Over 450 people died on Czech roads in 2023, which is the second lowest road death toll since 1961, when police started keeping track, according to data released on Friday.

Traffic police registered 94,945 accidents last year, 3,515 fewer than in 2022.

A new road law which took effect with the start of the New Year, aims to improve the record further, by imposing much higher penalties for the most serious transgressions which often result in fatal accidents, such as speeding, drink-driving, and using a hand-held mobile.

The number of injured people rose by 1,501 year-on-year, to 25,687. The amount of material damage also increased, reaching almost CZK 7.7 billion.

The most deadly month in 2023 was June when 51 people died on the roads. February, November, and December had the lowest number of fatalities, with 27 people killed in collisions each.

Among the main causes of fatal crashes were driving into oncoming traffic or not adjusting speed to road conditions.

The higher number of deaths in the winter months was related to reduced visibility. One-third of these victims were not typical pedestrians, but people who, for example, got out of their car onto the road, were lying on the road and were run over, or were crossing the motorway.

The death toll of pedestrians was lowest in June and July.

Last year, 39 cyclists and 70 motorcycle drivers died on the roads.

The region with the most traffic accidents with consequences for life and health was Central Bohemia (80) in 2023. On the contrary, only 15 such accidents occurred in the Karlovy Vary Region.