Number of road deaths increases more than expected
There are once again more accidents, more injured, and more dead on German roads. The traffic on rural roads is particularly dangerous. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 58 percent of the fatalities occur on these roads. A expert lists the risk areas.
The number of traffic fatalities in 2023 has increased significantly more than initially assumed. According to final figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 2,839 people died in road traffic accidents in the previous year. The statisticians had expected 2,830 fatalities based on preliminary data. Therefore, there were 51 more deaths in 2023 than in 2022 – not 42, as indicated in preliminary data from February. "On average, eight people were killed every day on German roads in 2023," reported the statisticians in Wiesbaden.
Details:
Accident Statistics
The police recorded a total of 2.5 million traffic accidents in 2023, which is 4.7 percent more than in 2022. In 2.2 million accidents, it remained damage to property. The number of accidents with body damage increased by more than five percent, while the number of accidents with personal injury grew less than one percent.
Injured
366,557 people were injured on the roads in 2023: an increase of 1.5 percent. 313,655 people were lightly injured, 52,902 were seriously injured. The number of seriously injured people decreased by 8.4 percent compared to 2022. On average, 145 people were seriously injured and 859 lightly injured every day in 2023.
Alcohol
Alcohol was involved in 37,172 accidents in the previous year. That was 4.1 percent fewer than in 2022. However, the number was above the level of the years 2014 to 2021.
Accident Sites
Where is traffic the most dangerous? Fifty-eight percent of the fatalities occurred on rural roads, in built-up areas it was almost 32 percent, and on autobahns almost 11 percent.
Victims
1,192 people died in a car in 2023. 550 people died on a motorcycle. 446 were on a bicycle (190 of whom had an electric bicycle). 437 were pedestrians, 115 were in a truck.
The expert says:
"The figures show that the Corona effect has finally been used up," says Kirstin Zeidler, head of accident research for insurers. During the pandemic, traffic accidents were significantly lower due to fewer people being on the roads. Now, the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities is rising again. How can the negative trend be reversed? The expert sees several points where it is worth looking more closely.
Risk Focus 1: Pedestrians
Most accidents involving pedestrians occur when crossing the road, said the accident researcher. In her opinion, the following would help: more median islands, zebra crossings, and traffic lights at all places where many people cross the road, and fewer cars on the roadside, which obstruct the view. Above all, she emphasizes the needs of older people in terms of short routes.
"Cycling traffic is growing, but the infrastructure is lagging behind," said Zeidler. Most accidents involving cyclists occur at intersections, the most severe ones when trucks turn and fail to see the cyclist. New turning assistants are seen as "an excellent development" from their perspective. Another major lever Zeidler sees is at traffic lights: If it doesn't give the green light for cyclists and turning cars at the same time, it would reduce the number of accidents.
Risk focus 3: Drivers
In one out of every third fatal traffic accident on rural roads, one of the parties involved was driving too fast, according to the statistics. Other risk factors: a lack of separation from oncoming traffic, poor overtaking opportunities, or unprotected obstacles such as trees by the roadside. Accident researcher Zeidler adds another point: Distraction and inattention.
The rise in traffic fatalities is a global concern, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in their analysis of international traffic accident data. In 2023, Germany saw 2,839 road traffic fatalities, which is 51 more than the initially predicted figure.
Collaborating with international agencies, the Federal Statistical Office collects data on traffic accidents, providing valuable insights for reducing road casualties worldwide.
