Highway death toll falls

Fewer people died on Swiss highways in 2009 compared to the previous year, the federal statistics department said on Friday.

A total of 349 people fell victim to traffic accidents last year, eight fewer than in 2008, the department said.

While fatal car accidents declined, the death toll of motor cyclists doubled to 54, reflecting an ongoing trend of increased serious crashes involving the motorized two-wheelers.

The number of deaths involving drunk driving remained stable at 54, following a sharp downward trend begun in 2005 when the federal government introduced a 0.5 blood-alcohol limit for motorists.