Skip to main content

Data shows Germany road safety boost

Preliminary data suggests road deaths dropped by 6% in 2021 compared to figures for 2020
By Mike Woof March 31, 2022 Read time: 1 min
There were 2,570 road-related fatalities in Germany in 2021, the lowest rate for over 60 years (© Vondetraumer | Dreamstime.com)

The latest data on crash statistics and road fatalities for Germany shows a marked improvement in casualty rates for 2021.

The preliminary data paints a positive picture, with road deaths dropping by 6% compared to the figures for 2020. The data is of note as it compares a similar picture to France and the UK for example, where casualty rates have also been reduced.

This contrasts strongly with the US also, where road casualty rates actually increased during the pandemic.

There were 2,570 road related fatalities in Germany in 2021, the lowest rate of road deaths for over 60 years. While distances travelled have dropped during the pandemic period, it is of note that more people drove during 2021 than in 2020, so the data reflects a strong overall improvement in road safety in Germany.

Further analysis of the crash data will give greater insight into how this safety improvement has been achieved as more comprehensive information becomes available. It is of note that DUI offences, alcohol in particular but also misuses of drugs, have been an issue in some parts of Germany in the past. Whether this has also been reduced remains to be seen.
 

Related Content

  • February 3, 2017
    Lack of progress in reducing drink-drive deaths has gone on too long says IAM RoadSmart
    The UK’s independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has expressed disappointment in yet another year of no significant change in the levels of drink-driving in Britain, based on new Government statistics just announced. The Department for Transport announced that provisional estimates for 2015 show 220 deaths in alcohol related crashes. Some 1,380 people were killed or seriously injured when at least one driver was over the limit. This represents a statistically significant rise from 1,310 in 2014. In
  • April 25, 2012
    Road safety - the challenge ahead
    More than 1.3 million people die in road accidents each year. If nothing is done, this already chilling figure risks to rise to 1.9 million deaths per year. Around 90 per cent of road fatalities occur in emerging and developing countries. Here, the mixture of population growth and higher numbers of vehicles due to rising incomes are proving a deadly combination, as infrastructure and regulatory environment have difficulty keeping pace.
  • February 3, 2017
    Brake calls for action as road casualty figures rise
    Brake, the UK road safety charity, is calling on the government to take action to reduce the numbers killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads. In recent years road safety policy has been diminished by a lack of interest, urgency and resources, the consequences of which are becoming increasingly apparent as our road casualty figures begin to rise. Brake is calling on the government to act now to uphold its commitment to zero road deaths and injuries on the road. Road casualty figures just released
  • March 15, 2012
    Enforcement suppliers highlight industry best practice
    Major suppliers of enforcement technology highlight the countries, regions or cities that they consider to be leading the way in reduction of road traffic violations. The French government’s ambitious programme of enforcing traffic law violations has proven to be an unrivalled success and is continuing to bring improvements in road safety with innovative enforcement technology.