German accident statistics show more deaths on highways. A broad alliance demands immediate speed limit.
On German roads, eight people die per day, with recent increases in fatalities particularly on highways. Organizations from environmental groups to police unions are urging a re-consideration of the long-debated speed limit.
In Germany, the discussion about implementing a speed limit on highways (Autobahn) has been ongoing for years. Unlike many other countries, Germany does not have a general speed limit on certain sections of its highways, which has been a point of contention due to safety and environmental concerns.
The number of traffic deaths increased even more in 2023 than previously thought. According to final figures from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, 2,839 people died in road traffic accidents last year. This was 51 more deaths than in 2022. “On average, eight people were killed on German roads per day in 2023,” the statisticians reported on Friday in Wiesbaden. The number of accidents with human injury on highways notably rose by 7.5% to 19,000. In these accidents, 302 people died. Speeding was identified as the primary cause in 43% of these cases. On country roads, where the highest number of traffic fatalities still occur, other factors such as oncoming traffic or unprotected obstacles like trees also played a significant role.
Also on July 5, 2024, a broad alliance of organizations in Berlin called for the immediate introduction of a general speed limit in Germany – for both increased climate protection and safer traffic.
Germany’s environmental and safety organizations have long advocated for a speed limit to reduce carbon emissions and enhance road safety. The debate often pits environmental and safety concerns against cultural and economic arguments, with some seeing the lack of a speed limit as a symbol of freedom and driving enjoyment.
“The climate targets for 2030 are clearly set to be missed and the high number of traffic deaths in Germany has recently risen again,” the environmental and traffic safety organizations, along with the North Rhine-Westphalia police union, criticized the federal government for maintaining its opposition. Many other European countries have tightened existing speed limits. The SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany), Greens Party, and FDP (Free Democratic Party) excluded a general speed limit in their 2021 coalition agreement but have continued to debate the issue.
The coalition government formed by the SPD, Greens, and FDP has faced internal disagreements over various issues, including the speed limit. While the Greens have been strong proponents of speed limits for environmental reasons, the FDP has often opposed them, citing individual freedom and economic impact.
Speed limit at 100 or 130
In addition to a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour on highways, the German Environmental Aid (DUH) as part of the alliance is also pushing to lower the maximum speed outside towns to 80 kilometers per hour and introduce a default speed of 30 kilometers per hour in cities. These measures could save more than 11 million tons of CO₂ annually, said DUH’s federal managing director, Jürgen Resch. The DUH (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, or German Environmental Aid) is a prominent environmental organization in Germany, often involved in legal and advocacy efforts to promote environmental protection. Speed limits are seen as a straightforward method to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
The amendment to the Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsordnung, StVO), which was discussed in the Bundesrat on Friday, does not go far enough for Resch. Nevertheless, cities must consistently use the new possibilities. The reform includes provisions for authorities to more easily impose 30 kilometers per hour speed limits – for example, to close gaps between existing 30 km/h zones or in front of playgrounds and busy school routes. “Consistent implementation can make our cities at least somewhat safer, quieter, and cleaner,” said Resch. More than 1,000 municipalities and the German Association of Cities have called for the ability to decide locally on a blanket 30 km/h speed limit, which the reform does not provide.
Not all members of the alliance agreed with DUH’s demand for speed limits of 100/80/30. Others focused on enforcing a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour on German highways, such as the German Road Accident Victims’ Aid. “Various studies have shown that slowing down traffic significantly reduces fatal accidents and severely injured road users,” explained their chairwoman, Silke von Beesten.
Michael Mertens of the North Rhine-Westphalia police union also sees a speed limit as important in the context of the shift to electric mobility: Without a dramatic reduction in range, electric vehicles cannot travel at speeds over 130 km/h. “This changes the traffic flow on highways, and significantly faster vehicles pose an increasing accident risk.”
More victims on foot
In 2023, the police recorded a total of 2.5 million traffic accidents on Germany’s roads, an increase of 4.7% from the previous year. In 2.2 million of these accidents, only property damage occurred. In about 292,000 traffic accidents, people were injured or killed, with 70% of these incidents happening within urban areas. However, the majority of traffic fatalities – nearly 58% – were on country roads.
1,192 people died as car occupants, 550 on motorcycles. The number of pedestrians killed rose by 18.8% compared to the previous year, reaching 437. Slightly more people died on bicycles, with 446 fatalities, representing a decrease of 5.9% from 2022. However, over the long term since 2010, the number of cyclist fatalities has increased by 17% – against the general trend: overall, 22% fewer traffic fatalities were recorded than back then.
The increase in pedestrian fatalities is alarming and calls for enhanced safety measures for vulnerable road users. The long-term increase in cyclist fatalities despite an overall decrease in traffic deaths reflects the growing popularity of cycling in Germany and the need for better cycling infrastructure and safety measures. The general decrease in traffic fatalities over the long term suggests that some safety interventions have been effective.
