Compulsory bike helmets for children, the elderly and moped users are among the options which could reduce road traffic injuries, according to a report by the road safety scientific research foundation SWOV on Friday.

The report says unpopular measures are needed to make sure government targets for reducing traffic injuries are met by 2020.

The cabinet wants to cut the number of road deaths to 500 and serious injuries to 10,600 in five years’ time. The over-65s and youngsters aged 16 to 24 account for a disproportionate number of deaths, the foundation says.

For example, a growing number of elderly cyclists are in accidents involving no other vehicles or other bikes. This is because more older people are cycling and they are more vulnerable, the foundation says.

The SWOV has drawn up a list of 18 measures to improve road safety. As well as the introduction of helmets, they include the use of speed limiters in satnav systems, a doubling of the number of drink-drive checks, better cycle lanes and cycle lane street lighting, and safety improvements on roads with a 50 kph or 80 kph limit.