

The added safety provided by the application of advanced technology to urban and non-urban road traffic control and the strengthening of a valid road safety culture, especially among young people, are increasingly seen as essential tools for achieving national safety objectives.