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Accident Statistics: Eight Traffic Fatalities per Day, Increasing Trend, Corona Effect Fizzled Out
The number of road fatalities increased even more in 2023 than initially estimated. According to final figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 2,839 people were killed in road traffic accidents last year. The preliminary figures had estimated 2,830 fatalities. This means there were 51 more deaths in 2023 than in 2022, not 42 as indicated in the preliminary figures from February. "On average, eight people were killed on German roads every day in 2023," reported the statisticians in Wiesbaden. The final evaluation of the accident statistics includes numerous details:
- Accident numbers: The police recorded a total of 2.5 million road traffic accidents in 2023. This was 4.7 percent more than in 2022. In 2.2 million accidents, property damage was the only result. The number of accidents with property damage increased by more than five percent, while the number of accidents with personal injury grew by less than one percent.
- Injuries: 366,557 people were injured on the roads in 2023: an increase of 1.5 percent. 313,655 people suffered minor injuries, while 52,902 were seriously injured. Compared to 2022, the number of seriously injured people fell by 8.4 percent. On average, 145 people were seriously and 859 slightly injured each day in 2023.
- Alcohol: Alcohol was a factor in 37,172 accidents last year. This was 4.1 percent fewer than in 2022; however, the number was still higher than the levels seen from 2014 to 2021.
- Accident locations: Where is traffic most dangerous? 58 percent of the fatalities occurred on rural roads, nearly 32 percent in urban areas, and almost 11 percent on highways.
- Means of transportation: 1,192 people were killed in cars in 2023. 550 people died in motorcycle accidents. 446 were cycling (190 of them on an e-bike). 437 were pedestrians, and 115 were in trucks.
Expert's opinion: "The figures show that the Corona effect has completely dissipated," says Kirstin Zeidler, head of the insurers' accident research department. During the pandemic, the number of accidents had significantly decreased because fewer people were on the move. Now, the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths is rising again. How can we reverse this negative trend? The expert sees several areas that are worth examining more closely.
Risk Focus 1: Pedestrians - more central islands, traffic lights, and crosswalks
Most accidents involving pedestrians happen while crossing the roadway, said the accident researcher. From her perspective, what would help are more central islands, crosswalks, and traffic lights at all locations where many people cross the street, and fewer cars parked on the roadside obstructing the view. In her opinion, particular attention should be given to the needs of older people for short routes.
Risk Focus 2: Cyclists - more cyclists, no more infrastructure
"Bicycle traffic is growing, but the infrastructure is lagging behind," said Zeidler. Most accidents involving cyclists occur at intersections, with the most severe happening when trucks turn and fail to see the cyclist. From her point of view, the new turning assistants are "an excellent development." Zeidler sees another significant lever at traffic lights: If there were no simultaneous green lights for straight-moving cyclists and turning cars, the number of accidents would be reduced.
Risk Focus 3: Car drivers - one third too fast
In every third fatal road accident on country roads, one of the involved parties was driving too fast, according to the statistics. Other risk factors include a lack of separation from oncoming traffic, poor overtaking opportunities, or unprotected obstacles such as trees next to the roadway. Accident researcher Zeidler adds another point: inattentiveness and distraction.
Translated automatically from German.
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