Road traffic accidents involving children remain a serious concern in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), around 27,260 children under the age of 15 were injured in traffic accidents in 2024. This figure is almost unchanged from 2023, when 27,240 children were reported injured. However, the number of fatalities increased: 53 children were killed in 2024, up from 44 in 2023. On average, this means that every 19 minutes a child was either injured or killed in a road traffic accident last year.
The statistics show a concerning trend. During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the number of children injured and killed in road accidents fell significantly. Reduced mobility and fewer school commutes during lockdowns contributed to this drop. However, since 2022, the numbers have started to climb again. In both 2022 and 2023, child injuries and fatalities increased, and the trend continued into 2024 with more children losing their lives on the roads.
The data highlights that children aged 6 to 14 are especially at risk during school commute times. Out of the 21,870 children in this age group who were involved in accidents in 2024, a significant 13 percent of cases occurred between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., Monday to Friday. This is the typical period when children travel to school.
Accident rates fall somewhat in the late morning hours up until 1:00 p.m. However, there are again noticeable peaks in the afternoon: 9 percent of accidents took place between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., and another 9 percent between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. These time frames coincide with the hours when many children are returning from school or heading to extracurricular activities.
The statistics also underline differences in accident involvement between age groups. In 2024, 35 percent of children involved in accidents were traveling by car, 33 percent were riding bicycles, and 21 percent were walking when the accidents occurred.
For children under the age of 6, the majority of accidents happened while they were passengers in cars, often accompanied by adults. In fact, 58 percent of children under six who were involved in accidents were in cars. At this young age, children rarely travel independently, which explains why car accidents dominate their accident statistics.
As children grow older and begin to move around independently, the patterns shift. Among 6- to 14-year-olds, the largest proportion of accidents occurred while riding bicycles. Thirty-eight percent of accidents in this age group involved cyclists, while 29 percent involved children in cars and 20 percent occurred when they were walking. This trend reflects the increasing independence of school-aged children. Many use bicycles for their daily commute to school or leisure activities, which raises their exposure to road traffic risks. The statistics also show a clear connection between age, mobility, and accident type.
The data reinforces a clear pattern: the journey to school and back home is one of the most dangerous times for children on the roads. Early morning, especially between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., sees the highest accident risk for schoolchildren. Afternoon times between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. also show elevated risk levels, coinciding with when children leave school, travel to sports clubs, or meet friends. These recurring time windows underline the importance of road safety measures, particularly around schools, bicycle routes, and pedestrian crossings.
The 2024 accident statistics highlight the ongoing risks children face in road traffic across Germany. While the overall number of injuries remained stable compared to the previous year, the rise in fatalities is a worrying development. The concentration of accidents during school commute times underlines the need for targeted road safety awareness, especially in the morning and afternoon hours. As the numbers remain high and fatalities increase, the data paints a clear picture: traffic safety for children remains a pressing challenge.
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