Germany: Increase in Road Traffic Fatalities in 2025 Amid Record Low Number of Seriously Injured

Preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) for 2025 indicates a concerning upward trend in road traffic safety in Germany. After years of systematic declines, the number of fatalities increased by 44 people, reaching 2,814 deaths. Experts from TÜV and accident researchers suggest the country is moving away from achieving the goals of "Vision Zero," the complete elimination of fatal traffic accidents. Although the overall number of road incidents hovers around 2.5 million annually, the number of accidents involving human casualties has increased. Particularly alarming data is coming from the northeastern states. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern recorded the highest fatality rate, at 60 deaths per million inhabitants, significantly exceeding the national average (34 per million). In Brandenburg, this rate was 50 people. Meanwhile, in Bavaria, despite an overall increase in the number of victims to 507 people, a positive trend was noted in the form of a decrease in the number of killed cyclists. Police in Brandenburg emphasize that the main cause of tragedies remains excessive speed, especially on roads outside built-up areas. A positive aspect of the statistics is a 4% decrease in the number of seriously injured persons, to 48,400. This is the lowest figure recorded since 1991, which may indicate improved vehicle structural safety and more effective medical rescue. However, the sharp increase in fatalities among e-scooter users (by 25%) and among mopeds and scooters with insurance plates (by 28%) is concerning. Germany has been striving to improve road safety for decades; in the 1970s, nearly 20,000 people died annually on West German roads. The introduction of mandatory seat belts, airbags, and rigorous crash tests allowed for a radical reduction in these numbers. The situation in city-states is decidedly better than in agricultural regions. In Berlin, the fatality rate was only 10 people per million inhabitants, and in Hamburg, 11. This results from dense development, lower speed limits, and developed public transport infrastructure, which limits the risk of the most severe collisions. „507 Verkehrstote sind immer noch viel zu viel. Jeder einzelne Tote ist einer zu viel.” — Bavarian Minister of the Interior (CSU)