German drivers are less and less in control
Every driver has been there: someone cuts you off, tailgates you or doesn't let you change lanes. For more and more Germans, this is a reason to freak out, as a survey shows. What's more, many road users' perceptions of themselves and others differ significantly.
According to the perception of road users, things are becoming increasingly aggressive on Germany's roads. This is the result of a survey conducted by Unfallforschung der Versicherer (UDV) in Berlin, according to a press release. Half of those surveyed stated that they at least occasionally had to react immediately after getting into trouble. In 2016, only just under half as many said this.
According to the survey, one in five drivers has used the headlight flasher in the overtaking lane to get out of trouble. The comparable figure for 2016 was also only around half as high. Around 31% also stated that they occasionally step on the gas pedal when being overtaken.
"Accepting the injury or even death of others out of anger or for personal gain is completely unacceptable," explained UDV boss Siegfried Brockmann. "All those responsible must now discuss how the situation can be improved in light of the results."
According to the study, most road users recognize aggression as a problem, but most lack awareness of their own involvement in it. Self-perception and external perception are far apart.
Mistakes are always made by others
For example, 96 percent of all car drivers responded that they would overtake cyclists with sufficient distance. At the same time, however, they stated that they perceived 93 percent of other motorists to be too close.
The self-perception of cyclists was similarly poor: Just under half of them admitted to occasionally swerving onto the sidewalk, but observed this behavior in 92 percent of other cyclists.
Nevertheless, the majority of road users in Germany feel safe or very safe on the roads. The figure increased slightly from 55% in 2019 to 56%. In general, men feel much safer, with a share of 64%, than women with 49%.
One in two is in favor of a speed limit
The most popular measure to improve the safety situation is a zero speed limit with regard to alcohol consumption - 68% of respondents wanted this. However, this figure was eight percentage points higher in 2019.
66% were in favor of mandatory eye tests every 15 years. A speed limit of 130 km/h on freeways was supported by 53% of respondents.
Despite the high percentage of drivers supporting a zero alcohol speed limit, many continue to drive under the influence, as indicated by a surge in the use of headlight flasher in overtaking lanes among drunk drivers, according to the survey. In fact, one in five drivers admitted to using the headlight flasher to escape trouble, a figure that has doubled since 2016.
Source: www.ntv.de
