The Federal Statistical Office has published the official traffic accident statistics for 2024, revealing that an average of eight people lost their lives each day on German roads last year. Despite a slight decrease in overall fatalities compared to 2023, traffic accidents remain a significant public safety concern.
Key Traffic Accident Statistics for Germany 2024
- Daily Fatalities: On average, eight people died every day due to traffic accidents, totaling 2,770 fatalities nationwide in 2024.
- Injuries: Approximately 365,000 individuals sustained injuries in traffic collisions, a decrease of about 1,600 from the previous year.
- Total Accidents: Police recorded around 2.51 million traffic accidents, a marginal decline of 0.3% from 2023's 2.52 million incidents.
- Property Damage: In 2.22 million of these cases, only vehicle or property damage occurred without personal injury.
Fatalities Among Vulnerable Groups
- Children: 53 children under 15 years old died in traffic accidents, up from 44 in 2023.
- Seniors: Traffic fatalities among seniors (aged 65 and above) increased by 30 to 1,101 deaths. This group now accounts for 40% of all traffic fatalities. Among seniors, 434 died as car occupants, 135 in electric bicycle accidents, and 150 in conventional bicycle crashes.
- Urban Pedestrians and Cyclists: In urban areas, 62% of those killed were pedestrians or cyclists, highlighting high vulnerability in city traffic. Notably, 23 of the 27 fatal e-scooter accidents occurred in urban settings.
Causes of Fatal Accidents
- Speeding: Excessive speed remains the leading cause of fatal crashes, involved in 30% of all traffic deaths, where drivers either exceeded speed limits or drove too fast for road conditions.
- Alcohol: Alcohol contributed to 35,100 accidents, causing 198 fatalities, a slight decrease compared to the previous year.
High-Risk Road Zones
- Rural Roads: The majority of fatalities (57%) occurred on rural roads outside built-up areas, where higher speeds and hazards like trees and lack of median separation increase risk.
- Urban Areas: Urban accidents accounted for 33% of fatalities, with particular risks for non-motorized road users.
- Motorways: Motorway accidents caused 10% of fatalities.
Trends
According to the Federal Statistical Office, 2024’s traffic fatalities represent the third-lowest annual total since records began, only surpassed by the reduced numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. Despite improvements, the rise in fatalities among elderly road users and vulnerable urban travelers signals ongoing challenges.
